Lila: The Art of Hosting
From the Banquet to the Coffee Table Ilias Lalaounis: Legacy. Part II

The exhibition presents more than 120 selected works from 25 collections designed and supervised by Ilias Lalaounis between 1957 and 2002. These objects constitute a significant and cohesive body of work from the rich archival legacy, much of which is preserved in the Museum’s permanent collection, including objects, original models, designs and sketches, as well as photographs from the extensive archive.

The exhibition's starting point is the creator’s wife and muse, Lila Lalaouni, whose innate sense of hospitality and love for art de la table shaped a distinctive way of presenting and using Ilias Lalaounis’ creations. As President of the Board of Directors of the ILJM, Lila embodies this tradition, decorating her home with these objects as she did when hosting events and formal dinners throughout the 56 years of their marriage.

The objects on display are inspired by wildflowers of the Greek countryside, the microcosm of insects, archaeological finds, as well as galaxies and cells, brought to life across tables of different uses. Together, they reflect both the ingenuity of the artist and Lila Lalaouni’s refined taste in interior decoration.

The exhibition reflects the breadth of Ilias Lalaounis’ work beyond jewelry, highlighting both his talent for marketing and his effort to engage a male clientele, as well as his diverse sources of inspiration, ranging from history and archaeology to contemporary technologies. Through objects intended for both domestic and professional use, a lesser-known yet significant aspect of his creative output is revealed. The exhibition aims to highlight the dual nature of his works: as autonomous artistic creations and as functional objects integrated into private or professional environments.

Special commissions and limited-production creations number in the hundreds and constitute important heirlooms of modern Greek craftsmanship. Contemporary press publications document his establishment as a successor to major creators such as Fabergé and René Lalique, as well as his recognition as one of the most significant figures of the 20th century in the field of jewelry and decorative arts, an achievement further confirmed by his election as a member of the French Académie des Beaux-Arts.