Ilias Lalaounis Sodalite Gold Beads Necklace, circa 1980
View Similar Items
Ilias Lalaounis Sodalite Gold Beads Necklace, circa 1980
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Weight:46.64 g
- Dimensions:Length: 21.5 in (546.1 mm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1980
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: SPT11361stDibs: LU73332879333
Ilias Lalaounis
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.
- Boucheron Gold Leather 'Nautilus' NecklaceBy BoucheronLocated in London, GBA very smart necklace by Boucheron Paris designed as gold stirrups separated by dark brown leather cords. Adapted from an original 'Nautilus Theme' necklace, the worn out jute sectio...Category
20th Century French Link Necklaces
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- French Sapphire Gold Ring, circa 1950Located in London, GBA 18 carat yellow gold ring of French manufacture designed as ridges of gold balls rising around the shank to meet a flat plaque set with 16 natural, unheated round-cut sapphires wei...Category
Vintage 1950s French Cocktail Rings
MaterialsSapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- French 18K Rose Gold Fancy Link Chain NecklaceLocated in London, GBA French 18 karat (18K) rose gold chain necklace featuring fancy-shaped links connected by oval-shaped links to a box clasp. Stamped with a partial French eagle’s head for 18 karat g...Category
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
- Diamond Gold Fallen Leaf Ring, circa 1950Located in London, GBA fabulous dome ring designed as wirework strands of golden grass supporting a pavé set diamond leaf with a twisted gold central vein. The perfect ring ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Dome Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
- French Sapphire Diamond Bombe Gold Ring, circa 1950Located in London, GBMade in 18 carat gold with rhodium plating, this ring is all curves. Set with 40 brilliant cut diamonds spotted with eight cabochon sapphires around a larger central sapphire weighin...Category
Vintage 1950s French Dome Rings
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Rhodium
- French Sellier Virgin Mary 18K Yellow Gold Enamel Pearl Pendant NecklaceLocated in London, GBAn 18 karat (18K) yellow gold pendant designed as a medal depicting the Virgin Mary with plique-a-jour enamel, a rose-cut diamond and surrounded by 46 natural seed pearls. Signed Sel...Category
20th Century French Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsPearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
- Ilias Lalaounis Carved Bead Ball Yellow Gold NecklaceBy Ilias LalaounisLocated in Holland, PA18k Yellow Gold Carved Bead Ball Necklace by Ilias Lalaounis Greece. Details: Length 16" Weight: 102.4 grams Each Bead: 6.5mm Total Width: 17.5mm Hallmark...Category
20th Century Greek Multi-Strand Necklaces
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Ilias Lalaounis NecklaceBy Ilias LalaounisLocated in PARIS, FRILIAS LALAOUNIS 22Kt yellow gold hand hammered necklace modeled as two stylized snakes with their head overlapping, stamped "A.21, K22", with ma...Category
Late 20th Century Choker Necklaces
- Vintage Sodalite Gold NecklaceLocated in Chesterland, OHThe length of the necklace is 30 inches (76 cm). The size of the smooth round sodalite beads is 8 mm, the size of the large 14K gold beads is 7.7 mm, and the small 14K gold beads are...Category
Late 20th Century American Retro Beaded Necklaces
MaterialsGold, 14k Gold
- Lalaounis Greece Gold Sodalite Pendant NecklaceBy Ilias LalaounisLocated in New York, NY22k yellow gold necklace by Ilias Lalaounis, with cross pendant, set with sodalite stones. Necklace is 26" long, pendant - 45mm x 45mm. Marked...Category
20th Century Greek More Necklaces
MaterialsGold
- Lalaounis 18 Karat Gold Sodalite Choker NecklaceBy Ilias LalaounisLocated in Palm Desert, CAIlias Lalaounis 18 Karat Gold Sodalite Collar/Choker Necklace. This unique 8mm wide hinged choker features a single 10mm sodalite blue bead set in one of...Category
Late 20th Century Greek Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Materials18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
- Ilias Lalaounis Gold Bead Necklace Rrom the 'Minoan and Mycenaean' CollectionBy Ilias LalaounisLocated in London, GBA stylish gold bead necklace by Lalaounis, c.1960s, the necklace from the Minoan and Mycenaean collection, designed as a row of alternating fluted or textured barrel shape beads with...Category
Mid-20th Century Greek Drop Necklaces
Materials18k Gold