Orophographia Series

The ceiling painting

Back to 1860–61 dates the building that shelters Stavros Kois Optics store: the former Chr. Nikolaidis’s mansion, today owned by the Kois family.

A large circle is designed in the middle of the ceiling-painting of the building, forming a triangle at each of the four edges. Inside the circle there are eight representations, divided by honeysuckle patterns and decorations. In these representations we can see the blue sky and eight of the twelve gods of Olympus: Zeus, Hermes, Themis, Apollo, Demeter, Athena, Poseidon and Artemis. All of them stand on a little cloud, except for Poseidon, who is pictured in his kingdom: the Sea.

In each triangle outside the circle, four heroes of the Greek Revolution are designed in circular frames, surrounded by plaitings and plant patterns. We can be sure only for the three of them: Rigas Feraios, G. Karaiskakis and Th. Kolokotronis. A painted frieze right below the ceiling completes the decoration. It is 60–70 cm high, with a simple cornice on its top, leading up to egg-and-dart moldings.

The series

We design sunglasses and accessories inspired by the building’s paintings on the ceiling, which houses the central Kois Optics store in Hermoupolis, Syros, in order to showcase the island’s cultural heritage. Part of the selling income will support the effort of listing Hermoupolis in UNESCO’s World Heritage Catalogue.