Vintage Ilias Lalaounis Snake 18 Karat Yellow Gold Clip Earrings, Circa 1970
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Dimensions:Width: 0.99 in (25 mm)Depth: 0.4 in (10 mm)Length: 1.58 in (40 mm)
- Style:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1970
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Cartier Vintage 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Clip EarringsBy CartierLocated in London, GBCartier vintage 18 karat yellow and white gold clip earrings. A unique pair of vintage Cartier bi-metal 18 karat gold earrings. Crafted in polished gold, featuring a striking desig...Category
1990s French Retro Clip-on Earrings
Materials18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
- Kutchinsky 18 Karat Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond Clip EarringsBy KutchinskyLocated in London, GBA pair of Kutchinsky 18 karat yellow gold sapphire and diamond clip earrings A fantastic statement pair of earrings, each designed as a floral cluster, the leaves of plain polished ...Category
Vintage 1960s British Retro Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
- Retro Hermès Shell Earrings 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Circa 1950By HermèsLocated in London, GBA retro pair of Hermès shell earrings in 18 karat yellow gold, circa 1950. This rare and unusual retro pair of Hermès earrings each feature an elegant sw...Category
Vintage 1950s French Retro Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Hermès 18 Karat Yellow Gold Rope Twist Hoop Earrings, Circa 1960By HermèsLocated in London, GBA pair of Hermès 18 karat yellow gold rope twist hoop earrings, circa 1960. Each vintage earring is designed as a double row of finely twisted polished gold. They are secured to the...Category
Vintage 1960s French Retro Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Pearl and 18 Karat Yellow Gold EarringsBy Van Cleef & ArpelsLocated in London, GBA pair of vintage Van Cleef & Arpels pearl and 18 karat yellow gold earrings, circa 1950. This elegant pair of earrings are designed as a spray of leaves in plain polished gold, eac...Category
Vintage 1950s French Retro Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsPearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage Hermès Stirrup 18 Karat Yellow Gold Money Clip, Circa 1950By HermèsLocated in London, GBA vintage Hermès stirrup 18 karat yellow gold money clip, circa 1950 This unusual mid-century 18 karat yellow gold equestrian Hermès money clip take...Category
Vintage 1950s French Retro Cufflinks
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Ilias Lalaounis Snake Earrings Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Clip on Signed JewelryBy Ilias LalaounisLocated in Torrance, CAStylish Ilias Lalaounis snake earrings crafted in 18 karat yellow gold. The finely detailed and bold earrings feature snakes coiled with tex...Category
Mid-20th Century Greek Modern Clip-on Earrings
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Ilias Lalaounis Vintage Cabochon Turquoise Gold Clip-On EarringsBy Ilias LalaounisLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA gorgeous pair of clip-on earring by Ilias Lalaounis. Made of 18k yellow gold, featuring cabochon turquoise. Stamped with Lalaounis maker's mark and a hallmark for 18k gold. Measure...Category
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsTurquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
- Ilias Lalaounis 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Ear Clips Wheat Motif Ear Clips EarringsBy Ilias LalaounisLocated in Perry, FLStunning Lalaounis 18k yellow gold and diamond ear clips in foliate motif design containing 10 round cut diamonds. The ear clips measure 1 1/8" long and are signed & stamped "A 21 750 Greece" (makers mark). Retails for $8000. Authenticity Guarantee: All of our items are guaranteed to be authentic designer items...Category
Early 2000s Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold
- 18 Karat Seashell Ear Clips by Ilias LalaounisBy Ilias LalaounisLocated in Brisbane, QLDThis exquisite pair of buttery gold ear clips were crafted by Greek jeweller Ilias Lalaounis in the 1970s. Cast as stylised seashells the pair have been crafted from 18 karat yellow ...Category
Vintage 1970s Greek Modernist Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage Ilias Lalaounis Ruby and Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold EarclipsBy Ilias LalaounisLocated in Zurich, ZollstrasseLalaounis ear clips in 18 K Gold set with 2 Ruby Cabochons and 8 brilliant cut Diamonds. They measure 2.50 cm by 1.60 cm . Stamped Lalaounis and gold ma...Category
Vintage 1980s Greek Hellenistic Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Ilias Lalaounis Oval Textured Gold EarringsBy Ilias LalaounisLocated in Atlanta, GAIlias Lalaounis adds rich texture and a geometric pattern to make this classic gold earring special. 1 1/8 inches in length.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Materials18k Gold