Possibly Hermes' most Gorgeous Design: 'Giverny' in Mint Green
Our most popular scarf design, which always flies off our shelves, this example is in fabulous condition, all colour, weight, stiffness and detail intact; surrounded by a mint green border. Just a couple of very small marks which won't show when worn. Condition 9.25/10
Giverny was designed by Laurence Bourthoumieux in 1989 as a tribute to Claude Monet who settled in Giverny in 1883, signed here as L.T. Not everyone knows that this scarf was created by Toutsy, aka Laurence Bourthoumieux.
This gifted French artist is responsible for a number of scarves for Hermes. She has signed her works as L.T. for Laurence Thioune, and as Toutsy, probably after her marriage, when her name changed to Laurence Bourthoumieux.
No matter what name or signature, her work is unique in style. Some of the other iconic scarves for which she is responsible include Parures des Sables, signed L. Thioune 1994; Au-dela Des Cinq Mers; Les Chants de Henne Hermes; Aloha Hermes Carre signed Toutsy (2002); Mythiques Phoenix; Au Son Du Tam-Tam, Laurence “Toutsy” Bourthoumieux, 1997; Chevaux de Trait, Bourthoumieux, 1993; and our favourite: Tropiques, 1988.
Oscar-Claude Monet was a French painter, a founder of impressionist painting who is seen as a key precursor to modernism, especially in his attempts to paint nature as he perceived it. During his long career, he was the most consistent and prolific practitioner of impressionism's philosophy of expressing one's perceptions before nature, especially as applied to plein air (outdoor) landscape painting.
The term "Impressionism" is derived from the title of his painting Impression, soleil levant, exhibited in the 1874 ("exhibition of rejects") initiated by Monet and his associates as an alternative to the Salon.
Monet was raised in Le Havre, Normandy, and became interested in the outdoors and drawing from an early age. Although his mother, Louise-Justine Aubrée Monet, supported his ambitions to be a painter, his father, Claude-Adolphe, disapproved and wanted him to pursue a career in business. He was very close to his mother, but she died in January 1857 when he was sixteen years old, and he was sent to live with his childless, widowed but wealthy aunt, Marie-Jeanne Lecadre.
He went on to study at the Académie Suisse, under the academic history painter Charles Gleyre, where he was a classmate of Auguste Renoir. His early works include landscapes, seascapes, and portraits, but attracted little attention.
A key early influence was Eugène Boudin who introduced him to the concept of plein air painting.
From 1883, Monet lived in Giverny, also in northern France, where he purchased a house and property and began a vast landscaping project, including a water-lily pond, featured in this scarf. His paintings of water lilies occupied him continuously for the last 20 years of his life.
Frequently exhibited and successful during his lifetime, Monet's fame and popularity soared in the second half of the 20th century when he became one of the world's most famous painters and a source of inspiration for burgeoning groups of artists.
Renowned Sought After "Hommage a Mozart" in Rare Green Colourway
In emerald green, blue and gold, we are thrilled to have this popular, extraordinary, and very beautiful scarf in our collection. Hermes scarves don't really get any better. So many beautiful paintings in one scarf! This scarf is an absolute Hermes great!
Limited edition and therefore rare,whatever the colour, 'Hommage a Mozart' was designed by Julia Abadie in 1991 for the commemoration of the bi-centenary of the death of Mozart.
It's so detailed that you can actually play the music from the scores depicted - whether you're a single pianist or an entire orchestra! Almost every instrument is caressed in loving detail: violin, viola, 'cello, and double bass; ornate harp with each individual string painstakingly reproduced; brass instruments, wind instruments, drum and kettle drum...
The famous watercolour by Carmontelle, showing the seven-year-old Wolfgang seated at the harpsichord, his father Leopold standing behind him playing the violin, and his sister Nannerl in the background singing, is reproduced in careful detail. The portrait of the great composer himself is an unusual one. There is a striking composition of horn, 'cello, violin? oboe/clarinet? being played around a table. What a strange group of instruments! Perhaps an informal and experimental precursor to Mozart's Allegro For Clarinet, Basset Horn, Violin, Viola and Cello.
Tickets for forthcoming concerts are also included - almost certainly part of the great Emile Hermes own personal collection displayed amongst 1000s of other extraordinarily varied artefacts in the Hermes museum, above the firm's headquarters in Paris.
Ms Abadie's design was inspired by Mozart's life and musical works. It has never been reissued, and, as a consequence, has become rare and sought after by Hermès collectors.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, in full: Johann Chrysostom Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, baptised as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was born January 27, 1756 in Salzburg, and died December 5, 1791, in Vienna. He became one of the most prolific and influential composers of the classic era. A child prodigy, his career started at the tender age of five and during his 35 years, he composed over 600 works.
Hommage a Mozart is a glorious scarf celebrating one of the most loved composers of all time.
WILD ABOUT WOLFGANG Genevieve Buck CHICAGO TRIBUNE 1991
“Can`t make it to the Salzburg Festival in Austria this summer to celebrate Mozart`s bicentennial? Get yourself a consolation prize instead via a limited edition Mozart scarf at Hermes.
''Hommage a Mozart,'' commemorating the 200th anniversary of the composer`s death, will probably become a collector`s item among music lovers and scarf fans alike. Centred with musical instruments, from an ornate harp to kettle drums, the silk scarf also features a portrait of Mozart, sheet music and other memorabilia. There are eight background colours, with decorative motifs generally in gold and bronze.”
This scarf has hardly been used, with a negligble small mark which you have to really look for, while all its weight and vibrancy remain. Scarf Condition: 9.25/10
Stunning, Probably Unworn 'Salzburg', celebrating Mozart, with Original Box and Tissue
The Salzburg Hermes scarf abounds with details that are both stunning, and a grand display of Loic Dubigoen's mastery as an artist.
His gorgeous scarf, from 1996, pays homage to one of history's greatest composers and the city where he was born, his lifelike details bringing Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace, beautifully to life.
Each vignette included in this scarf tells a story all of its own: Mozart's dates: 1756 - 1791; a manuscript for 'The Magic Flute'; an etching of a harpsichord (possibly Mozart, his father and sister?); the manuscript of a minuet string quartet penned in 1773 when Mozart was just 17, a view of Salzburg with its backdrop of the castle on the hill, some coats of arms for Salzburg, the famous sundial of St Peter's Abbey, and the statue of a winged horse which is sited in Salzburg's beautiful Mirabell Gardens - the location for 'Do Re Mi' from The Sound of Music.
However, much later in life, Mozart wrote, "I hate Salzburg. Not me. In Salzburg there isn't a penny's worth of stimulation. It's as if the audience consist of nothing but tables and chairs. Salzburg is no place for my talent. There's nothing going on there musically. I don't want to have anything to do with Salzburg anymore."
Even when he was 15, Mozart aspired beyond Salzburg, but it was not until he was 25 that he left the small town, after one final falling out with his employer, the Archbishop. He travelled all over Germany, Austria, France, and Italy trying to find a better job or a city with more engaging, not to mention lucrative, musical opportunities.
Eventually he moved to the imperial capital of Vienna, 185 miles east. Vienna had more sophisticated audiences, better musicians and the possibility of lots more money to be made from piano lessons from nobility who wanted the latest, greatest music for important social events. These included the emperor, who could and did commission Mozart to write operas, while he also worked as a freelance composer.
In Vienna, Mozart wrote a piano concerto to make money as an entrepreneur, something that would have been impossible back home in small-town Salzburg. When he played it in Vienna for 120 paying customers, the applause was so raucous, he had to play it again before the audience would let him do anything else. In Vienna it was in opera that Mozart's fame grew beyond the salons of royalty, and where his music began to be heard by a somewhat broader paying public.
But even these late successes in life were not enough to provide him with the steady income he'd always sought.
He died at the young age of 35, having written more than 600 pieces of music. Mozart's wife, Constanze, was left with two sons, no income, and almost no tangible assets, except all the music her husband had written.
Constanze moved back to Salzburg, and began selling Wolfgang's manuscripts and nurturing his legacy. She outlived Wolfgang by 50 years and by the time she died, she had laid the foundation for what would become the Mozart industry there. A hundred years after his death the apartment where he was born became a museum.
And now, a quarter millennium after his birth, his hometown has gone so far in reversing its neglect of Mozart that some might say it's exploiting his memory. The Austrian National Tourist Office now values the Mozart brand at $6.6 billion.
Scarf Condition: appears unworn, presented in original almost immaculate box (tissue is crumpled). 10/10
Immaculate, Simply Beautiful, "Acte III Scene I La Clairiere" (The Clearing)
This magnificent design provides the mainstay of any self-respecting Hermes scarf collection. Designed by Edouard Baribeaud in 2018, its name is taken from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Our particularly beautiful example appears spotless, but may have been cleaned, as it no longer has the stiffness and original folds of a brand new scarf. Condition: 10/10.
Written in the late 16th century, A Midsummer's Dream is an enchanting comedy of errors, drawing its humour from the confusion caused by falling in love.
In a magical forest, young lovers, a theatrical troupe, fairies and elves cross paths and co-mingle in endless plot twists.
Act III, Scene 1 sees a group of tradesmen meeting in the woods to rehearse their play. Robin Goodfellow happens upon them and transforms Bottom’s head into that of an ass. Abandoned by his terrified friends, Bottom sings under the moonlight. His singing awakens Titania, queen of the fairies, who, under the influence of the flowers' magic, falls in love with him, and takes him away to sleep in her bower.
In this illustration of the scene, Édouard Baribeaud pays homage to Baroque theatre, Indian miniatures and early cinema.
Edouard Baribeaud (b.1984 in Paris, France) draws us into a very different kind of space where the archaic meets the mythical and the folkloric is elevated to the grandest of designs. Baribeaud’s fine drawings translate into theatrical visions which entice the viewer into a land of fantastic and characterful imaginings. The work of Edouard Baribeaud is characterised by his bilingualism and a dual cultural identity.
Born in 1984 to a French father and a German mother he was brought up in France and studied book illustration and printmaking at Paris’ prestigious École Nationale supérieure des Arts Décoratifs. In 2010 he moved to Berlin, where he has since created an impressive body of works on paper.
Baribeaud has an astonishing command of the classical techniques (pen and ink drawing, painting in watercolors and gouache paint) - and delights in mixing them freely, combining seemingly incompatible styles within the same drawing.
In addition to the history of art and the experiences of everyday life, Baribeaud often turns to film history as a source of inspiration. The fact that he likes working in extended series, with the individual drawings bearing a chronological and narrative coherence, point to this cinematic approach to drawing.
Barely Worn 'Grail': Pani La Shar Pawnee
We are delighted and honoured to have sourced this - one of the most sought- and fought-after of all Hermes scarves. I
The central portrait of a Native American is a tribute to the Pawnee, a tribe from the Nebraska and Kansas plains, that was forced into exile in the Indian Territory of Oklahoma, at the end of the 19th century.
Sumptuously dressed, Pani La Shar Pawnee holds a sculpted peace pipe, featuring a galloping horse. His calm gaze and proud bearing express the great dignity of his people.
Peace pipes and bison heads decorate the corners of the scarf, around which run horses and their riders, inspired by 19th century illustrator, Karl Bodmer, whose work remains a precious record of Native American culture.
Pani La Shar Pawnee, designed in 1984, was the first scarf created by Hermes' only American artist, the renowned Kermit Oliver. Here is his extraordinary story, by Joe Holley, extracted from the May 31st 2014 issue of the Houston Chronicle:
“A Well Kept Secret
In a tattered neighbourhood on what was once a busy commercial street in black East Waco sits an older white frame house behind tall shrubbery and a high brick wall. The house adjoins an abandoned movie theater. Parked in a vacant lot across the street is a tan '59 Chevy Impala with trademark flattened tail fins.
The house is a couple of miles from where I grew up and a block up the street from Tony's, where we got our barbecue on occasional Saturdays. The street I remember as lively and crowded years ago is today pocked with vacant, weedy lots and empty, decrepit buildings where homes and businesses used to be.
