An ancient clay pot housed today in the Louvre depicts Ganymede (‘the loveliest born of the race of mortals’ – Homer) with his arm outstretched holding a rooster. In ancient times the birds were traditionally given by lovers to the objects of their affection. Ganymede had received his rooster from his abductor, Zeus.

A leather bag created by the brand ‘Zacharias’ depicts an almost identical scene, only in place of the rooster Ganymede is now holding a smartphone perfectly angled for a selfie.

Behind the Zacharias brand are Greek sculptor Zacharias and Spanish art director Alejandro who have created a range of leather and other accessories featuring wry takes on famous ancient artworks.

Often the changes are comic but subtle: it is only when one takes a closer look that one notices that Dionysus is in heels, or robes have been replaced with lapels. In other pieces the reproductions are unchanged, the pop-art aspect coming through ancient Greek motifs being displayed on colorful t-shirts, cushions or drink coasters.

All of the pieces of the  “Ι <3 Ancient Greece” line are manufactured in a loft in central Athens. The pair purchase leather from a Cretan supplier and transfer the prints using a process they learnt via Youtube. Active in Greece for the past three years, they founded their company in Madrid after a trip to the supermarket gave them the idea of creating hand-printed t-shirts.

Today Zacharias offers a range of items with their signature designs, including briefcases, t-shirts, notebooks, tote-bags, coasters and more in many shops throughout Greece.