Balkan Brooches

Laurel leaves pendant designed by Claude Lalanne (1924-2019) for Zolotas. This is a beautiful three-dimensional convertible pendant-brooch, created by the French sculptor Claude Lalanne for Zolotas, back in the 1980's. This rare modernist sculptural pendant-brooch has been crafted in the shape of several laurel leaves in solid textured rich yellow gold of 18 karats. The level of textured detail on the leaves is exceptional, showing us their organic parts, such as the stems and veins. The surface of the leaves are treated with microscopic dots and pores similar to real natural leaves. The brooch is fitted at the reverse with concealed hinged pin with mechanical lock Note: We are offering in our other listings, the matching clips-on earrings in suite to this laurel leaves pendant-brooch. Weight: 24.5 Grams, (15.72 Dwt). Measurements: 54 mm by 45 mm (2.13 x 1.78 Inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with with the maker's mark, the mark for the assay of the 18kt gold, the Artist proof edition number and signed as follow, "Z22 EA-8 .750". Note: Likely from an authorized artist-proof edition of only 9 pieces. Claude Lalanne Was a French sculptor and designer most widely known for her work in the collaborative duo Les Lalanne with her husband, Francois-Xavier Lalanne. Claude Lalanne’s personal work often manifested itself in the form of decorative flora and fauna, drawing from Surrealism and Art Nouveau in her furniture pieces. The artist also created jewelry which were often molded from twisted flowers, leaves, and branches made in copper and gilt bronze. Her unique style of decorative design and fine art resonated with the fashion world with many of her pieces collected by leading fashion designers, including Yves Saint Laurent, the only artist he ever collaborated with throughout his career. Born Claude Dupeux in 1924 in Paris, France, Lalanne studied architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts and the École des Arts Décoratifs. She and her husband François-Xavier, who died in 2008, began working side by side during the early 1950s, creating design objects, including their famous sheep, under the business moniker Les Lalanne achieving both commercial and critical success. The school of Les Arts Décoratifs in Paris mounted a retrospective of the couple in 2010. Today, the work of Les Lalanne can be found in the collections of the Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. His collaboration with Zolotas in this period adds to the collections of this great Greek jewelry house with subtle creations of wearable art pieces. The color of gold is poured on the elegant surfaces of laurel leaves, which are transformed into long necklaces, rings, earrings, accompany belts and decorate gold chains for the ankles. The artist died at 93 years on April 10, 2019 in Fontainebleau, France. History of Zolotas The firm of Zolotas, was founded in Athens in 1895 by Efthimios Zolotas. The jewelry of Zolotas is very well known for their designs inspired by Greek antiquity. In the 1950, they made the decision to create the trademark and branches out into international markets. It was also during this era that the jewelry House of Zolotas began crafting what would become their ancient Greek signature style. In a gorgeous combination of modern and ancient styles. The high karat gold jewelry was fashioned using traditional techniques and motifs with contemporary flair. The symbols which had been sacred to the Greek culture some thousands of years prior were now manifested in ram, lion, snake and bull jewelry...

This rich 18k yellow gold vintage Lalaounis rams head brooch is a deft offering of this venerated maker's iconic genre. The very dramatic head with soaring horns and ruby eyes is lifelike, dimensional and extremely well detailed. The brooch measures 2 inches wide by 1 3/4 inches high by approximately 7/8 inch deep. The reverse is stamped Ilias Lalaounis, 750. A.21 and bears the makers touch mark. It is shown and sold with an unbranded, round braided gold necklace. Although the necklace is marked 585 indicating that it is 14K gold, it has been washed with an 18k gold wash to give a similar warm tone to the Lalaounis brooch...

Beautiful estate Lalaounis white pearl shell design brooch. Handmade in 18k yellow gold.

Amazing and beautiful Gold reproduction of the famous Agamemnon mask, a Mycenaean work, in 18k gold. The face is represented on a sheet of matte gold, whose details perfectly follow those of the original mask. On the back the gold takes on a shiny finish, and the contrast is found on one of the sides. It can be worn as a brooch or as a pendant. A perfect, original and elegant complement. About Agamemnon's mask The mask of Agamemnon...

One of a kind brooch or cameo-pendentif in 18kt gold and crystal by the renowned Greek goldsmith ILIAS LALAONIS. ILIAS LALAONIS said that he made pieces with soul, located at the foot of the Acropolis: Lalaounis' pieces impress and move. Born in Athens in 1920, Ilias Lalaounis was part of the fourth generation of a family of goldsmiths and watchmakers originally from the Delphi area. After studying Economics and Law at the University, he joined the family business that was named after his uncle, 'Zolotas', and of which his father was a partner. In 1940 he assumed the administration of the firm, which he directed and for which he designed all the jewelry until 1968, inaugurating his own company, Greek Gold – Ilias Lalaounis S.A. the following year. At first, he opened branches on several Greek islands but soon expanded also throughout Europe, the USA and Asia. Jewelry with a lot of history His passion for History, his avid curiosity, his religious beliefs and the love of nature that his father had transmitted to him were the main sources of inspiration for the 50 collections...

Elusive pictorial brooch designed by Ilias Lalaounis. A vintage three-dimensional piece, created in Greece by the house of Lalaounis, circa late 1970's. It was carefully crafted in solid rich yellow gold of 18 karats, with textured surfaces and suited with a horizontal hinged pin bar with a security lock. The image represented is that of a Greek village...

Lalaounis Cross Mandala Brooch, ca. 1950s/1960s An early brooch from the Greek designer Ilias Lalaounis, depicting a cross in the centre in multi-colo...

Circa 1980 Ilias Lalaounis Rams Head Brooch, measuring 1 7/8 X 1 7/8 inches and weighing 30.4 Grams, finely detailed with Gold chasing and texturin...

Accentuate any ensemble of yours with an eye-catching touch of luxurious glisten by accessorizing with this fascinating brooch that is presented by Ilias Lalaounis. The brooch is mas...

Accentuate any ensemble of yours with an eye-catching touch of luxurious glisten by accessorizing with this fascinating brooch that is presented by Ilias Lalaounis. The brooch is mas...

The majestic shape of an entwining snake is brilliantly carved from 18K yellow gold to achieve a realistic sight embellished with passionate rubies, while glistening diamonds are set...

Greek 18k yellow gold double swirl brooch, crafted by Ilias Lalaounis. Marked: 750, Lalaounis mark, Greece. Weight - 24.2 grams. Dimensions: length 1.38 inc...