That's of little consequence to the artist who's lived for 30 years in the house behind the wall. Working out of a tiny studio inside, he produces strange, lushly illustrated worlds populated by people and animals realistically drawn but placed in surreal juxtaposition.
The artist is Kermit Oliver, a retired postal worker whose paintings hang in museums, on collectors' walls and in galleries, where they command five-figure prices. They're also reproduced on sumptuous silk scarves manufactured by Hermes, the renowned Parisian fashion house.
"He's the only American artist that designs for them," Mark Anderson, chairman of Baylor University's Department of Art, told me recently. "He's a well-kept secret."
Although I had never heard of him, it's debatable how well-kept the secret is. Soft-spoken and shy, Oliver is reclusive - "maybe even agoraphobic," he told me, smiling, when we talked recently. Ironically, though, he's become famously reclusive.
A slightly built man with a gray mustache and brushed-back hair, Oliver is 70 but looks maybe 20 years younger. He retired from the postal service last summer after 36 years sorting mail, first in Houston and then, for the next 30 years, in Waco.
Oliver's ancestors on his father's side were slaves brought from St. Louis in 1840 to work on ranches in the South Texas brush country. A self-described "Heinz 57 mix" of African-American, Irish and German, he grew up on a ranch near Refugio, where his father was a vaquero. Realizing at age 6 or 7 that he had a gift for drawing horses and cattle and sheep and goats rather than working them, he graduated from high school and enrolled at Texas Southern University in 1960. He took to heart the advice of one of his mentors at TSU, the legendary artist John Biggers, who told him to stay true to "your own message, your own language."
Carl Jung's book, "Symbols of Transformation," exposed him to the liberating idea that all religions at their core share myths, symbols and basic themes. He's drawn to that parallelism and seeks to express it through the surrealist images and Biblical allegories that populate his work. The cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth is a recurrent theme.
In the early years of his career he was an integral part of the Houston art scene. He taught at TSU and elsewhere and was the first African-American artist in Houston to be represented by a commercial gallery. In 2005, he was featured in a retrospective exhibition of his work at the Museum of Fine Arts.
He felt constricted by that life, so in 1984 he moved to Waco with his wife Katie, also an artist, to care for her ailing grandmother, who lived in the house where Katie grew up. He took the post office job, because, with three kids, he needed the steady income and the benefits. Always working the night shift, he'd sort mail from 11 to 7, come home and sleep for three hours or so and then get up and paint.
The Hermes connection began in 1980 when the company asked Lawrence Marcus, the executive vice president of Neiman Marcus, if he knew of an American painter who could design a scarf featuring a southwestern theme. Marcus knew Oliver's work from Houston gallery showings. Hermes said oui, and Oliver has produced 17 original designs for the company.
"My art is just a natural expression of myself," Oliver told me. "Everything is just happenstance." What he means, as I understand it, is that his post office job allowed him to paint when and what he wanted to; he didn't have to adhere to what the market dictated or what the art world prescribed.”
This scarf is in incredible condition if it dates back to 1984; if it's a reissue from the noughties, it's still very good. It's slightly softer and drapier than a brand new scarf, indicating that its been cleaned, and there's one tiny weeny mark on a hem that you will struggle to find. The central design remains extraordinarily vibrant, clear and deep, however, as can be seen from the photographs. Condition compared with a brand new scarf: 9/10.
(Almost) Immaculate Hermes Scarf Box with Bolduc
So hard to find! There's a global shortage of the original Hermes scarf box (24 x 24 x 2.5cm) - some of the other sites sell these for £100!
This one is in really excellent condition. Comes complete with bolduc (ribbon). Just perfect for presenting a Hermes scarf as a gift, or for storing your beloved Hermes carres!
Pristine Utterly Glorious “La Faune et Flore Du Texas - Texas Wildlife" in Royal Purple
Unused, the original folding lines remain, and the incredible colours and detail of this scarf almost literally vibrate, taking your breath away! Scarf condition 10/10. Possibly the most coveted of all Hermes scarves, and one of our absolute favourites!
You can almost hear the rustle of the bear, the deer, the hare, a horse, even an armadillo, amid the howl of a wolf, the twittering of the birds, and the gobbling of the dramatic centrepiece - a wild turkey! Around 100 native Texas animals and plants are represented, each a picture of its own, hours to be spent studying this scarf, yet there will always be more to see!
By postman Kermit Oliver, the only American artist ever to design for the Maison Hermes, this masterpiece was first issued in 1986, and subsequently in 1992 with the copyright and signature moved from the border to some leaves. Hence this scarf would appear to date from the first issue, meaning, incredibly, it's nearly 40 years old!
The following article about this extraordinary man is taken from the Houston Chronicle, written by Joe Holley in 2014:
“A Well Kept Secret
In a tattered neighbourhood on what was once a busy commercial street in black East Waco sits an older white frame house behind tall shrubbery and a high brick wall. The house adjoins an abandoned movie theater. Parked in a vacant lot across the street is a tan '59 Chevy Impala with trademark flattened tail fins.
The house is a couple of miles from where I grew up and a block up the street from Tony's, where we got our barbecue on occasional Saturdays. The street I remember as lively and crowded years ago is today pocked with vacant, weedy lots and empty, decrepit buildings where homes and businesses used to be.
That's of little consequence to the artist who's lived for 30 years in the house behind the wall. Working out of a tiny studio inside, he produces strange, lushly illustrated worlds populated by people and animals realistically drawn but placed in surreal juxtaposition.
The artist is Kermit Oliver, a retired postal worker whose paintings hang in museums, on collectors' walls and in galleries, where they command five-figure prices. They're also reproduced on sumptuous silk scarves manufactured by Hermes, the renowned Parisian fashion house.
"He's the only American artist that designs for them," Mark Anderson, chairman of Baylor University's Department of Art, told me recently. "He's a well-kept secret."
Although I had never heard of him, it's debatable how well-kept the secret is. Soft-spoken and shy, Oliver is reclusive - "maybe even agoraphobic," he told me, smiling, when we talked recently. Ironically, though, he's become famously reclusive.
A slightly built man with a grey moustache and brushed-back hair, Oliver is 70 but looks maybe 20 years younger. He retired from the postal service last summer after 36 years sorting mail, first in Houston and then, for the next 30 years, in Waco.
Oliver's ancestors on his father's side were slaves brought from St. Louis in 1840 to work on ranches in the South Texas brush country. A self-described "Heinz 57 mix" of African-American, Irish and German, he grew up on a ranch near Refugio, where his father was a vaquero. Realizing at age 6 or 7 that he had a gift for drawing horses and cattle and sheep and goats rather than working them, he graduated from high school and enrolled at Texas Southern University in 1960. He took to heart the advice of one of his mentors at TSU, the legendary artist John Biggers, who told him to stay true to "your own message, your own language."
Carl Jung's book, "Symbols of Transformation," exposed him to the liberating idea that all religions at their core share myths, symbols and basic themes. He's drawn to that parallelism and seeks to express it through the surrealist images and Biblical allegories that populate his work. The cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth is a recurrent theme.
In the early years of his career he was an integral part of the Houston art scene. He taught at TSU and elsewhere and was the first African-American artist in Houston to be represented by a commercial gallery. In 2005, he was featured in a retrospective exhibition of his work at the Museum of Fine Arts.
He felt constricted by that life, so in 1984 he moved to Waco with his wife Katie, also an artist, to care for her ailing grandmother, who lived in the house where Katie grew up. He took the post office job, because, with three kids, he needed the steady income and the benefits. Always working the night shift, he'd sort mail from 11 to 7, come home and sleep for three hours or so and then get up and paint.
The Hermes connection began in 1980 when the company asked Lawrence Marcus, the executive vice president of Neiman Marcus, if he knew of an American painter who could design a scarf featuring a southwestern theme. Marcus knew Oliver's work from Houston gallery showings. Hermes said oui, and Oliver has produced 17 original designs for the company.
"My art is just a natural expression of myself," Oliver told me. "Everything is just happenstance." What he means, as I understand it, is that his post office job allowed him to paint when and what he wanted to; he didn't have to adhere to what the market dictated or what the art world prescribed.”
Beautiful and So Detailed! 'Equateur' with Original Box and Tissue
This enormously desirable scarf, by our favourite artist, Robert Dallet, features innumerable animals of the equatorial zone of South America, illustrated in the most exquisite careful and loving detail.
It retains all the weight and intricacy of a new scarf, although there some marks on it. These won't show when worn, and are reflected in the pricing. 8.75/10.
Equateur was originally issued in 1988, and more recently reissued in a special soft velvety 'wash' fabric.
Robert Dallet has created close to twenty animal themed scarves for the Fashion House, including 'Jungle Love' and 'Guepards', all of which are always in high demand.
Hermes describes the design:
"The equatorial zone of South America has remarkably diverse fauna and flora, providing a marvellous source of inspiration for the passionate naturalist Robert Dallet. Around a jaguar, the solitary big cat that prowls dense forests, a whole population of wild animals busies itself. The ocelot and the margay – small felines, sharp and keen – dominate the scene and frame a spider monkey, a sloth and toucans. Then comes the ballet of the macaws, parakeets and a cock-of-the-rock, followed by the white-headed capuchin, the woolly monkey and the ringtail. On the ground rest roseate spoonbills, a sunbittern with its wings spread, a scarlet ibis… A composition of multiple voices."
Originally from Normandy, Robert Dallet was born in 1923, and, from a very young age, he was passionate about nature and drawing animals.
In 1952, he decided to make a career of it, leaving his home region for Paris on a quest for a publisher who would give him a first chance.
However, he had a difficult start. Making the most of his free time, he made frequent visits to the zoos and museums of Europe in order to refine his scientific knowledge. He studied the behaviour and anatomy of every animal, which he observed for hours on end, and drew hundreds of sketches in thick notebooks.
When he was offered his first few contracts, he also drew cartoons for various magazines. During this period, he created numerous books for children with the publishing house Lito in Paris.
He also worked for different nature magazines, and in 1960 he met Robert Wolff, better known by his nickname “Roby”, who was director of the journal 'La vie des Bêtes' in the 1960s. They would go on to collaborate for the next 16 years.
From 1966, combined with Roby’s texts, he illustrated a series of five volumes on the world’s fauna each year: Faune d’Afrique, Faune du Nouveau Monde, Faune d’Europe, Faune d’Asie and Faune d’Australie, all of which were published by Lito. Some had prefaces written by Professor Jean Dorst, a famous ornithologist who was director of the Museum of Natural History in Paris from 1975 to 1985, and one was prefaced by the Duke of Edinburgh. In 1969 M. Dallet won the Academy Grammont prize.
In 1972, he published several new works: Faune des Montagnes du Monde, Faune des Déserts d’Afrique and Faune des Déserts d’Amérique, also with Lito.
In 1974, with Roby continuing to write the accompanying texts, he published a book with Hachette, called 'Parades et Combats du monde Animal'.
From 1975, he drew colour, and black and white, plates for the company Air Afrique, illustrating their guides to West Africa. For this he often travelled in Senegal’s national parks, exhibiting displayed at the Hotel Méridien in Dakar in 1978.
At the end of the 1970s, equipped with his profound understanding of animals, he decided to create a collection of more than 80 coloured plates. It was to be the first of its kind in the world, representing all the species and sub-species of felines. These works were displayed in an exhibition for the first time at the Museum of Natural History in Rouen in 1980.
In 1981, he published the book Les Animaux Prédateurs, again with Lito.
He participated in numerous projects with the WWF, for which he made posters and drew images for journals, as well as speaking at conferences at exhibitions dedicated to his work. He also made several television appearances.
In 1985, at the Museum of Natural History in Paris, directed by Professor Jean Dorst, he had the honour of presenting his collection to the public for the second time.
