An archaeologist designing jewellery

cuff bracelet, collection Mycenaean 

pendant, collection Meander

ring, collection Poseidon

brand bracelets, collection Dorian

ear rings, collection Speira

These are some of the jewellery designed by archaeologist Polina Sapouna Ellis and sure enough her creations are inspired and influenced by Ancient Greek art. 

Polina Sapouna Ellis has a doctorate in Classical Archaeology at the University of Heidelberg, but then painting and jewellery designing won her over. 

In her site [HERE] she tells her story in her own words.

Polina Sapouna-Ellis is an archaeologist by training, with a Doctorate in Classical Archaeology from the University of Heidelberg in Germany. She excavated on the islands of Crete and Evoia for many years with renowned Greek archaeologists Yanni & Effie Sakellaraki. She also studied History of Art, and is an accomplished painter. Her life among invaluable treasures of ancient art, as well as her own need to create, led her to painting and ultimately to her true passion: jewellery design.

“My approach to jewellery design stems from the architectural perspective. SYMMETRIA, the ancient Greek concept of counterbalance is fundamental. I believe in the power of geometry”.

The simplicity of clean geometrical shapes inspires and intrigues me, while it lends minimalistic and often futuristic elements to many of my creations. I view each piece of jewellery as a sculpture, a small structure born out of a concept, urging me to define how it will invade space; should it be large or small, shiny, matte, timid, assertive. I want my jewellery to be dynamic and often transformable, convertible to accommodate one’s mood.
Each one of my works produces its own unique ambience, simultaneously impacting and accommodating both body and soul of those wearing it.
As an archaeologist, ancient Greek shapes and motifs permeate my designs. The collections DORIAN, MEANDER or ANTITHESIS are triggered by the austere simplicity of ancient Greek norms.  The Greek landscape, the sea - THALASSA -, which I adore- infuses and invigorates my work as well. It was the sea that spawned my collection KYMA (wave). The human condition also inspires me.All the pieces in my “convertible” collection: EROS, CONNECTION, HARMONY, worn in various ways, reflect the human need to "connect”. My designs are a fusion of all that surrounds me both physically and conceptually. The Greek archaeology, landscape, art, science and philosophy inspire me and guide my work.