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 1957 – 2002 and displayed in special exhibitions worldwide to promote the artist in America, Europe, and Asia.

SECTIONS

I.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 FIFTEEN 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 marks 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.