That year, following his participation in the Salon des Illustrateurs, he was approached by Jean-Louis Dumas, then president of Hermès, who asked him if he would design a scarf. 'Kenya' was to be his first, and the start of a collaboration that would last two decades. The most famous of his many other designs include Équateur, Jungle Love, La trêve de l’eau, Sichuan, Guépards, and Tendresse Féline.
Though he had started completely from scratch, he always remained incredibly humble and discreet.
Barely Worn, Sought After, and Just Beautiful 'Grands Fonds' ('Deep Sea') with Original Box
One of our favourite scarf designs, in the most gorgeous colourway. This scarf feels like new, and comes in its original box. We've had it cleaned, as we found the faintest of marks on it, but we're not sure that it really needed it. Scarf Condition 9.9/10.
Annie Faivre, a longtime contributor for Hermes, created this much loved carre in 1992, as part of Hermes' "Year by the Sea".
Annie is a French artist, who has created numerous carres for the Maison Hermes, building her reputation on her unique style, which is immediately recognisable and now loved by so many.
Each year Hermes has a theme and designs become part of that theme. Other scarves that year included Azulejos, Christophe Colomb Decouvre l’Amerique, Le Geographe, Musee, Vent Portant, La Vie Precieuse de la Mediterranee, Vive le Vent and Marine Naive.
According to the Le Carre Hermès Paris booklet, the sea is a “source of life and mother of man’s imagination”. And it is Madame Faivre’s imagination that transforms a simple piece of silk into a fascinating world under the sea. With her famous stylised technique, the Grands Fonds overflows with detail and her four exotic fish, surrounded by other colourful sea creatures, come to life.
You can almost hear the bubbles, and feel the wiggling tropical fish in the extraordinary detail of this most vivid of Hermes scarf designs.
Madame Faivre’s association with the Hermes began in 1979, and over 40 years and many scarves later (possibly 46?) she has a loyal fan base the world over and it is not uncommon for her scarves (first issue) to sell out.
She has her own unique way to represent reality. Unlike the detailed depictions found in Ledoux’s scarves for example, hers are more abstract. Born more of symmetry and repetition, her detailing reminds one of beautiful intricate Moorish carvings.
Being called “little monkey” while growing up, she began incorporating a monkey into her designs, which you can find on this one, if you search carefully enough!
Many times her scarves tell a story like her Armets et Panache, Sur Un Tapis Volant or Art des Steppes designs, and with so much going on, it is easy to just get lost in an Annie scarf.
Her unique style and freshness set her apart from her contemporaries, and have catapulted her to the forefront of all the Hermes artists. She is dearly loved, her scarves coveted by her loyal fans and her vintage designs are collected by many.
Rare, Barely Worn, 'Les Dix Cavaliers'. in Original Box PLUS Very Rare 'Le Pergase d'Hermes' Outer Box
This cheerful scarf appears unworn, but our microscope picked up a couple of uber-faint marks, so, reluctantly, off to the cleaners it went, and now it definitely looks like new!
By two artists, Cyrille Diatkine and Sandy Queudrus, who continue to collaborate together for Hermes to this day, 'Les Dix Cavaliers' was issued in 2010, featuring 10 superimposed horses and rider. Each slice shows a different period and costume.
Cyrille Diatkine is an accomplished Hermès scarf designer with a diverse portfolio that captures the imagination of fashion enthusiasts worldwide. His designs showcase a keen sense of style and an appreciation for the intricate details that make Hermès scarves highly sought after.
Cyrille’s work with Hermès spans a wide range of themes and motifs, reflecting his eclectic interests and artistic vision. His scarves are known for their intricate patterns, bold colours, and exceptional craftsmanship, which have made them some of the most popular and highly prized accessories in the world of luxury fashion.
Some of the stunning scarves designed by Cyrille Diatkine for Hermès include:
En désordre
Jeu des omnibus et dames blanches 1937
Joséphine danse
Kelly en calèche
Le monde est vaste
Piqué sellier
Pierre loti ou l’âme voyageuse
Tours de clés
Rendez-vous rive gauche
Astrologie nouvelle
Suite et poursuite
Le saut h
Brides de gala en désordre
Cyrille’s ability to seamlessly blend traditional artistry with contemporary design has cemented his reputation as a visionary designer in the world of luxury fashion. As he continues to collaborate with Hermès, Cyrille Diatkine’s innovative designs will undoubtedly contribute to the fashion house’s enduring legacy of elegance, sophistication, and timeless style.
Truly Vintage "La Ronde des Heures" (Smell the Roses!)
This marvellous scarf, at a bargain price, features a magnificent display of historical time mechanisms, with the passing of time as its theme. It was designed in 2000 by Loic Dubigeon.
Literally translated as 'the hours go round', it contains the little rhyme:
"Parmi les fleurs, je compte les heures" ie
"Among the flowers, I count the hours"
or:
"Dont forget to stop and smell the roses"!
It offers almost anyone the opportunity to step into Hermes' world of colour, stories and quirkiness. The scarf retains all its weight and detail, but we believe its been washed, which has reduced its original brightness, and there are some marks and pulled threads on it. A genuine vintage offering, this will always be immediately recognised as an iconic Hermes scarf, and we think the stories behind it are fab! Condition 6/10.
The gorgeous design shows a central large clock incorporating a beautiful illustration of bridge and garden, surrounded by ancient timepieces, including ornate fob watches, sundials and clocks. These are likely from Emile Hermes' collection of multifarious artefacts sourced from all over the world, on display in his private museum above Hermes' shop, at their headquarters in Paris.
Included in the design is a gold and enamel verge watch, depicting 'Scenes from the life of Madonna' - the painting attributed to Robert Vauquer, circa 1660 (whereas Dubigeon puts it at 1650). This recently sold at Sotheby's for £30,000. The watch was made by Jean Bonbruict (1632-1678), from Blois in France.
More confusion over dates: Dubigeon has put the illustrated Arnold sundial/watch at 1712, whereas renowned English watchmaker, John Arnold, lived from 1736 - 1799.
Born in Cornwall, Arnold left England for the Netherlands, and at the age of 19 he returned to London speaking fluent German. This stood him in good standing at the court of King George III, from the House of Hanover, to whom Arnold presented a ring with the smallest half-quarter repeater ever made.
John Arnold is known as one of the most innovative watchmakers of his day and held patents for a Detent escapement, a bimetallic balance and a helical balance spring. Arnold also played a central role in the significant events of his age, such as the competition to determine longitude at sea, and won several grants and awards offered by the British Board of Longitude.
Louis Chapotot (17th century), whose gorgeous sundial is depicted here, was a French scientific instrument maker.
French maker of optical and mathematical instruments, he worked in Paris, 1670–1700, at Quai de l'Horloge du Palais à la Sphère. He was an apprentice to Guillaume Ménard and appointed Master of the Corporation des Fondeurs. He produced many types of instruments, including sundials, surveying instruments, mathematical instruments, and simple microscopes. His son Jean continued the business until about 1721.
This brass sundial incorporates a compass, gnomon (central part of the sundial) with bird shaped pointer, engraved table of latitudes on the back, coming in a leather case. Dubegeon's illustration replicates one such sundial recently auctioned for £500.
Hermes rarely use an "off the shelf" font. Fancy detail flowing through the design and integrated into it is much more common.
And even here, you can see that the type is spaced around the design a little....look at the PA - RIS.
It's possible that Dubigeon's title for this scarf was inspired by a little known French film of the same name, also known as 'Round of Hours', released in 1931.
Gorgeous Colours, Vintage 'Balade Oceane' (literally 'A Walk in the Sea') in Original Box
There is a remarkable amount of love going on in this wonderfully colourful nautical scarf! Venus in her swan-drawn shell, cupid, turtle doves, more Venus's and more cupids... As well as lots of varieties of dolphins, shells, sea-weed, four different ships from around the world including Greece - lots of gold and green, set off by the rich navy border.
Designed by Julie Abade in 1999, this twenty-five year old scarf was never re-issued, making it a sought-after, original edition. It's a lovely soft and drapey vintage scarf, with some very faint age-related marking on it, and a small pulled thread, but these won't show when worn,. Condition: 9/10. Meanwhile the box looks every minute of its twenty-five+ years!
Designer of more than 30 scarf designs for Hermès over a fifty year time period, Abadie designed several nautical-themed scarves, including Zephyr, Tribord and Chateaux d'Arriere.
Here we have a scarf that is playing on the theme of the often beautifully illustrated sea charts of the seventeeth century.
Abadie was fascinated by the ultra-ornate baroque carvings at the stern, on the balconies, and prow of ships of the same sort of time. She almost certainly used several objets from Hermes' famous museum, above its Parisian outlet, and home to 1000s of extraordinary artefacts, as inspiration, as these are featured in her other nautical scarves.
According to Greek mythology, Venus was born fully formed and beautiful, arising from the sea on a shell as in Botticelli's famous Birth of Venus. But sometimes her status as a sea-born creature and Goddess of Love was also suggested by representing her driving a chariot across the waters, accompanied by Cupid, and drawn by swans, as would seem to be the case here!
Properly Vintage Pale Baby Blue 'Etrieres' (Stirrups)
Soft and drapey, this beautiful classic design provides a perfect entry into the world of Hermes, in a hard-to-find pretty powder blue. The scarf is almost unmarked, but a little faded. Condition 6/10.
Created by Françoise de La Perrière, the scarf features a variety of intricately-designed stirrups from the 18th and 19th centuries, originating from South America, the Middle East, France and Spain, each a veritable piece of jewellery!
They show the various technical and aesthetic innovations developing over the ages and across borders. Designed for riding either astride or side-saddle, the adornments gracing the stirrups are so detailed and delicate - examine the finely wrought flowers, stars and mythical beasts!
As is so often the case with Hermes scarf designs, it was Emile Hermès’ Collection that was the inspiration for this stunning carre. Sixteen different types of stirrups of varied origins have been artfully assembled and illustrated in the greatest of detail.
At the centre, a huge Peruvian pyramid-shaped stirrup dating back to the second half of the nineteenth century, dominates the composition. Just below is what resembles a woman’s slipper, nicknamed the “Sandal of the Amazon”, a “slipper stirrup”. These types of stirrups were used by women riding side-saddle. This “slipper” is where Madame de la Perriere incorporated the copyright, a “c”, in her original design as many of the early artists did.
Not only can different types of stirrups, such as the swivel or barred stirrup, be found in this carre, but also stirrups used by different cavalries and for different types of riding. Typically the heavier stirrups (French stirrups) were more comfortable, while their lighter versions (Hungarian stirrups), allowed for better control and were ideal for riding fast.
As so often, we must thank both the artistry of Francoise de la Perriere, who was one of the best known Hermès illustrators, and Emile Hermès, whose vast collection has been the inspiration to so many early carres.
MINT! Navy 'New Orleans' With Original Box, Tissue, Booklet and Card
Only ever removed from its box for photography, this scarf is in mint condition, still stiff with newness, despite being nearly thirty years old, coming complete with original tissue, virtually immaculate box, booklet, and card.
This classy design is by Loïc Dubigeon from 1996 (reissued in 2006).
The scarf springs to life as jazz greats, from Louis Armstrong to Jimmy Noone (and Lil Hardin), are immortalized with stunning detail. According to Hermes, The New Orleans silk scarf was printed in limited edition to aid the Louisiana Historical Society with a percentage proceeds from sales going to the New Orleans City Park Carousel Restoration Project.
Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed “Satchmo” or “Satch“, and “Pops“, was an American trumpeter, composer, vocalist, and actor who was among the most influential figures in jazz.
This very popular design is coveted not just by musicians, but by Hermes lovers around the world. And as recognisable as the New Orleans carre is, its unusual history may not be so well known.
When it was first issued in 1996, Mrs. Louis Armstrong’s name was misspelled as Harding rather than the correct Hardin.
Lil (Lillian) Hardin, the second wife of Louis Armstrong, was not just married to one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, she was a very accomplished jazz composer and musician herself, and widely recognised as the first major female jazz instrumentalist.
