Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum

The collection reflects a wide range of inspirations, from Greek art history and global cultures to nature, science, and technology. Through curated exhibitions, academic programs, and initiatives such as residencies and workshops, ILJM promotes cross-disciplinary dialogue and innovation. It plays a vital role in shaping contemporary jewelry discourse and advancing the decorative arts on a global stage.


ILJMuseum | The Ilias Lalaounis Legacy
Located at the foot of the Acropolis, the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum (ILJM) is an institution devoted to the study, preservation, and interpretation of jewelry in its full cultural and artistic complexity. Founded by Ilias Lalaounis, undoubtedly the most influential jewelry designer of the 20th century, the museum embodies his lifelong belief that “every piece of jewelry has a story to tell.”

Lalaounis’ prolific body of work, now forming the museum’s core permanent collection, consists of over 4,500 pieces spanning his 70-year career. These objects are far more than wearable designs; they are cultural artifacts that draw from archaeology, mythology, science, and nature. Lalaounis distinguished himself as one of the most significant revivalists of his time; his approach to ancient techniques, tools, and forms was not imitative but transformative. By combining historical research with technical innovation and his own inventions, he redefined the boundaries of contemporary jewelry and earned international recognition, including his election to the French Académie des Beaux-Arts.

Crucially, the ILJM is not limited to traditional goldsmithing. The museum’s curatorial scope encompasses a broad spectrum of jewelry practices, from classical and ethnographic adornment to modernist and contemporary approaches, including studio jewelry, experimental techniques, and conceptual forms. Through this inclusive perspective, the museum promotes a comprehensive understanding of jewelry as both artistic expression and cultural commentary.


International Studio Jewelry
The “Helen Drutt International Studio Collection” has recently begun to develop with the advice and contribution of Helen Drutt English. International works are entrusted to allow for the promotion and development of studio jewelry in a Museum which focuses on contemporary jewelry and returns encrypted by thousands of years of traditional forms. Works in the Museum today have been donated by international artists such as Nastassia Aleinikava, Debra Rapoport, Marjorie Schick, Bruno Martinazzi, Doug Bucci, Judy Onofrio, Tony Goessler Snyder, Petra Zimmermann, Karel Votipka, Nicole Polentas, Georgio Vigna and many others, as well as by Greek artists such as Sofia Zarari, Tina Karageorgi, Sofia Bahlava, Despoina Pantazopoulou, Vasilis Stamoulis, Vivi Touloumidi, Liana Pattihis, Elli Xippa and more.

In parallel to its permanent holdings, the ILJM organizes temporary exhibitions that explore current developments in decorative arts and design. These exhibitions foster dialogue across disciplines and generations, engaging with social concerns. They serve as critical platforms for both established and emerging creators, situating the museum within ongoing international conversations.

As we move further into the 21st century, the ILJM is committed to expanding its role as a responsive, inclusive, and socially engaged institution. In an era marked by global crises, ecological awareness, shifting identities, and the redefinition of cultural narratives, the museum’s goal is to foster critical dialogue through jewelry. It aims to amplify underrepresented voices, embrace digital innovation, and strengthen transnational collaborations. Future initiatives will explore the intersection of adornment with issues of sustainability, identity, and memory, positioning the museum not only as a preserver of heritage but as a platform for shaping new cultural imaginaries.

Today, the ILJMuseum is recognized not only as a major archive of a visionary designer’s work, but also as one of Europe’s foremost educational and research centers for jewelry studies. It remains a space of intellectual exchange, creative exploration, and cultural storytelling.



EDUCATION & INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
Central to the museum’s mission is its educational and academic programming. From its inception, the ILJM has positioned jewelry not merely as an object of beauty but as a tool for research and learning.

The Hephaistos Summer Program - Archaeology, History and Technology of western jewelry

A flagship initiative offers a rigorous curriculum that merges historical study, study visits, and technical workshops, attracting participants from leading academic institutions around the world.

The accredited program includes 45 hours of instruction that consists of classes, lectures and study visits. Classes cover the history of western jewelry from glorious Classical Greece to amazing contemporary artistic productions. The program also includes handling of jewelry, a live excavation site experience with lectures presented by jewelry experts, esteemed archaeologists and historians. Issues such as illicit trafficking, an introduction to gemmology and challenges of artistic production over fashion design are covered in the curriculum. Study visits to locations of artistic and cultural interest provide a unique experience of local traditions on jewelry history to participants.

The accredited program is offered in partnership with National & Kapodistrian University of Athens and its BA Program in the Archaeology, History, and Literature of Ancient Greece, and provides 3 US college credits or 6 ECTS credits for participants who meet the University’s criteria for undergraduate admission (https://baag.uoa.gr/).
Students may alternatively gain credit from their own universities towards their course of studies. Faculty lead programs are also open and additionally a studio component may be added.


JaIR - Jewelry Artist in Residence Program
The first Jewelry Artist in Residence Program (JaIR) to run in a museum worldwide is open to national and international artists all year round. Artist Residents may choose to work in the Metalsmithing Studio #ZEM or the Jewelry Crafts Studio #ZEDET both located on the Museum main premises. The JaIR program invites artists and public to a dialogue of creation and development exclusively on artistic studio jewelry. It provides a time of reflection, research, production, and immersion into a new culture of contemporary studio jewelry. Residents are encouraged to explore their practice within a public space; meeting new people, using new materials, experimenting in a new location and potentially integrating elements into their art. Art residencies emphasize the importance of meaningful and multi-layered cultural exchange and immersion into a unique environment, with live feedback and immediate enhancing of knowledge.


Internships
Students and recent graduates interested in art museum careers may join the curatorial or administrative departments at the ILJMuseum and experience on site museum operational practices. Internships for international students are advised to fulfill at least 90 hours or 3 weeks of occupation. Internships run all year round except August.


The Katina Lalaouni Research Library
The ILJM also houses one of the most comprehensive research libraries on jewelry and the decorative arts in Europe. Its holdings support advanced research and critical inquiry across a wide range of disciplines, from art history and anthropology to fashion theory and contemporary design, serving as an invaluable resource for students, curators, and independent researchers alike.



Opening Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 09.00 - 15.00
Wednesday, Saturday: 10.00 - 18.00
Sunday: Closed
Closed on National Holidays
For special openings please check our official Social Media Platforms

Fees:
General Admission: 10 €
With a Valid I.D. Students, guests under 18 and Senior Citizens: 5 €
Guided Tours: Booking upon request at
administration@lalaounis-jewelrymuseum.gr