Zolotas Gold Necklace at Sotheby's 'The Midas Touch'

Articulate Gold Bay Leaves Necklace by Zolotas. Photo courtesy Sotheby's.   A wreath of articulated bay laurel leaves made entirely of gold by Zolotas. This masterpiece in metal goes on sale on October 9 through October 19, during Sotheby's The Midas Touch auction.  

Lustrous Gold

The Midas Touch sale centers around the world's most esteemed metal. This lustrous medium has captivated humans for millennia. The foundation of fortunes rest upon golden ingots. Kings have battled over it. Empires and dynasties rise and fall at the mercy of it. Gold mesmerizes, captivates, enchants, and dazzles. Used for things holy and things base, for luxury and for everlasting promise, gold stands the test of time. This month, Sotheby's offers a handful of items made from glistening gold. One important item is Lot 102, the Zolotas necklace featured in the picture above.  

Zolotas

Zolotas steeps itself in the ancient tradition of Greek goldsmiths, as well as in the extraordinary Greek aesthetic and cultural spirit. Established in 1895, at the foot of the Acropolis, by Efthimios Zolotas, the House of Zolotas quickly emerged as the jewelry firm for the Athenian elite. Efthimios prided himself on his approach to customer service, hosting his clients with care and dignity. He also ensured that all of his goldsmiths and artisans received extensive training in the Greek jewelry and goldsmithing traditions. In fact, beyond its reputation as a jewelry atelier, Zolotas grew into an apprenticeship school for those learning the trade. Together with his wife, Konstantin, Efthimios groomed his son to eventually take over the business.  

Xenofon Zolotas

Xenofon Zolotas carried the legacy of his family solidly upon his shoulders. His dedication to his family's traditions and the craftmanship of their jewelry allowed him to build partnerships with contemporary designers. These partnerships transcended the unique Zolotas style into something even greater, carrying the brand into the 20th century with ease. Under his influence, Zolotas developed some of their most iconic styles, including the Byzantine mosaics of Ravenna, the Lions of Mycenae, and the Star of Vergina. In effect, his leadership carried the brand across the seas, drawing the likes of the Kennedys, Elizabeth Taylor, and Maria Callas. Xenofon's depth of knowledge and understanding, as well as his commitment to the economic growth of Greece, established him as a true ambassador for his people. Moreover, he developed a singular passion for beautiful jewelry made in the time-honored traditions of his people and his family. In addition to leading the atelier into the modern age during the 1950s and 1960s, Xenofon established himself in the worlds of economics and politics. He served as professor of Financial Law at the University of Thessaloniki in his early 20s. In addition, he held a management position at the Bank of Greece for over 25 years. Finally, he served as Prime Minister of Greece in 1990.  

Zolotas Today

Today, George Papalexis sits at the helm of Zolotas Jewelry. He took the wheel in 2009, as artistic director. Under his guidance, the brand continues to hold fast to the traditions of the past. Zolotas remains a luxury jewelry brand which delivers high-style jewels in the Greek goldsmithing and jewelry traditions. These jewels remain singular in their bold designs, inspired by the iconic symbolism of ancient Hellenism, the architectural mastery of the Doric, Ionian, and Corinthian orders, as well as the extensive mythological stories seated in the psyche of the Greek people. We invite you to take a closer look at this gorgeous necklace on Sotheby's website.