In 2006 in an effort to help support the re-building of New Orleans’ famed City Park after Hurricane Katrina, Hermes reissued this design in only three colourways, orange being one of them. The 2006 reissue has the correct spelling, HARDIN.
The 1996 Hermes carre booklet has this to say:
“New Orleans, the cradle of jazz. At the turn of the century the strolling fanfare of brass and wind instruments settled in the bars, joined by piano, the double bass and the drums, for a jam session to wake the dead. It was the age of the blues, and their spirit still haunts the famous riverboats, who ply the Mississippi, and whose paddles churn to the legendary names of Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Johnny Dodds and many others”
Beautiful Baby Blue Giverny with Original Box
Our most popular scarf design, which always flies off our shelves, this example is in fabulous condition, all colour, weight, stiffness and detail intact; surrounded by the most gorgeous baby blue border. There is a very small mark and tiny dry cleaner's staple hole, which won't show when worn. Condition 9.75/10. It comes in its own rather scruffy box.
Giverny was designed by Laurence Bourthoumieux in 1989 as a tribute to Claude Monet who settled in Giverny in 1883, signed here as L.T. Not everyone knows that this scarf was created by Toutsy, aka Laurence Bourthoumieux.
This gifted French artist is responsible for a number of scarves for Hermes. She has signed her works as L.T. for Laurence Thioune, and as Toutsy, probably after her marriage, when her name changed to Laurence Bourthoumieux.
No matter what name or signature, her work is unique in style. Some of the other iconic scarves for which she is responsible include Parures des Sables, signed L. Thioune 1994; Au-dela Des Cinq Mers; Les Chants de Henne Hermes; Aloha Hermes Carre signed Toutsy (2002); Mythiques Phoenix; Au Son Du Tam-Tam, Laurence “Toutsy” Bourthoumieux, 1997; Chevaux de Trait, Bourthoumieux, 1993; and our favourite: Tropiques, 1988.
Oscar-Claude Monet was a French painter, a founder of impressionist painting who is seen as a key precursor to modernism, especially in his attempts to paint nature as he perceived it. During his long career, he was the most consistent and prolific practitioner of impressionism's philosophy of expressing one's perceptions before nature, especially as applied to plein air (outdoor) landscape painting.
The term "Impressionism" is derived from the title of his painting Impression, soleil levant, exhibited in the 1874 ("exhibition of rejects") initiated by Monet and his associates as an alternative to the Salon.
Monet was raised in Le Havre, Normandy, and became interested in the outdoors and drawing from an early age. Although his mother, Louise-Justine Aubrée Monet, supported his ambitions to be a painter, his father, Claude-Adolphe, disapproved and wanted him to pursue a career in business. He was very close to his mother, but she died in January 1857 when he was sixteen years old, and he was sent to live with his childless, widowed but wealthy aunt, Marie-Jeanne Lecadre.
He went on to study at the Académie Suisse, under the academic history painter Charles Gleyre, where he was a classmate of Auguste Renoir. His early works include landscapes, seascapes, and portraits, but attracted little attention.
A key early influence was Eugène Boudin who introduced him to the concept of plein air painting.
From 1883, Monet lived in Giverny, also in northern France, where he purchased a house and property and began a vast landscaping project, including a water-lily pond, featured in this scarf. His paintings of water lilies occupied him continuously for the last 20 years of his life.
Frequently exhibited and successful during his lifetime, Monet's fame and popularity soared in the second half of the 20th century when he became one of the world's most famous painters and a source of inspiration for burgeoning groups of artists.
Beautiful Version of 'Les Oiseaux du Roy' ('The King's Birds')
This dramatic, and highly sought-after carree is by Caty Latham, designed in 1994, and therefore, unbelievably, is 30 years old.
It has an unusually heavy silk feel, and the colours remain as rich and deep as ever. It's in simply superb condition for its age, with a couple of the faintest most microscopic marks if you look at it with a microscope. Condition 9.9/10.
The scarf features the Royal Falconer carrying a group of falcons on a typical frame, surrounded by the rest of the king's falcons, dressed in their hooded finery, sitting on perches held by chains.
The central figure is taken from a painting, whose copyright is retained Getty's images, so it's not possible to reproduce it here. They claim that the painting is 18th century, but we suspect it might be earlier, as falconry as a royal sport was dying out by then.
The Grand Falconer of France was a position in the King's Household in France from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution.
The position first appeared in 1250 as "Master Falconer of the King" (Maître Fauconnier). The title was changed to Grand Falconer in 1406, although the title of "First Falconer" (Premier Fauconnier) was sometimes also used. The Grand Falconer was responsible for organising the royal falcon hunt and for caring for the king's hunting birds. The position was one of the "Great Offices of the Maison du Roi".
From the reign of Louis XIV, the position became purely honorific, as the kings had stopped hunting with birds of prey. This notwithstanding, Louis XIV maintained an aviary of hunting birds, located (from 1680 on) in Montainville, as a symbol of power.
Falcons were presented to the king at the start of each year in the Galerie des Glaces of the château of Versailles, generally in the presence of foreign ambassadors. Only northern kings and the Grand Falconer had the right to pose a falcon on the hand of the king.
In the UK and parts of Europe, falconry probably reached its zenith in the 17th century, but soon faded, particularly in the late 18th and 19th centuries, as firearms became the tool of choice for hunting.
The career of prolific Hermes artist Caty Latham, also known as Caty Latham-Audibert, spans over five decades and includes some 50 carres, includingthe classic Les Cléfs -1965; Cuillers d’Afrique – 1997; Farandole – 1985/1992; Ferronnerie – 1970/2003; Hommage a Charles Garnier – 1986/1991; Memoire d’Hermes – 1992; Mexique – 1985/1967, and Scarabees et Pectoraux (Reissued Egypte).
Possibly Unworn 'Le Monde du Polo' - The World of Polo
Who would ever have thought you could learn to play polo from a scarf?!
By Chantal de Crissey, the age of this much sought-after design is debatable, quoted variously as 1978, 1985 and 1987. It is nearly forty years old, whoever you believe!
A collectable and fashionable Hermès carre for horse lovers ,"Le Monde du Polo" depicts polo players and horses in action in various polo tournaments, including the European Championships at The Guards Club in Windsor, the Hermes Cup at Palm Beach, and Argentinian Open Championship in Buenas Aires.
It is as if M. de Crissey was making notes on a pad at each competition, taking down and illustrating the various different moves, including the 'offside forehand', the 'nearside forehand', 'offside backhand', 'nearside backhand', 'hooking', and 'riding off'.
"Polo, King of Sports, Sport of Kings" - this design is available in both the 90cm and 45cm versions of the silk square, as well as featuring on jackets, blouses, twill-wool vests, T-shirts, cushions, and ties.
Chantal de Crissey is an animal and equestrian sports painter, who grew up in the rural setting of Morvan, in France. She had already captured artistically the domestic and wild animals around her, even as a child.
An accomplished horse rider, M. deCreissey passed through the great Cadre Noir of Saumur - the French National Riding School, something only relatively recently available to men.
Cited in the directory of Fine Arts and in the Benezit, in 1984 she won the Prize of
Excellence of the 1st World Biennial of Modern Art in Lyon. Hermès subsequently offered her a collaboration, and she began designing for them in 1986.
Her horses have since achieved worldwide notoriety, printed on the silk of ties, prêt-à-porter and the famous carrés.
Her works - made with American waxy pastels - touched the writer Jean Raspail so deeply that he declared: "Chantal de Crissey's talent is magical. An astonishing power of intercession between the souls of animals and ours".
This scarf appears spotless and unworn. Its border is a dark navy. Scarf Condition: 9.8/10. We haven't scored it a full 10 simply because, because its age means it no longer retains the original creases and full stiffness of a brand new scarf. It does not have the softness and drapeyness of a well worn scarf, and its glossy sheen remains.
Mint! Renowned Sought After "Hommage a Mozart"
In pale turqoise, red and gold, we are thrilled to have this popular, extraordinary, and very beautiful scarf in our collection. Hermes scarves don't really get any better. So many beautiful paintings in one scarf! This scarf is an absolute Hermes great!
Limited edition and therefore rare,whatever the colour, 'Hommage a Mozart' was designed by Julia Abadie in 1991 for the commemoration of the bi-centenary of the death of Mozart.
It's so detailed that you can actually play the music from the scores depicted - whether you're a single pianist or an entire orchestra! Almost every instrument is caressed in loving detail: violin, viola, 'cello, and double bass; ornate harp with each individual string painstakingly reproduced; brass instruments, wind instruments, drum and kettle drum...
The famous watercolour by Carmontelle, showing the seven-year-old Wolfgang seated at the harpsichord, his father Leopold standing behind him playing the violin, and his sister Nannerl in the background singing, is reproduced in careful detail. The portrait of the great composer himself is an unusual one. There is a striking composition of horn, 'cello, violin? oboe/clarinet? being played around a table. What a strange group of instruments! Perhaps an informal and experimental precursor to Mozart's Allegro For Clarinet, Basset Horn, Violin, Viola and Cello.
Tickets for forthcoming concerts are also included - almost certainly part of the great Emile Hermes own personal collection displayed amongst 1000s of other extraordinarily varied artefacts in the Hermes museum, above the firm's headquarters in Paris.
Ms Abadie's design was inspired by Mozart's life and musical works. It has never been reissued, and, as a consequence, has become rare and sought after by Hermès collectors.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, in full: Johann Chrysostom Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, baptised as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was born January 27, 1756 in Salzburg, and died December 5, 1791, in Vienna. He became one of the most prolific and influential composers of the classic era. A child prodigy, his career started at the tender age of five and during his 35 years, he composed over 600 works.
Hommage a Mozart is a glorious scarf celebrating one of the most loved composers of all time.
WILD ABOUT WOLFGANG Genevieve Buck CHICAGO TRIBUNE 1991
“Can`t make it to the Salzburg Festival in Austria this summer to celebrate Mozart`s bicentennial? Get yourself a consolation prize instead via a limited edition Mozart scarf at Hermes.
''Hommage a Mozart,'' commemorating the 200th anniversary of the composer`s death, will probably become a collector`s item among music lovers and scarf fans alike. Centred with musical instruments, from an ornate harp to kettle drums, the silk scarf also features a portrait of Mozart, sheet music and other memorabilia. There are eight background colours, with decorative motifs generally in gold and bronze.”
This scarf is in mint condition, retaining all its original weight and crispness. 10/10
Brand New 'Les Quatre Saisons' with immaculate Original Box, Bolduc, Tissue, Embossed Envelope and Hermes Refreshing Tissue
Absolutely stunning scarf with the most incredible colours and detail!
It was created in 1994 by the gifted and self-taught artist, Robert Dallet - our favourite - who has brought us so many popular scarves including the Sichuan, Tanzanie, Jungle Love and many more.
Scarf Condition: 10/10
Hermes writes:
The swallows have come back, the days are getting longer, the countryside is blooming. It’s spring! But summer is already here, like a flight of pink flamingos in the skies of the Camargue. Little by little, azure glows with purple and gold: autumn has arrived. The squirrel stores his nuts, the duck flown in from the north alight on the pond. The woodcock slips away into the dusk. Mists float over the meadows, Winter unfolds its cloak of white, and all is at an end – until the cycle begins again.
Originally from Normandy, Robert Dallet was born in 1923, and, from a very young age, he was passionate about nature and drawing animals. In 1952, he decided to make a career of it, leaving his home region for Paris on a quest for a publisher who would give him a first chance.
However, he had a difficult start. Making the most of his free time, he made frequent visits to the zoos and museums of Europe in order to refine his scientific knowledge. He studied the behaviour and anatomy of every animal, which he observed for hours on end, and drew hundreds of sketches in thick notebooks.
When he was offered his first few contracts, he also drew cartoons for various magazines. During this period, he created numerous books for children with the publishing house Lito in Paris.
