ILIAS LALAOUNIS JEWELRY MUSEUM
THE PERMANENT COLLECTIONS
Ilias Lalaounis - In the Permanent Collections visitors can follow the life work of Ilias Lalaounis. Six sections display a selection of 4.500 pieces from the museum’s collections according to the vast inspirational sources of his work. These original artifacts were manufactured between 1940 – 2002 and displayed in special exhibitions worldwide to promote the artist in America, Europe, and Asia. Jewels and microsculptures cover the vast development of the revival of ancient goldsmithery techniques and new forms that Lalaounis developed for his vast clientele. His works are recognized across borders, as he brought back the fashion for yellow gold jewelry. His contribution was ultimately honored with the highest recognition as an Academician in the prestigious Academie des Beaux Arts, at the Institute de France in 1990.
The Museum also houses the archive of Ilias Lalaounis, with over 60.000 of his designs, goldsmithery rare tools and old machinery used in the workshop premises before the museum was established.
New Acquisitions and Donations- In the permanent collections visitors may also find historic and contemporary jewelry and decorative arts from private donations.
I. ILIAS LALAOUNIS
1 THE GOLDEN DAWN OF ART
Jewelry and microsculptures inspired by artifacts from Pre-history, the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, as well as archaeological treasures, such as the Treasure of Priam.
I.2 HISTORY OF GREEK JEWELRY
More than ten collections with modern designs inspired by the most important periods of ancient Greek art, from the Cycladic to the Byzantine period, show the exquisite craftsmanship that was performed to revive ancient designs in modern forms. The inspiration ranges from Minoan seal stones and Hellenistic tomb jewelry to the glorious architectural monuments of the Byzantine epoch. Two-dimensional wearable jewelry narrate the magnitude and richness of 3.500 years of Greek art history, presenting unique metalsmithing techniques that flourish with the supervision of Lalaounis in his workshops in the second half of the 20th century.
I.3 15 COLLECTIONS INSPIRED FROM THE ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF DIFFERENT CULTURES
From the early ’70s Lalaounis saw the expansion of his business in new markets around the globe. Each new Lalaounis Gallery in a different city became the impetus for new inspiration where his work was admired. The ancient cultures from the Far and Near East to the Vikings and to the Native American cultures, fifteen cultures were exclusively studied for months before a new collection of jewelry was unveiled.
I.4 NATURE
This section includes jewelry as well as objects, inspired by the natural environment, marine wealth, and the microcosm of insects. The use of minerals for many of Lalaounis’ works mark him as a successor of Carl Fabergé and René Lalique.
I.5 MODERN TECHNOLOGY
Collections in this section are inspired from Lalaounis’ research of new technological achievements in the fields of astronomy and medicine. His avidity for the beginnings of the Computer Age, the advantages of the electronic microscope and the electronic telescope, leading to new knowledge in the medical community and space research, make these collections must-sees for museum visitors and favorites for collectors worldwide.
I.6 SPECIAL COMMISSIONS
Commissions for individual works including the Olympic Torch and Swords for Members of the Academie des Beaux Arts are displayed in this section.
II. NEW ACQUISITIONS AND DONATIONS
The Permanent Collection includes jewelry and decorative arts donated from private collectors as well as from contemporary studio jewelers.
II.1 PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Private collections have been entrusted from permanent collections such as Greek traditional jewelry and dresses from the Iris Papamarkou Collection, Indian jewelry from the Eleni Merkati collection, historic textiles, pocket watches, French furniture, and other decorative arts.
II.2 THE INTERNATIONAL STUDIO JEWELRY COLLECTION
The International Studio Collection has recently begun to develop with the advice and contribution of Helen Drutt English. International works are entrusted to allow for the promotion and development of studio jewelry in a Museum which focuses on contemporary jewelry and returns encrypted by thousands of years of traditional forms. Works in the Museum today have been donated by international artists such as Debra Rapaport, Marjorie Schick, Bruno Martinazzi, Judy Onofrio, Petra Zimmermann, and by Greek artists such Christina Athanasoula, Sofia Zarari, Tina Karageorgi, Sofia Bahlava, Despoina Pantazopoulou, Vasilis Stamoulis, Vivi Touloumidi.
Opening Hours
Tuesdays, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 9.00 a.m. – 3.00 p.m.
Sunday: 11.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.
Mondays and National holidays the museum is closed.
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Admission
General Admission: 5.00€
Reduced Entrance: 4.00€
Students, senior Citizens, and Groups of 10 or more
Free Entrance
-Friends of ILJM
-Kids and young persons under 18
-People with special needs with their companion
-Archaeologists
-Teachers
-Artists
-Journalists
-Members of Diplomatic Corps
-Members of ICOM
-Qualified guides
-For all visitors entrance is free every Saturday (except for special tours)
To organize your visit please contact:
Administration Department
Eleni Mastora
Tel: 210 9221044,