LALAOUNIS 1970 Carved Rock Quartz Nature Clips-On Earrings In 18Kt Yellow Gold
Clips-on earrings designed by Ilias Lalaounis.
This is a fabulous and very rare pair of clips-on earrings, created in Paris France by the Greek jewelry house of Ilias Lalaounis, back in the 1970's. These beautiful vintage earrings are part of the seashells collection and have been carefully crafted in the ancient Magna Graecia artistic style in solid rich yellow gold of 18 karats with hand-brushed finish. The entire surface is treated with hammered and chiseled finishes and they are fitted at the reverse with comfortable French omega backs for fastening clips and the addition of gold posts for pierced ears can be easily done. As a note jewelry pieces by Lalaounis, from this period are rare and very rare collector's item.
Ilias Lalaounis
He was a pioneer of Greek jewelry and an internationally renowned goldsmith. He is especially known for his collections inspired by Greek history. In 1990 he became the only jeweler ever to be inducted into the Académie des Beaux-Arts. Lalaounis started his career working for the jewelry business of his uncle, Xenophon Zolotas. In 1940 he took over the administration of the firm, which he managed and designed all jewelry for until 1968. He founded the Greek Jewelers' Association and exhibited his first collection, the Archaeological Collection, at the Thessaloniki International Fair in 1957. It was inspired by Classical, Hellenistic and Minoan Mycenaean art. In 1969 he started his own firm, Greek Gold - Ilias Lalaounis S.A. In 1994, he founded the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, located under the Acropolis, in the center of Athens. The permanent exhibition displays jewelry and micro-sculptures from forty-five collections, designed by Lalaounis in the period 1940–1992. Some special commissions are also kept on permanent display, such as the Olympic torch, designed by Ilias Lalaounis, used to start the Olympic torch rally before every Olympic Games.
Rock Quartz: The are mounted, with 2 free forms cabochon cuts carved from natural translucent rock quartzes with frosted finish
Weight: 26.95 Grams, (17.28 Dwt).
Measurements: 28 mm by 26 mm (1.10 x 1.06 Inches).
Hallmarks: They are both stamped with Greek and French marks; the maker's monogram mark of Lalaounis, the workshop mark Ste IL, associated to Societe Ilias Lalaounis, the Greek and French eagle for the assay and guaranty of the 18kt gold and signed in full as follow: "STE IL (ILIAS LALAOUNIS) LALAOUNIS A21 0.750 GREECE".
Literature: Lalaounis. Ilias Lalaounis, Metamorphoses. Greece 1984. P-320-321 for similar patterns.
Collateral: This pair of earrings is accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of these Lalaounis earrings is excellent. Besides the little normal wear, there is no discoloration or damage to the gold. The 2 rock quartzes are well set in their mountings. This rare earring has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and the authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: E120124AAEM/.6478