He also worked for different nature magazines, and in 1960 he met Robert Wolff, better known by his nickname “Roby”, who was director of the journal 'La vie des Bêtes' in the 1960s. They would go on to collaborate for the next 16 years.
From 1966, combined with Roby’s texts, he illustrated a series of five volumes on the world’s fauna each year: Faune d’Afrique, Faune du Nouveau Monde, Faune d’Europe, Faune d’Asie and Faune d’Australie, all of which were published by Lito. Some had prefaces written by Professor Jean Dorst, a famous ornithologist who was director of the Museum of Natural History in Paris from 1975 to 1985, and one was prefaced by the Duke of Edinburgh. In 1969 M. Dallet won the Academy Grammont prize.
Barely Worn Hermes' Most Revered Scarf: “Faune et Flore Du Texas - Texas Wildlife" with Original Box and Tissue
Possibly the most coveted of all Hermes scarves. Just look at the extraordinary detail! You can almost hear the rustle of the bear, the deer, the hare, a horse, even an armadillo, amid the howl of a wolf, the twittering of the birds, and the gobbling of the dramatic centrepiece - a wild turkey! Around 100 native Texas animals and plants are represented, each a picture of its own, hours to be spent studying this scarf, yet there will always be more to see!
"Faune et Flore Du Texas - Texas Wildlife" is by postman Kermit Oliver, the only American artist ever to design for the Maison Hermes, first issued in 1992.
Scarf Condition: this scarf is barely worn, and comes in its original almost immaculate tissue and slightly scuffed box (complete with auctioneer's sticker - how could they do that to it?!). We found one or two very feint marks on this scarf when it arrived, but have had it cleaned, and we can't find them any more, and it retains all its original weight and vibrancy. 9.75/10.
Texas covers some 268,596 square miles (695,660 km2) making it the second largest state in the United States right behind Alaska.
Located in the South-Central region of the US, it is home to an incredibly rich and diverse wildlife.
Texas can claim over 425 different butterfly varieties, 634 unique birds, close to 800 fish and to top it off over 4,500 native plant species. Of course, Oliver could not represent all of them in his incredible and by now iconic design, so he perhaps chose the ones most unique to Texas like the Ocelot, the Guadalupe Bass and the Nine Banded Armadillo.
See rhe Ocelot is hiding behind a Greater Roadrunner, a permanent Texas resident. Or
the Nine-banded Armadillo scurrying around as both a Northern Mockingbird and a Red-Tailed Hawk look on!
But with all this diversity why did Oliver choose a turkey to be so prominently and memorably featured in his design?
Probably because Texas not only has the largest population of wild turkeys in the entire US, but the state is home to three of the five native turkey varieties thus making a turkey the perfect candidate!
If you have never seen this design in person, you can be sure that it will not disappoint; so rich and detailed one simply does not tire of it! The design is both intriguing and truly exceptional, and you will never tire of it, as you discover a new bird, a different butterfly, a vine previously missed with each and every viewing; all the beauty so delicately preserved in this incredible masterpiece, this wearable piece of art!
The following article about the extraordinary Oliver is taken from the Houston Chronicle, written by Joe Holley in 2014:
“A Well Kept Secret
In a tattered neighbourhood on what was once a busy commercial street in black East Waco sits an older white frame house behind tall shrubbery and a high brick wall. The house adjoins an abandoned movie theater. Parked in a vacant lot across the street is a tan '59 Chevy Impala with trademark flattened tail fins.
The house is a couple of miles from where I grew up and a block up the street from Tony's, where we got our barbecue on occasional Saturdays. The street I remember as lively and crowded years ago is today pocked with vacant, weedy lots and empty, decrepit buildings where homes and businesses used to be.
That's of little consequence to the artist who's lived for 30 years in the house behind the wall. Working out of a tiny studio inside, he produces strange, lushly illustrated worlds populated by people and animals realistically drawn but placed in surreal juxtaposition.
The artist is Kermit Oliver, a retired postal worker whose paintings hang in museums, on collectors' walls and in galleries, where they command five-figure prices. They're also reproduced on sumptuous silk scarves manufactured by Hermes, the renowned Parisian fashion house.
"He's the only American artist that designs for them," Mark Anderson, chairman of Baylor University's Department of Art, told me recently. "He's a well-kept secret."
Although I had never heard of him, it's debatable how well-kept the secret is. Soft-spoken and shy, Oliver is reclusive - "maybe even agoraphobic," he told me, smiling, when we talked recently. Ironically, though, he's become famously reclusive.
A slightly built man with a grey moustache and brushed-back hair, Oliver is 70 but looks maybe 20 years younger. He retired from the postal service last summer after 36 years sorting mail, first in Houston and then, for the next 30 years, in Waco.
Oliver's ancestors on his father's side were slaves brought from St. Louis in 1840 to work on ranches in the South Texas brush country. A self-described "Heinz 57 mix" of African-American, Irish and German, he grew up on a ranch near Refugio, where his father was a vaquero. Realizing at age 6 or 7 that he had a gift for drawing horses and cattle and sheep and goats rather than working them, he graduated from high school and enrolled at Texas Southern University in 1960. He took to heart the advice of one of his mentors at TSU, the legendary artist John Biggers, who told him to stay true to "your own message, your own language."
Carl Jung's book, "Symbols of Transformation," exposed him to the liberating idea that all religions at their core share myths, symbols and basic themes. He's drawn to that parallelism and seeks to express it through the surrealist images and Biblical allegories that populate his work. The cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth is a recurrent theme.
In the early years of his career he was an integral part of the Houston art scene. He taught at TSU and elsewhere and was the first African-American artist in Houston to be represented by a commercial gallery. In 2005, he was featured in a retrospective exhibition of his work at the Museum of Fine Arts.
He felt constricted by that life, so in 1984 he moved to Waco with his wife Katie, also an artist, to care for her ailing grandmother, who lived in the house where Katie grew up. He took the post office job, because, with three kids, he needed the steady income and the benefits. Always working the night shift, he'd sort mail from 11 to 7, come home and sleep for three hours or so and then get up and paint.
The Hermes connection began in 1980 when the company asked Lawrence Marcus, the executive vice president of Neiman Marcus, if he knew of an American painter who could design a scarf featuring a southwestern theme. Marcus knew Oliver's work from Houston gallery showings. Hermes said oui, and Oliver has produced 17 original designs for the company.
"My art is just a natural expression of myself," Oliver told me. "Everything is just happenstance." What he means, as I understand it, is that his post office job allowed him to paint when and what he wanted to; he didn't have to adhere to what the market dictated or what the art world prescribed.”
MINT! Collectors' Dream! 'Les Ameriques' GRAIL. In Immaculate Box and Tissue
At an extremely competitive price (believe it or not!), we are thrilled to offer you a perfect example of one of Hermes' most collectible scarves of all. In mint condition, complete with immaculate box, tissue and sales card. We are just so proud to have finally got hold of a perfect example of this utterly iconic scarf. This example retains all its original folds and the crispness of a brand new scarf. It's clear that it's only ever been out of its box for photography. What a fantastic example!
Designed by Kermit Oliver in 1992, this commemorative scarf depicts Christopher Columbus's first encounter with the glory of the New World. In uttely extraordinary detail and colour, we see its people, its fauna and its flora, intertwined with old world pageantry: a map of the world as it was known in 1492, a magnificent native American figure, a stern Columbus, and the ships: Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria.
Kermit Oliver is the only American artist designing for Hermes. Reputedly, it took him six months to finish the drawing of Les Ameriques, as the details are so very intense.
Scarf Condition: 10/10
Wikipedia adds:
'La Niña' (Spanish for 'The Girl') was one of the three Spanish ships used by Italian explorer Christopher Columbus in his first voyage to the West Indies in 1492. As was tradition for Spanish ships of the day, she bore a female saint's name, Santa Clara. However, she was commonly referred to by her nickname, La Niña ('The Little Girl'), which was probably a pun on the name of her owner, Juan Niño of Moguer ('Niño', his surname, meaning 'Little Boy'). She was a standard caravel-type vessel, about 60 tons.
Niña, like Pinta and Santa María, was a smaller trade ship built to sail the Mediterranean sea, not the open ocean.
Niña logged at least 25,000 nautical miles (46,000 km) under Columbus' command.
Barely Worn, Hard to Find, Smart Navy 'New Orleans'
For all music lovers ( especially jazz lovers) ths is such a classy design, by Loïc Dubigeon from 1996 (reissued in 2006).
Taken from Carre de Paris
This scarf (the original 1996 version) springs to life as jazz greats, from Louis Armstrong to Jimmy Noone (and Lil Hardin), are immortalized with stunning detail. According to the fashion House, The New Orleans silk scarf was printed in limited edition to aid the Louisiana Historical Society with a percentage proceeds from sales going to the new Orleans City Park Carousel Restoration Project.
Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed “Satchmo” or “Satch“, and “Pops“, was an American trumpeter, composer, vocalist, and actor who was among the most influential figures in jazz.
This very popular design, is coveted not just by musicians, but by Hermes lovers around the world. And as recognisable as the New Orleans carre is, its unusual history may not be so well known.
When it was first issued in 1996, Mrs. Louis Armstrong’s name was misspelled as Harding rather than the correct Hardin.
Lil (Lillian) Hardin, the second wife of Louis Armstrong, was not just married to one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, she was a very accomplished jazz composer and musician herself, and widely recognized as the first major female jazz instrumentalist.
In 2006 in an effort to help support the re-building of New Orleans’ famed City Park after Hurricane Katrina, Hermes reissued this design in only three colorways, orange being one of them. The 2006 reissue has the correct spelling, HARDIN.
The 1996 Hermes carre booklet has this to say:
“New Orleans, the cradle of jazz. At the turn of the century the strolling fanfare of brass and wind instruments settled in the bars, joined by piano, the double bass and the drums, for a jam session to wake the dead. It was the age of the blues, and their spirit atill haunts the famous riverboats, why ply the Mississippi, and whose paddles churn to the legendary names of Louis Armstron, King Oliver, Johnny Dodds and many others”
copyright HERMES Paris, 1996
This scarf has hardly ever been worn, as it retains all the weight, vibrancy and crispness of a new scarf. We have had it cleaned, and any resulting marks are almost imperceptible. Condition 9.5/10
Mint, GRAIL, Extremely Special: "Robe du Soir" or "Evening Dress" in Original Box and Tissue
A very beautiful, rare, scarf, in mint condition, complete with immaculate box, tissue, and original invoice. Only opened for photography. In astonishing, and rare, baby blue/grey colourway, elegant beige contrasting hand rolled hem. The very definition of modern chic.
Designed by Florence Manlik in 2018
Hermes writes:
The history of Hermès scarves includes some beautiful interpretations of passementerie. This art of textile embellishment offers infinite motifs, which can single-handedly make the most simple fabric appear sumptuous. The talented designer Florence Manlik has created this portrait of a very – in her own words – “endearing” horse, composed of cords, braids and piping… A play of the hand, fine and subtle; a play of forms, imagery and aesthetics.
Florence Manlik was born in Mulhouse in 1967. She is an accomplished and versatile artist who has made an indelible mark on the world of fashion through her work as a scarf designer for the iconic Hermès Fashion House. As a master of multiple disciplines, Florence has created an array of remarkable designs for Hermès, encompassing various styles and techniques. Among her most famous works are the following:
Brides de gala en finesse
Coup de fouet
Faune lettrée
À la plume
Parcours sans faute
Étude pour une parure de gala
Florence’s artistic journey began in her hometown of Mulhouse, where she attended the École des Beaux Arts. After receiving her diploma in art in 1991, she continued her studies at the École d’art in Basel. Florence later moved to Marseille, where she participated in numerous exhibitions and installations, showcasing her unique talents in various forms of visual art.
In 1995, Florence relocated to Paris and began collaborating with esteemed gallery owner Philippe Rizzo. Her work was showcased in numerous galleries around the world, including London, Vienna, Athens, and Berlin. Over the years, she has created designs for prominent brands such as Cacharel, Colleen, and Selfridges.
