First Flight of Olympic Airways from Greece to Australia Midcentury .900 Silver Bowl

This stunning midcentury .900 silver bowl of European manufacture symbolises an important part of Greek-Australian aviation history, made to commemorate the first flight of Olympic Airways to Australia.

Then owned by the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, Olympic Airways epitomised midcentury glamour with stewardesses dressed in Chanel and Pierre Cardin, silver cutlery in first class as well as live piano entertainment. On March 3, 1972, the first Olympic Airways flight (using the Boeing 707-320 “City of Athens) took place flying from Athens to Melbourne and Sydney, connecting Greece to Australia for the first time.

Unfortunately just a year later, the tragic death in 1973 of Aristotle Onassis’ son, Alexandros, would shock the world- Aristotle would never recover, dying himself in 1975.

This beautiful silver bowl, which was gifted to first class attendees of Olympic Airways’ maiden Australia flight, is one of very few in the world (with first class then numbering 16 seats). A rare and stunning piece with figural handles and elegantly shaped feet which hearkens to the iconic glamour of the 1970s.

References:

https://greekreporter.com/2024/02/23/aristotle-onassis-olympic-airways-plane-displayed-athens/

https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/04/06/onassis-buys-olympic-airways-2-2/

Price marked at $600 AUD.

Measurements: 12.2cm bowl diameter, 17cm across from handle to handle, 10.3 cm high from base to top of handle. 111 grams weight.

Very good vintage condition with minor wear overall commensurate with age. Light wear to inscription, overall well-struck and legible.