Vintage 18ct Gold Chimera Ring with Ruby Eyes

Ilias Lalaounis is a jewellery company based in Athens, known for their expertly made pieces inspired by antiquity. In 1940, at the young age of twenty, founder Ilias Lalaounis gained valuable experience by apprenticing at the esteemed Zolotas family business. Building upon his skills, Lalaounis eventually established his own company, specializing in the production of chains and ancient Greek revival jewellery. The enterprise flourished and expanded throughout the 1950s, gaining international recognition in the 1960s when Lalaounis' creations were worn by the likes of Aristotle Onassis and his wife Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. In 1993, Lalaounis' legacy was further solidified with the opening of a museum in Athens, showcasing thousands of pieces and educating the public on the historical periods that influenced his designs.