Florence began her fruitful collaboration with Hermès in 2009, designing iconic scarves and contributing to various departments within the fashion house, including women’s ready-to-wear, leather, and home goods. Her diverse range of designs and undeniable skill has made her a sought-after talent in the industry.
Throughout her career, Florence has remained committed to her craft, with her artistic philosophy rooted in the belief that “the solution is always in the drawing.” This unwavering dedication has allowed her to create stunning and innovative designs that have captured the imagination of fashion enthusiasts worldwide.
As Florence Manlik continues to create breathtaking designs for Hermès, her legacy as a pioneering and influential scarf designer will undoubtedly endure for years to come.
You can visit Florence Manlik website on florencemanlik.com
Extremely Rare and Sought After, Outstanding Condition, Absolutely Beautiful 'Les Races de Chevaux' ('Horse Breeds') 1955
This incredibly rare scarf is just completely gorgeous!! And an absolute treasure for any serious collector. Every motif has the quality of the most beautiful work of art - nine masterpieces in one scarf! Including Arabian, Spanish, Russian and Turkish horses, and of course the English Thoroughbred. A black and white version recently sold elsewhere for more than £1,000!
Designed in 1955 by Hugo Grygkar, this scarf is in the most extraordinary condition considering that it's older than most of us! All the colour and detail intact, just a couple of small marks. Condition 8.75/10 (compared with a pristine unused new scarf)
Les Races de Chevaux is occasionally erroneously attributed to Christiane Vauzelles, who in 1969 designed a perfectly attractive but commonly available carre: 'Cheval Turc', featuring just the central illustration.
It would appear that the original source material used by both Grygkar and Vauzelles was a series of engravings by Johann Elias Ridinger (1698 - 1767), one of Germany's most famous engravers of animals, particularly horses, hounds and hunting scenes.
Recently sold at auction were six engravings from Ridinger's series "Nationenpferde", including "Persianer", "Ein Teutscher", "Ein Engelländer über Land reitend", "Ein Neapolitaner", "Ein Türkisch Pferd", and "Ein Spanisches Pferd" - see illustration.
Hugo Grygkar, 'The Father of the Carre Hermes', designed the very first carré for Hermès: "Jeu des Omnibus et Dames Blanches", but he also became Hermès’ most prolific artist.
Born on December 9, 1907 in Munich to a Czech family, he grew up in Germany where from an early age he attended the studio of his father, who was a tinsmith and bronze sculptor.
In 1914, his family left for France and settled first in Brittany, in Lannion, and later in the Parisian suburbs. In his youth, Hugo was a diligent artist and an avid reader, who also loved to write. A very private and modest person, Hugo kept his education somewhat of a mystery but he most likely attended l’Academie des Beaux-Arts and then the Studio La Ruche in Paris.
In 1939 along with his father, Hugo joined a special corps in the French army made up of Czech volunteers. Although dismissed after a few months due to kidney disease, this commitment helped him obtain French citizenship. He married in 1942 and two years later had a daughter, Beatrice.
After the war, in a difficult economic environment, in addition to designing scarves for Hermès, Hugo also worked as an illustrator and commercial artist, producing movie posters and some drawings for magazines including Vogue.
Many of the carrés he designed during the forties were created in the tradition of the great illustrators. Maxims, proverbs and aphorisms come to life in playful ways. Hugo with his great sense of humor created carrés that are in complete contrast to the hard times of the war and the immediate postwar period.
From his very early designs, Hugo expressed that innate sense of composition and harmony that continued throughout his entire body of work.
Hugo Grygkar became the primary designer of the fashion house Hermès. In that role he was also a regular contributor to the window decorations of the Maison Hermès at 24 Faubourg Saint-Honore in Paris. Designing carrés, Hugo worked in close collaboration with Robert Dumas, who would guide him in the choice of the subjects, drawing on his abundant private art collection as well as that of Emile–Maurice Hermès.
The inspiration would come from sometimes ordinary objects like the bookplate, from books, artifacts and paintings. Both private collections became a source of wonder and inspiration for Hugo, whose designs often reflected their eclecticism. Once a theme was decided upon, Hugo quickly sketched proposed concepts that Dumas would chose from. Both men shared a deep mutual respect and a common focus on detail and excellence of the overall design.
It was Hugo’s, modesty and amazing flexibility that allowed him to adapt to the demands of Dumas. In his perpetual quest for perfection, Hugo did not hesitate to get a live rooster for the design of carré Combats de Coqs (1954) or a real zebra skin for what became La Chasse en Afrique (1957). He created more than one hundred drawings between 1943 and 1959.
Fuelled by his great curiosity, his sources of inspiration and themes were very varied. His carrés not only reflect the history, but helped create and shape the identity of the Maison Hermès.
Hugo Grygkar died February 22,1959 due to kidney disease from which he suffered for a long time. Shortly after his death, Robert Dumas described him in his diary as “a valuable contributor to the creation of our carrés, a deeply religious man, honest, modest and full of talent,” noting also the “style”, that he had been able to impart to the carré Hermès.
Grygkar’s influence on the carré and the Maison Hermès was profound and his legacy lives on to this day.
Johann Elias Ridinger was a German painter, engraver, draughtsman and publisher.
He began his training in Ulm with the painter Christoph Resch (1701–16), and later studied under Johann Falch (1687–1727) in Augsburg.
He learned the art of engraving from Georg Philipp Rugendas. On the invitation of Wolf, Freiherr von Metternich (1706–31), he spent three years in Regensburg: his visits to the riding school there proved decisive in his development. His engraved, etched and scratched sheets show the animals in characteristic movements and positions, in a landscape environment.
He later founded his own art publishing house in Augsburg, where most of his works appeared. In 1759 he became the director of the Augsburg Stadtakademie. His drawings were executed with precision and taste and were regularly transferred to decoration, porcelain and ceramics.
MINT! Iconic Hermes design: "Eperon d'Or" ("Golden Spur") in Original Box
'Eperon d'Or' by Henri d'Origny was first issued in 1974. One of Hermes' most classic designs, this is a real head-turner. Judging by the care label, this example dates back to the late 1980s or 90s, yet remains pristine new after all these years! Condition 10/10. And the box (worth £50 on its own) is nearly perfect too!
The design is currently available from the House of Hermes, in different colourways, fabrics and sizes. They describe the background as follows:
“At first glance, it is a skilfully orchestrated composition of leather and metal, loops and circles intertwined in complex harmony – a rosette in the form of a scarf.
“But as the eye focuses it discerns each of the elements that give this movement its rhythm in a repetition that is as soothing as it is intriguing. An urge draws us to follow this mysterious network with no beginning and no end.
“Spurs, stirrups, rein hardware and riding crops with three rings of gold: the curves and straight lines of horse tack used by Cadre Noir master riders of France’s prestigious Saumur riding school established in the 19th century.”
MINT, Current, Ivory White 'Cavalcades' (Equestrian Procession) RRP £450
We don't normally stock white scarves, but we just couldn't resist this classic, elegant, immaculate beauty!
Brand new and unused - if you're after a current Hermes scarf, but would prefer to pay a little less - this is the perfect choice for you, coming complete with original sales tag and as-new box, tissue and bolduc. The traditional design is gorgeous, with a lovely modern red contrasting hem.
Hermes has already sold out of Cavalcades, so by coming to us, you immediately save over £50, and have made an excellent investment, as this unique work of art is now selling at more than its original price on many online sites!
Designed by Laurence Bourthoumieux ('Toutsy') last winter (2022/23), the scarf shows 18 horses surrounded by beautifully illustrated equine apparel, including saddles, girths, whips and plumes.
Hermes writes:
"They gallop, snort, capriole and rear up. Observing them, you can almost hear the hooves of these eighteen horses in the arena, at the centre of the scarf. All around them a medley of ceremonial whips, plumes, buckles and saddles evokes the elegance of the equestrian universe through its most timeless elements. Laurence Bourthoumieux created this design to reflect an illustrated catalogue of equestrian articles published in the late 19th century. With their dazzling colours and myriad reflections, the objects swirl around these wild cavalcades"
The gifted French artist, Laurence Bourthoumieux has been designing for Hermes for nearly forty years, and has signed her scarves in several different ways. Sometimes L.T. for Laurence Thioune, and (as here) as Toutsy, probably after her marriage, when her name changed to Laurence Bourthoumieux.
No matter what name or signature, her work is unique in style.
Some of the other iconic scarves for which she is responsible include Parures des Sables, signed L. Thioune 1994; Au-dela Des Cinq Mers; Les Chants de Henne Hermes; Aloha Hermes Carre signed Toutsy (2002); Mythiques Phoenix; Au Son Du Tam-Tam, Laurence “Toutsy” Bourthoumieux, 1997; Chevaux de Trait, Bourthoumieux, 1993; and two of our favourites: Tropiques, 1988, and Giverny, 1989.
Feels Unworn 'Africa', in Stunning Colourway
Designed by the ever-popular Robert Dallet, way back in 1997, this stunning scarf is very hard to come by, especially in as new condition, like this one.
Scarf Condition: 9.95/10. You may be able to find the faintest of marks, if you study this scarf with a microscope!
There are a million things going on in this exquisitely detailed depiction of African life. Leopards, lions, giraffe, monkeys, horses, camels, innumerable colourful birds, and scenes of native village life. This scarf is 25 years old yet feels as new!
Robert Dallet was a naturalist who worked at the Natural History Museum in Paris. His speciality was Big Cats and he designed many scarves for Hermès on this topic, all of them very sought-after.
M.Dallet was an accomplished, self-taught and very humble artist, who collaborated with the Fashion House on numerous projects. From M. Dallet’s biography to his sketches and drawings, allow yourself to be immersed in his incredible art and feel both moved and alive!
Originally from Normandy, Robert Dallet was born in 1923, and from a very young age, he was passionate about nature and drawing animals. In 1952, he decided to make a career of it, leaving his home region for Paris on a quest for a publisher who would give him a first chance.
However, he had a difficult start. Making the most of his free time, he made frequent visits to the zoos and museums of Europe in order to refine his scientific knowledge. He studied the behaviour and anatomy of every animal, which he observed for hours on end, and drew hundreds of sketches in thick notebooks.
When he was offered his first few contracts, he also drew cartoons for various magazines. He went on to work on numerous books for children, and various nature magazines.
By the 1970s, equipped with his profound understanding of animals, he decided to create a collection of more than 80 coloured plates. It was to be the first of its kind in the world, representing all the species and sub-species of felines. These works would be displayed in an exhibition for the first time at the Museum of Natural History in Rouen in 1980.
In 1985, following his participation in the Salon des Illustrateurs, he was approached by Jean-Louis Dumas, then president of Hermès, who asked him if he would design a scarf. Kenya was to be his first, and the start of a collaboration that would last two decades. The most famous of his many other designs are Équateur, La trêve de l’eau, Sichuan, Guépards, and Tendresse Féline.
His final exhibition was in 2006 at the Varine-Gincourt gallery in Paris, bringing this self-made man’s immensely rich career to an end.
Though he had started completely from scratch, he always remained incredibly humble and discreet.
Robert Dallet passed away the same year following a long illness, with his wife and only son by his side.
Barely Worn and Much Sought-After Le Tarot
Shells, coins, the lion, swords - so many Tarot cards represented in the quite extraordinary attention to detail paid by this scarf's creator, Annie Faivre, way back in 1991.
A tarot deck has 78 cards and is divided into two sections: major arcana (major mysteries) and minor arcana (meaning minor mysteries).
There are 22 major arcana cards, and they tend to deal with big life events and overarching themes, for example, relationships, career and love.
There are 56 minor arcana cards. These tend to deal with smaller issues and day-to-day tribulations, like fleeting emotions and situations. Minor arcana cards are divided into four suits: cups, wands, swords and coins, all featured on the scarf.
