It’s fitting that Ilias Lalaounis (1920–2013) is the only jeweler ever inducted into the prestigious Académie des Beaux-Arts — the Greek jeweler’s creations, such as his decorative gold necklaces and rings, are less fashion adornment and more works of art.
Lalaounis was born in Athens in 1920 to a family of goldsmiths and watchmakers with origins in Delphi. Before turning to the family business, Lalaounis studied law, economics, business and music and trained with the painter Alexandros Alexandrakis. Such a well-rounded education laid the foundation for his unique approach to jewelry.
Lalaounis took the helm of his uncle’s jewelry company in 1940. The impact of the Second World War on Greece inspired the jeweler to celebrate his country’s history by reinterpreting its artifacts into new works of art. In 1957, Lalaounis founded the Greek Jewelers’ Association and exhibited at the Thessaloniki International Fair, showcasing the first of his “collections,” as he would come to define his phases of work. This, the Archaeological Collection, was informed by classical and Hellenistic history.
Lalaounis would go on to find new ways to render historic motifs in gold and gemstones after founding his namesake house in 1969. For his 1970s-era collection, Blow Up, he displayed gold pieces inspired by Minoan art on his models’ entire bodies; after opening a store in Tokyo, he presented a collection informed by Japanese art. Later, Lalaounis introduced a collection inspired by Native Americans at his Madison Avenue store in Manhattan. One of the jeweler’s most important commissions came in 1976, when he designed a collection that drew on Persian art for Empress Farah of Iran.
In 1984, Lalaounis explored his unique creative vision with a book, Metamorphoses. By the 1990s, he had stores across Europe as well as in Tokyo, Hong Kong and New York City, and his work had been exhibited at the National Museum of American History and the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, to name a few. In 1994, he founded his own eponymous museum in Athens, with a permanent collection of pieces from 45 of his collections. Lalaounis died in 2013.
Lalaounis’s research-driven approach to jewelry design gives his pieces a depth on par with any art form.
Find an ornate assortment of Ilias Lalaounis’s yellow-gold necklaces, rings and more on 1stDibs.
Vintage Ilias Lalaounis Greek Jewellery Box
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage jewellery presentation box by the celebrated Greek house of Ilias Lalaounis. Compact rectangular form in a pale cream finish with a fitted velvet interior. Ilias Lalaounis is one of the most respected Greek jewellery...
$8,400Sale Price|20% Off
Cartier Vintage 18K Case Box, Unisex Collectors Item
By Cartier
Located in Bangkok, Thailand
A collectors item. Signature: Cartier Paris, French assay marks Metal: 18 karat yellow gold Dimensions: 4.0cm x 2.7cm x 0.8cm Gross weight: 19.4g
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold Lapis Lazuli Pill Box
Located in London, GB
A vintage 18 karat yellow gold lapis lazuli pill box, circa 1970 A sweet pill box of rectangular shape both the lid and base of the box are set with cabochon lapis lazuli gently fle...
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18 Karat Yellow Gold Oval Personal Luxury Pill Box
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Finely finished and made of 18 Karat yellow gold, this luxury oval pill box is a fine adornment for any vanity or to carry personal accoutrements. Oval in shape, measuring approximat...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$1,243
H 3 in W 4.62 in L 7.25 in
Vintage Borghetti Ugo Fabrica Argenteria Italy 800 Silver Malachite Box #21688
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Large 800 silver box with malachite stone accent and gold wash interior by Borghetti Ugo Fabrica Argenteria of Italy. No monogram or engraving A large and beautifully ornate hinged...
Malachite, Silver
Vintage Canadian 14 Carat Gold Box, Circa 1935
Located in London, GB
A vintage, 14ct gold box, with four, engine turned sides, alternating with a ribbon and wreath pattern on the cut corners, terminating with reeded bars called "ribbon and reed" patte...
Gold
Mario Buccellati Vintage Diamond Gold Compact Box
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Miami, FL
This Mario Buccellati vintage diamond 18K yellow gold compact box from 1940's features a diamond accent closure in 18K white gold with rose-cut diam...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Cartier Paris Vintage Gold Tone Brown Tortoiseshell Style Lighter with Box
By Cartier
Located in Fairfax, VA
Vintage Cartier Paris lighter featuring a rectangular gold-tone metal body with distinctive mottled brown tortoiseshell-style panels. Polished gold-tone borders frame the decorative...
Gold
Cartier Paris Vintage Silver Tone Metal Lighter with Box
By Cartier
Located in Fairfax, VA
Vintage Cartier Paris lighter featuring a classic rectangular form with a silver-tone metal finish. The clean and understated design reflects the refined styling of Cartier's vintag...
Silver
Vintage Limoges Hand Painted Porcelain Trinket Box, Artisan Style
By Limoges 2
Located in Arnhem, NL
A vintage Limoges France handpainted rectangular porcelain trinket box. The box features multicolored floral ornaments on white and royal blue background. The box is braced with a gi...
Brass
Vintage 1960s Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling Miniature Pill Box
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
A rare vintage Tiffany & Co. miniature dairy can pill box, crafted in polished sterling silver circa 1960s. The compact cylindrical form features gently stepped shoulders, raised...
Sterling Silver
Antique Royal Blue Velvet Rectangular Jewellery Box, Cream Velvet & Silk Lining
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An Antique jewellery box covered with the original vibrant Royal blue velvet material. The box is rectangular in shape, opens on a hinge with a push-button, and flips up from front t...
Vintage Bilston & Battersea Enamel Christmas Box 1979
Located in Wilmslow, GB
The perfect keepsake. A Vintage Bilston & Battersea Enamel 1979 Christmas Box. Crafted in glass enamel and gold plate. In very good vintage condition. Approx. 4cms wide. A wonderful ...
Vintage Figural J. E. Caldwell Apple Shaped Sterling Silver Covered Box
By J.E. Caldwell & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A terrific apple shaped covered box. In sterling silver and marked for J. E. Caldwell. A wonderful vintage box with great design! Date: 20th Century Overall Condition: It is in o...
Sterling Silver
$90,000Sale Price|25% Off
Tiffany & Co. Vintage Yellow Gold Jewelry Box
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
This is a beautiful Tiffany and co gold jewelry box made in 15 karat yellow gold. This jewelry box is gorgeous and unique. Measurements: length : 6.5 inch width : 3.5 inch depth :...
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Large Vintage Burgundy Garrard & Co Jewellery Box, Ivory Satin & Cream Velvet
By Garrard & Co. Ltd.
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A large vintage jewellery box covered with the original dark red leather, with a plain gilded border. It is square in shape, which by way of a push button, opens on a hinge, and flip...