Dedicated to the memory of Sophia Schliemann, the eleven chest pieces of jewellery presented in the group exhibition of contemporary art Wanderlust / All Passports, curated by Dr. Kostas Prapoglou at the Schliemann-Mela Mansion, are the precious fragments of a glorious era of both people and places that have left an indelible imprint.

Their original concept based on scattered pieces of plywood that stood abandoned in the halls of the Schliemann-Mela Mansion, the jewellery pieces in the Fragments of a Glorious Past collection, crafted with fabric, stones and organic elements, draw inspiration and are brought to light to honour the life and personality of Sophia Schliemann. The high achieving student at the Arsakeion High School in Athens, daughter of the textile merchant George Engastromenos, who before she had even reached her eighteenth birthday, entered into a marriage union with the eccentric German millionaire businessman and amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, who was thirty years her senior.

‘Searching for a Greek woman’, meaning that he was looking for a woman from Homer’s homeland who would know and recite his poems, Schliemann would write to his friend Theocletus Vibos, the man who acted as intermediary between them.

The young Sophia, the lover of letters, cultured, charming, loyal and devoted woman, wife and mother of their two children, proves in the course of her life that she deservedly stood by the side of the man who revealed the findings of two great civilizations, the Trojan and the Mycenaean, through his excavations.

As we know, beautiful Sophia was an active presence in the excavations. Her contribution was equally important in the writings and publications of her husband.

After his death, she continued to fund the excavation of Troy, remaining true to his lifelong vision.

Although their marriage lasted 20 years, the fact that Heinrich Schliemann was an avid wanderer and could not settle down anywhere permanently, was a cause of constant disagreement and tension between them.

It was for these reasons that Sophia Schliemann within her married life, experienced sadness and loneliness, having a direct impact on her mental and physical well-being.

Sophia Schliemann's social work is noteworthy, as she was an active member of most of the women's organisations and associations of her time. She founded the Vouliagmeni Orphanage and also made donations to the Evangelismos Hospital, the University of Athens, the National Archaeological Museum, as well as the Numismatic Museum.

Her crowning achievement in her social work as the "Mother of Tuberculosis", as she was called, became the foundation of the Sotiria Sanatorium. It was the first urban Greek sanatorium in the treatment of needy tuberculosis patients.

The image of the beautiful Sophia wearing the jewels of Helen of Troy from Priam’s Treasure will follow her forever...