Each suit has numbered cards from 1 through 10, as well as four court cards (page, knight, king and queen), also illustrated on the scarf.
The cups, associated with water, is the suit that deals primarily with emotions, openness and imagination.
Wands, associated with fire and passion, represent energy, movement and creative force.
Swords, associated with air, represent your mind; how you think, communicate and solve problems.
Coins, associated with earth, explore the physical world and how we interact with it, representing topics like money, the home and careers.
The page and the knight can represent youth or inexperience, while the queen and king can convey adulthood and mastery.
Scarf Condition: you might be able to find a couple of tiny marks on this scarf, which is why we havent priced it considerably higher. This is one of our fastest selling designs. 9.25/10
MINT! "Le Grand Prix Du Faubourg" Collectors' Dream!
Our price is a snip for this scarf, would you believe?!
Designed in 2017, by Ugo Gattoni, Faubourg normally retails for around £1,000. Yet here we have one that has only been out of its immaculate box and tissue for photography! Condition: 11/10.
The detail of the design has to be seen to be believed - you could gaze at this scarf for an entire day, and still miss something! In a simply beautiful colourway - the turquoise sky unashamedly leaps out at you!
Hermes writes:
Ugo Gattoni loves visual games, optical pile-ups. His extremely delicate, controlled hand and his whimsical spirit become the creators of abundant dream worlds where every corner conceals a surprise, a strange detail. "An oneiric (dreamlike) race through a phantasmagorical Faubourg" aptly captures the spirit of the design. A fanciful profusion from which emerge architectural forms, advertising hoardings, stories and anecdotes from all the epochs of this Parisian street, where Hermès opened almost two centuries ago. Crowds surge around the bend of the Faubourg, colourful, festive, dynamic. Racing cyclists cheered on by the crowd, flying boats, Zeppelins and balloons occupy every inch of the scarf.
Perennially Elegant Black and Gold 'Eperon d'Or' (Golden Spur)
Designed by Henri d'Origny in 1974. this is one of Hermes' most classic designs, guaranteed to lift any outfit in the most understated of ways. Although it appears unworn, retaining the stiffness and folds of a mint scarf, we've taken it to the cleaners as we've spotted some storage/handling marks.
The design is currently available from the House of Hermes, in different colourways, fabrics and sizes. They describe its background as follows:
“At first glance, it is a skilfully orchestrated composition of leather and metal, loops and circles intertwined in complex harmony – a rosette in the form of a scarf.
“But as the eye focuses it discerns each of the elements that give this movement its rhythm in a repetition that is as soothing as it is intriguing. An urge draws us to follow this mysterious network with no beginning and no end.
“Spurs, stirrups, rein hardware and riding crops with three rings of gold: the curves and straight lines of horse tack used by Cadre Noir master riders of France’s prestigious Saumur riding school established in the 19th century.”
Immaculate, Highly Sought After, "Au Fil Du Carre" ('The Journey of the Hermes Scarf')
As new, this extraordinarily detailed, beautiful, colourful scarf was designed by the ever-popular Hermes legend, Annie Faivre, in 2011. You can spend hours and hours poring over it, recognising parts of her previous famous designs, deciphering intricate illustrations of horses, camels, jewellery, bags, fabrics, and of course, the ever-present monkey! A showcase of the designer’s greatest hits!
Here's how Hermes described her creation, nearly 25 years ago:
"For over thirty years, Annie Faivre has been designing scarves, and here she has selected eighteen of them to compose her nineteenth work. Each of her exuberant, generous designs conceals a small monkey, nestled in a tree, perched on a camel, or hanging from a creeper. A momento, a signature, a mascot, this mischievous creature is the breadcrumb trail linking one scarf to the next, each theme to story, or voyage to savoir-faire according to the subjects illustrated. United here, they speak of cultures, craftsmen, water, land and sun... befitting a game of riddles the clues to which are the titles of the scarves. Who will find Libre Comme L'Air, Tapis Volants, or Ors Nomades?
Unworn, Black, Elegant, 'Cheval Turc'
This glorious scarf, in just about perfect condition, will ooze glamour, happily accessorising almost any outfit!
The scarf retains its original folds, so we haven't had it cleaned and it remains as brand new, with the tiniest storage mark that's so small we're not sure it's really there at all! The care label has been carefully removed. Condition 9.95/10.
'Cheval Turc' is a classic Hermes equestrian scarf, designed by Christiane Vauzelles in 1969. It was inspired by an etching by Johann Elias Ridinger (1698-1767) as part of his unfinished work: 'Horses of the Nations', which included illustrations of four Turkish horses. The etching was turned into an engraving using copper, by Ridinger's stepson, JG Seuter, in about 1750.
It depicts a turbaned gentleman leading a horse tacked up in beautiful, elaborate harness, probably off hunting, or to war. Unlike in the print, however, keeping things genteel in the scarf version, the original stallion appears to have lost his manhood!
Ornate cartouches of sheathed swords and colourful tassels fill each scroll-decorated corner.
The same source was used by Hermes first designer, Hugo Grygkar, in his 1955 carree: 'Les Races de Chevaux'.
For the Polo Player who has everything: as new 'Le Monde du Polo' handkerchief!
Who would ever have thought you could learn to play polo from blowing your nose?!
This highly collectible and very rare 45cm 'gavroche pochette' dates back to 1987, yet is in as new condition.
The much sought-after design is by Chantal de Crissey, and its detail is just exquisite - you can read every word of polo instruction!
"Le Monde du Polo" depicts polo players and horses in action in various polo tournaments, including the European Championships at The Guards Club in Windsor, the Hermes Cup at Palm Beach, and Argentinian Open Championship in Buenas Aires.
It is as if Mme de Crissey was making notes on a pad at each competition, taking down and illustrating the various different moves, including the 'offside forehand', the 'nearside forehand', 'offside backhand', 'nearside backhand', 'hooking', and 'riding off'.
"Polo, King of Sports, Sport of Kings" - this design is not only available in both the 90cm and 45cm versions of the silk square, but also features on jackets, blouses, twill-wool vests, T-shirts, cushions, and ties.
Chantal de Crissey is an animal and equestrian sports painter, who grew up in the rural setting of Morvan, in France. She had already captured artistically the domestic and wild animals around her, even as a child.
An accomplished horse rider, M. deCreissey passed through the great Cadre Noir of Saumur - the French National Riding School, something only relatively recently available to men.
Cited in the directory of Fine Arts and in the Benezit, in 1984 she won the Prize of Excellence of the 1st World Biennial of Modern Art in Lyon.
Hermès subsequently offered her a collaboration, and she began designing for them in 1986.
Her horses have since achieved worldwide notoriety, printed on the silk of ties, prêt-à-porter and the famous carrés.
Her works - made with American waxy pastels - touched the writer Jean Raspail so deeply that he declared: "Chantal de Crissey's talent is magical. An astonishing power of intercession between the souls of animals and ours".
MINT! Beautiful, Rare, En Course ('In the Race'), in Elegant Taupe
The ultimate (and very hard to find) Hermes scarf for sailing enthusiasts! As new, with all its original folds, weight, colour and sheen intact. Scarf Condition 10/10.
Its creator, Dutch marine artist, Yannick Manier, born in 1947, only designed three Hermes scarves – each one featuring huge and dramatic classic racing yachts: ‘En Course’ (literally, ‘In The Race’), Rafales (‘Squall’) and Vent Portant (‘down wind’). These scarves were issued in 1989, 1988 and 1992 respectively.
The two yachts battling it out on this scarf are the ‘Tuiga’ and ‘Hispania’, featured in marine artist Roger Davies' painting 'Tuiga, Hispania, and the Lady Anne' (currently on sale for £37,000!). Davies’ picture depicts the three yachts competing against each other in Cowes Roads in 1912 in the 15-metre class. This was a popular class, and in total 19 vessels were built, all designed by William Fife, four of which are still sailing today, beautifully restored, the fourth being 'Mariska'.
Tuiga and Hispania were both built in 1909 as twins, so that they would be equally matched in races.
After several years of complete restoration in England, Tuiga is today the Yacht Club de Monaco's flagship. In 2010 she won the Cowes' Westward Cup Regatta, and in 2013 she was voted the finest classic yacht of all time, by 'Classic Boat' magazine.
Hispania was first owned by King Alfonso XII of Spain. She was restored in 2005.
The Lady Anne was refitted in 1999.
The four Classic yachts competed for the first time in 100 years in the Monaco Classic Week in 2011.
The flags around the edge of 'En Course' represent each letter of the alphabet.
The semaphore signals spell a message in Morse code: arms up (u) is a dot; arms straight out (r) is a dash, and arms down 👎 is a space. The letters don't mean anything in themselves, but when you put the signals into Morse code: ._ _… ._ _ _ ._. ._ _.. . ._. ._. .. . ._. . _ ._. .. _… ___ ._. _.. ._ __ .._ ._. . it spells out (in French), "abattra derriere tribord amure" which translates loosely as: "befall behind starboard tack" describing the scene between Taiga and Hispania.
Manier also produced a series of original watercolours, featuring the most iconic yachts of the late 70s and early 80s, currently available in a limited edition volume of 19 lithographs. The yachts include the infamous Admiral Cup-winning ‘Police Car’, an Australian yacht, designed by Britain’s late top naval architect, Ed Dubois, and several of the winners of the 1973/4 and 1977/78 and 1981/82 Whitbread Around the World Races; ‘Williwaw’ which won the Admirals Cup and raced in the 1979 disastrous Fastnet Race; and the 73’ ‘Windward Passage’, which has been beautifully preserved and is still racing today.
This dramatic scarf brings the grandeur and movement of these enormous yachts to life. All three of Manier's scarves breathe the very essence of the yachts' beauty, as they crash through the waves – feel the wind whistling through your hair! Smell the damp of the spray!
Properly Vintage Elegant Grey 'Jumping'
Your chance to own a genuine iconic 'Hermes 90' at a knockdown price!
This stunning scarf was created by Philippe Ledoux in 1971, and reissued in 1975 - so it's got to be nearly fifty years old!
The silk is beautifully soft and drapey, the clarity of the illustrations intact. The hems are a bit flat, with a titchy hole and thinning of the silk, and some very faint grease staining, but none of these will show when worn. Scarf condition: 7/10.
'Jumping' is an atypical design for the prodigious Ledoux, as the riders and horses are large, clear, animated images, almost 'floating' in the air, against a plain background, as opposed to his more numerous graphic, geometrical designs. This is more characteristic of another original Hermes legend - Hugo Grygkar. But here, Ledoux shows off his exquisite skills as an illustrator and creates a scarf with extreme detail and drama.
The design depicts six individual show jumpers tackling enormous fences - possibly all taking part in a 'Puissance' competition - the wall getting higher and higher until there's only one horse left that clears it - typically at around 7'. The world record for the highest ever jump by a horse and rider stands at a whopping 8’ 1” (2.47m). This was set by Captain Alberto Larraguibel Morales riding 'Huaso' (previously known as 'Faithful') in Chile in 1949.
You can feel the tension and concentration of each horse and rider as they clear a massive hurdle, and almost hear the rider click softly to his mount using words to steady and focus him. The leather is creaking, the horse giving a grunt of supreme effort. In our minds we can more or less see exactly where the enormous obstacle is, but in his playfulness, Ledoux has removed all the bars and the horses are jumping nothing - just flying through the air! Yet the viewer can see that wall, and knows exactly how to judge the striding and height.
Rather like an impressionist, Ledoux was evidently a believer in viewer participation!
Very Rare and Very Sought After Ivory White 'Les Biches' (Does) Collectors' Item
Almost perfect, yet an incredible 66 years old!
Delicate, elegant, still totally wearable, this absolutely beautiful scarf was designed by renowned artist, Xavier de Poret, way back in 1957. There has been a reissue since, but the more modern version has a copyright in the top left hand corner.
Often erroneously translated as 'Hinds' - which are female red deer, this scarf shows drawings of roe deer, both bucks and does, in the most extraordinary detail. Gentle and supremely elegant.
