Adam's Fine Jewellery & Watches 14th May 2024

T uesday 14 th M ay 2024 . S tarting at 4 pm 60 77 A GOLD ‘HAPPINESS’ PENDANT, BY BULGARI, CIRCA 1970 The polished gold pendant depicting the Chinese double happi- ness and longevity symbol, in 18K gold, signed Bvlgari & ‘Felicita e Vita’, length (including bale): 3.5cm € 1,200 - 1,800 78 A GEM-SET BANGLE, BY ILIAS LALAOUNIS Of hinged design, the central scalloped plaque, centring a flower motif set with a cabochon ruby, to circular-cut sapphire quarters, flanked by collet-set circular-cut sapphires and ru- bies in a similar pattern, to filigree borders and textured finish, mounted in 18K gold, signed Illias Lalaounis, numbered A.21, with maker’s mark, French marks, inner circumference approximately 17.5cm € 4,000 - 5,000 79 A 22K GOLD BANGLE Of spring design, each terminal with opposing stylised Chi- mera heads, to a reeded bangle with scroll-wire and beading detail, stamped 916 and K22 for 22K gold, inner circumference ap- proximately 17cm, inner diameter approximately 6.4cm € 1,500 - 2,000 80 A SNAKEWOOD AND DIAMOND RING, BY VAN CLEEF & ARPELS The central navette motif pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds, between applied snakewood bombé shoulders, mounted in 18K gold, signedVan Cleef & Arpels, numbered, partial maker’s mark, French assay mark, ring size H € 3,500 - 4,500 81 A GOLD AND SILVER RING, BY ZOLOTAS The bi-coloured thick band with beading detailing, mounted in 18K gold and silver, signed Zolotas, with maker’s mark, French import marks, ring size L½ € 800 - 1,000 82 A SILVER AND GOLD BRACELET, BY HERMÈS Of openwork design, c omposed of polished silver links with polished gold connectors, mounted in silver and gold, signed Her- mes, indistinct maker’s mark, French assay marks, length 16.6cm € 1,500 - 2,000 Greek jeweller Ilias Lalalounis was born in Athens in 1920, the fourth generation of a family of goldsmiths and watch- makers from Delphi. After studying economics and law at the University of Athens, he joined his uncles jewellery firm, where, apprenticed as a goldsmith, he learned the skills that were to determine his future as a master craftsman. Prompted by a passion for history, he began studying the art of his ancestors. In the 1950s he was inspired by Greek muse- um artefacts and transformed them into jewellery by reviving age-old techniques while also introducing the use of modern technology. His creative aim was to convey the spiritual and symbolic link of an object to its historical past, the art of ne- glected techniques, such as granulation, filigree, hand-weaving and hand-hammering. Lalaounis founded the Greek Jewellers Association and exhibit- ed his first collection in 1957, the archeological collection, in- spired by Classical, Hellenistic and Minoan-Mycenaean art, with modern jewels steeped in antiquity. In the 1960s, after his uncle passed away, Ilias Lalaounis started his own company. His collec- tions, consisting of 18 and 22 karat gold pieces, were inspired by the art of many different cultures and periods. His interest spanned from prehistoric to Minoan art, from Persian to Byz- antine, from Chinese art to the art of the Tudors. In the 70s, Lalaounis provoked a sensation with his collection BLOW UP, draping the human body in gold jewellery. He followed this by redefining new means of expression, inspired by spheres such as nature and science, flowers and biosymbols, the random move- ments of animal and plant cells, orbits and constellations In 1986 Lalaounis became the first jeweller to be honoured with the prestigious induction to the Academie des Beaux Arts et des Lettres of Paris. As appreciation of his work spread, the business continued to grow, expanding throughout Europe,Asia and America. Ilias Lalaounis continued creativity was passed on to his four daughters since 1998, who have been taking the respected brand to new heights of excellence and design.