Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

A paper knife, by Lalaounis, the orange banded agate ‘blade’ to a bifurcated handle, each ropetwist arm with a lion mask terminal, with applied wirework and granulation detail, the reverse spot hammered, with oval plaque stamped ‘750’, ‘22k’ and ‘A.21’, and bearing maker’s mark, in signed case, length 16.5cm. £500-700

Ilias Lalaounis was born in Athens in 1920 into a family of goldsmiths. Although he read law and economics at university, he had a passion for the art and artefacts of ancient Greece, and started to study ancient goldsmithing techniques. He joined the family firm in 1940 and began producing collections inspired by ancient and classical jewels. in 1969 he set up his eponymous company and continued to produce iconic collections that echo and reinterpret the ancient jewellery and artefacts that inspired him. He was the first goldsmith to be honoured by the Institute de France, Academie des Beaux Arts et des Lettres.