Details
A DIAMOND, RUBY, SAPPHIRE AND GOLD "BYZANTIUM" NECKLACE, LALAOUNIS
The tapering hinged collar composed of a series of graduated textured gold arch motifs, alternately-set with circular-cut ruby and sapphire collets, the front enhanced by a row of rose-cut diamonds, mounted in 18K gold, in a leather case, circa 1974--13 7/8 ins. long
Signed by Lalaounis
The Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum in Athens describes this necklace as follows:
The necklace, which can also be worn as a tiara, has been inspired by architecture, jewelry and the mosaic technique of 313-1400 A.D.
The basic design of this necklace is the arch, inverted. The arch is the most important element of Byzantine architecture, as seen on the facades, portals and windows of churches. The use of the colorful stones refers to the polychrome decoration of Byzantine jewels (precious and semi-precious stones, multicolored glass and enamel were used in the Byzantine era to decorate jewels).
The background of each motif is hand hammered, giving the effect of the Byzantine mosaic technique.
The tapering hinged collar composed of a series of graduated textured gold arch motifs, alternately-set with circular-cut ruby and sapphire collets, the front enhanced by a row of rose-cut diamonds, mounted in 18K gold, in a leather case, circa 1974--13 7/8 ins. long
Signed by Lalaounis
The Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum in Athens describes this necklace as follows:
The necklace, which can also be worn as a tiara, has been inspired by architecture, jewelry and the mosaic technique of 313-1400 A.D.
The basic design of this necklace is the arch, inverted. The arch is the most important element of Byzantine architecture, as seen on the facades, portals and windows of churches. The use of the colorful stones refers to the polychrome decoration of Byzantine jewels (precious and semi-precious stones, multicolored glass and enamel were used in the Byzantine era to decorate jewels).
The background of each motif is hand hammered, giving the effect of the Byzantine mosaic technique.
Literature
Ilias Lalaounis, "Metamorphoses", Greece, 1984, p. 145