LALAOUNIS 1970 Greek Coffee-Tea Set In Hammered .900 Sterling Silver
A coffee & tea set designed by Ilias Lalaounis.
A stupendous and beautiful coffee and tea service created in Athens, Greece, by the iconic jewelry house Ilias Lalaounis, circa 1970. This rare and elegant set comprises four pieces, masterfully handcrafted in solid sterling silver .900/.999 fineness, combining hammered and polished finishes that reflect the maison’s signature aesthetic inspired by ancient Greek forms. The interiors of each piece are richly gilded in 24-karat gold, creating a striking contrast with the textured silver surfaces while also serving a functional purpose. The set remains in excellent condition, preserving its original beauty and craftsmanship. An exceptional example of mid-20th-century Greek design, this service embodies the artistic vision and superior workmanship for which Ilias Lalaounis is internationally celebrated.
Designer: Ilias Lalaounis.
Country: Athens, Greece.
Period: Mid-century, modernism, 1970.
Materials: .900/.999 silver and 24kt gild.
Weight: The four pieces combined are 1217.4 Grams, (780.30 Dwt).
Measurements: In general the tallest pieces is H. 196.35 mm by l. 149.9 mm by D. 110.75 mm (7.73 x 5.90 x 4.36 Inches).
Hallmarks: Each piece is stamped with the maker's mark associated to Lalaounis, the workshop mark IL-45, the Greek mark for the assay and warranty of the silver and signed in full as follows, "LALAOUNIS 900 IL-45".
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.
Literature: Ilias Lalaounis, Metamorphoses, book, in the Minoans and Mycenaeans Greece chapter, for similar pieces illustrated in the last chapter.
Condition: The overall condition of this Lalaounis set is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there are no damage to the silver. This set was carefully inspected to guarantee the condition & authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D042226SCEN/35.11 PP
