Zolotas
Zolotas was founded by Efthimios Zolotas in 1895 in Athens Greece at the foot of the Acropolis. Zolotas first started in Paris and returned home to start his own business. His goal was to use the quality of craftsmanship he learned in France to create a truly Greek brand. Zolotas was successful and was able to open his own workshop adjacent to his store on Aiolou Street. In 1904 he married Konstantina and their son Xenofon was born the following year. By 1910 he created a series of jewels to be work to the coronation of England’s King George V for the Greek Royal family. Xenofon decided not to join his father in the business but instead became a Professor at the University of Thessaloniki, then worked for the Bank of Greece, and even serving briefly as Prime Minister. He did however facilitate the collaborations with Greek archaeological museums at the beginning of the 1960s to re-interpret the motifs and patterns found therein and transpose them onto jewelry. In the 1970s they decided to open in Paris and collaborate with the sculptor Claude Lalanne. Followed by a collaboration with Paloma Picasso who designed various pieces for the firm. The firm continued to sell truly Greek origin and style.
