LALAOUNIS 1970 Modernist Clips-On Earrings In 22Kt Yellow Gold With Sodalites
Clips-on earrings designed by Ilias Lalaounis.
This is a fabulous and very rare pair of clips-on earrings, created in Greece by the jewelry house of Ilias Lalaounis, back in the 1970's. These beautiful vintage earrings have been carefully crafted in the ancient Magna Graecia artistic style in solid rich yellow gold of 22 karats with hand-brushed and polished finishes. They are mounted with two round cabochons carved from natural blue sodalites and are fitted at the reverse with gold posts for pierced ears and comfortable French omega backs for fastening clips. 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.
Sodalite: The are mounted, with 2 round flat cabochon cuts carved from natural blue sodalites with a combined total weight of about 30 carats.
Birthstone: Sodalite for the month of September.
Weight: 30.30 Grams, (19.45 Dwt).
Measurements: 38 mm by 29 mm (1.50 x 1.14 Inches).
Hallmarks: They are both stamped with Greek marks; the maker's monogram mark of Lalaounis, the mark for the assay and warranty of the .916/.999 gold and signed in full as follows: "I LALAOUNIS A21 K22 GREECE".
Literature: Lalaounis. Ilias Lalaounis, Metamorphoses. Greece 1984. P-320-321 for similar patterns.
Collateral: This pair of Ilias Lalaounis 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 sodalites are well set in their mountings. This rare earring has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and the authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: E042525MOOE/.8908