At first glance, the scarf looks and feels almost like new, but on close inspection there are a few microscopic marks and a tiny pulled thread. 9/10.
This is an extremely rare and sought after scarf, sold elsewhere for nearly £1,000, and it's very difficult to come by.
Animalier artist, illustrator, and society portraitist, Xavier de Poret (1894–1975) was the son of a capitaine commandant of the 13th regiment of Hussars. He was raised in a château near Fontainebleau, 60 km southeast of Paris, surrounded by elegant gardens, fine horses, farm animals, aviaries full of exotic species, and the creatures of that noble forest.
It is believed that Poret could draw animals before he could write. In fact, he never attended school, instead learning literature, art, and history from his mother who recognised his talent early and brought in an instructor from l’École des Beaux-Arts. By 1914, another animalier artist wrote to him that he was as good as any of his generation. Drafted into the Dragoons during the Great War, Poret was severely wounded and his older brother killed.
In 1918, he joined the Rallye Vallière hunt club that pursued wild boar on horseback. His expanding knowledge of the chase led to illustrating articles for publications such as le Saint-Hubert.
Starting in 1930, and for the next 30 years, he accompanied hunters in Switzerland to study chamois, eagles, ibex and marmots, and portray hunters with their trophies. The black chalk and charcoal drawing, Le Chasseur Clément Geinoz, shows the rugged hunter carrying out a prize chamois, slung over his shoulder.
He illustrated mountain-hunting titles such as Joseph-Louis Reichlen’s 1938, Au Pays du Chamois, Chasse et Montagne, which sold more than 2,000 copies, as well as books on snipe and capercaillie. The same year, he began portraying horses and their owners.
Described by his son as a charming, eccentric “slave to drawing,” who preferred oil lamps and yachts, Poret married well, in 1920, to a lady with a title, Juliette d’Oncieur de la Batie. She inherited the comfortable Château de Plaisance in Riaz, Switzerland, where they settled in 1940, comfortably sitting out World War II in the peaceful paradise of the Alpine Gruyère region.
By the 1950s, the now “Le Comte Xavier de Poret” led a more mundane life, portraying the elite hunters and horses in the forest of Senlis. Soon the courts of Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Austria beckoned. Perhaps the apotheosis of his career was being called to England in 1958 to paint Queen Elizabeth II on horseback, and Prince Charles and Princess Anne, each with their pony. He also painted the Belgian King Baudoin and Queen Fabiola.
Others of de Poret's scarves typically reach even higher prices: $1,065 for les Poulinières (Broodmares); $1,400 for les Levriers (Greyhounds); and $1,725 for les Chiens de Meute (Hunting Dogs).
Other titles include les Bottes (Hunting Boots), les Renards (Foxes), les Tourterelles (Doves), les Teckels (Dachshunds), les Ecureuils (Red Squirrels), and les Mésanges (European Chickadees, or Tits). There are 19 de Poret Hermes scarves in all.
Very Rare and Very Sought After 'Les Mesanges' ('Tits', or 'European Chickadees'). Collectors' Item
Unbelievably this very pretty and extremely rare scarf is over 60 years old!
Beautifully hand drawn in 1960 by Xavier de Poret - possibly Hermes' most revered and collectible artist of all. It's in very good condition, with just a few faint marks commensurate with its great age. Condition 8/10.
Delicate, elegant, and still totally wearable, this is an absolutely beautiful scarf, with blue tits, great tits, long-tailed tits of all ages individually illustrated in the most extraordinary detail. Gentle and supremely elegant.
Animalier artist, illustrator, and society portraitist, Xavier de Poret (1894–1975) was the son of a capitaine commandant of the 13th regiment of Hussars. He was raised in a château near Fontainebleau, 60 km southeast of Paris, surrounded by elegant gardens, fine horses, farm animals, aviaries full of exotic species, and the creatures of that noble forest.
It is said that Poret could draw animals before he could write. In fact, he never attended school, instead learning literature, art, and history from his mother who recognised his talent early and brought in an instructor from l’École des Beaux-Arts. By 1914, another animalier artist wrote to him that he was as good as any of his generation. Drafted into the Dragoons during the Great War, Poret was severely wounded and his older brother killed.
In 1918, he joined the Rallye Vallière hunt club that pursued wild boar on horseback. His expanding knowledge of the chase led to illustrating articles for publications such as le Saint-Hubert.
Starting in 1930, and for the next 30 years, he accompanied hunters in Switzerland to study chamois, eagles, ibex and marmots, and portray hunters with their trophies. The black chalk and charcoal drawing, Le Chasseur Clément Geinoz, shows the rugged hunter carrying out a prize chamois, slung over his shoulder.
He illustrated mountain-hunting titles such as Joseph-Louis Reichlen’s 1938, Au Pays du Chamois, Chasse et Montagne, which sold more than 2,000 copies, as well as books on snipe and capercaillie. The same year, he began portraying horses and their owners.
Described by his son as a charming, eccentric “slave to drawing,” who preferred oil lamps and yachts, Poret married well, in 1920, to a lady with a title, Juliette d’Oncieur de la Batie. She inherited the comfortable Château de Plaisance in Riaz, Switzerland, where they settled in 1940, comfortably sitting out World War II in the peaceful paradise of the Alpine Gruyère region.
By the 1950s, the now “Le Comte Xavier de Poret” led a more mundane life, portraying the elite hunters and horses in the forest of Senlis. Soon the courts of Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Austria beckoned. Perhaps the apotheosis of his career was being called to England in 1958 to paint Queen Elizabeth II on horseback, and Prince Charles and Princess Anne, each with their pony. He also painted the Belgian King Baudoin and Queen Fabiola.
Good examples of some of de Poret's other scarves typically reach even higher prices: $600+ for Les Biches, $1,065 for les Poulinières (Broodmares); $1,400 for les Levriers (Greyhounds); and $1,725 for les Chiens de Meute (Hunting Dogs).
Other titles include les Bottes (Hunting Boots), les Renards (Foxes), les Tourterelles (Doves), les Teckels (Dachshunds), and les Ecureuils (Red Squirrels). There are 19 de Poret Hermes scarves in all.
Unworn, Immaculate, Simply Gorgeous, 'Tendresse Feline' in Box and Tissue
Oh my! What a colourway! You won't come across this opportunity very often!
Designed by our favourite artist, Robert Dallet, Tendresse Feline was first issued in 2012, and like all of his previous creations, was an instant hit. Scarf Condition: 10/10 - probably only taken out of its box for photography. The box is just-about immaculate too (but the tissue isn't)! Would make the most incredible gift!
Hermes recently paid homage to Dallet, a self-taught artist on their website.
Robert Dallet was a naturalist who worked at the Natural History Museum in Paris. His speciality was Big Cats and he designed many scarves for Hermès on this topic.
M.Dallet was an accomplished, self-taught and very humble artist, who collaborated with the Fashion House on numerous projects. From M. Dallet’s biography to his sketches and drawings, allow yourself to be immersed in his incredible art and feel both moved and alive!
Originally from Normandy, Robert Dallet was born in 1923, and from a very young age, he was passionate about nature and drawing animals. In 1952, he decided to make a career of it, leaving his home region for Paris on a quest for a publisher who would give him a first chance.
However, he had a difficult start. Making the most of his free time, he made frequent visits to the zoos and museums of Europe in order to refine his scientific knowledge. He studied the behaviour and anatomy of every animal, which he observed for hours on end, and drew hundreds of sketches in thick notebooks.
When he was offered his first few contracts, he also drew cartoons for various magazines. He went on to work on numerous books for children, and various nature magazines.
By the 1970s, equipped with his profound understanding of animals, he decided to create a collection of more than 80 coloured plates. It was to be the first of its kind in the world, representing all the species and sub-species of felines. These works would be displayed in an exhibition for the first time at the Museum of Natural History in Rouen in 1980.
In 1985, following his participation in the Salon des Illustrateurs, he was approached by Jean-Louis Dumas, then president of Hermès, who asked him if he would design a scarf. Kenya was to be his first, and the start of a collaboration that would last two decades. The most famous of his many other designs are Équateur, La trêve de l’eau, Sichuan, Guépards, and Tendresse Féline.
His final exhibition was in 2006 at the Varine-Gincourt gallery in Paris, bringing this self-made man’s immensely rich career to an end.
Though he had started completely from scratch, he always remained incredibly humble and discreet.
Robert Dallet passed away the same year following a long illness, with his wife and only son by his side.
Oh So Pretty and Delicate: "Fleurs de Fuchsia"
Designed in 2006 by Leigh P Cooke, this beautiful, feminine scarf feels hardly touched, though there are several faint marks on it, which won't show when worn. Condition: 9.5/10.
With thanks to ScarfSage:
Born and raised in Derbyshire, England, Leigh P. Cook‘s journey into the world of design was not the traditional path. Initially working as a sign printer, Leigh’s artistic talents blossomed when he began studying as a mature student at Manchester Metropolitan University. It was here that his unique eye for composition and brilliant sense of color was discovered by John Miles from the Royal Academy of Arts, leading to recognition and awards that propelled his career forward.
After graduating, Leigh’s distinctive style attracted the attention of the luxury goods house of Salvatore Ferragamo, which commissioned his work for five years. In 2001, he joined Hermès, the renowned Parisian luxury goods manufacturer, where his innovative designs and unique vision have continued to captivate audiences.
His work at Hermès has been characterized by a love for pattern, color, texture, and form. A quote from Leigh in a 2011 interview with Derbyshire Life encapsulates this beautifully: “To my eyes, all those different objects are connected in some way by their patterning, color, texture, and form. I intend to arrange them so that they will be sufficiently separated to retain their own identity but close enough to remain on friendly terms with their neighbor.”
Leigh’s innovative À vos crayons scarf design, patterned with depictions of pencils and their shavings, has become a classic at Hermès, admired for its realism and quirkiness.
Leigh’s innate connection with nature and his ability to transform everyday elements into extraordinary visuals can be seen in his Hermès scarf designs such as A walk in the park, Des fleurs pour le dire, and Fleurs et plumes. Each design reflects his impeccable attention to detail and his ability to weave intricate narratives with stunning visuals.
Other iconic designs from Leigh include the playful In the pocket, the vibrant Red berries, the dreamlike Attrape tes rêves, and the beautifully detailed Dragonflies. His floral-focused pieces, Fleurs de fuchsia, Flower power, and I like flowers, show Leigh’s ability to turn flowers into elegant, sophisticated, and luxurious designs.
In addition to his work for Hermès, Leigh also continues to make a mark in the broader art world, with exhibitions at locations such as Paul Smith’s showroom in Mayfair. Despite his success, Leigh remains grounded, producing his extraordinary designs in his humble Tin Tabernacle Studio. His journey is a testament to his relentless creativity, technical skill, and unique artistic vision.
Barely Worn Wonderful Fuschia 'En Course' (In the Race)
The ultimate Hermes scarf for all sailing enthusiasts, and very hard to find.
This scarf feels as though it hasn't been worn. Condition: 9.95/10.
Its creator, Dutch marine artist, Yannick Manier, born in 1947, only designed three Hermes scarves – each one featuring huge and dramatic classic racing yachts: ‘En Course’ (literally, ‘In The Race’), Rafales (‘Squall’) and Vent Portant (‘down wind’). These scarves were issued in 1989, 1988 and 1992 respectively.
The two yachts battling it out on this scarf are the ‘Tuiga’ and ‘Hispania’, featured in marine artist Roger Davies' painting 'Tuiga, Hispania, and the Lady Anne' (currently on sale for £37,000!). Davies’ picture depicts the three yachts competing against each other in Cowes Roads in 1912 in the 15-metre class. This was a popular class, and in total 19 vessels were built, all designed by William Fife, four of which are still sailing today, beautifully restored, the fourth being 'Mariska'.
Tuiga and Hispania were both built in 1909 as twins, so that they would be equally matched in races.
After several years of complete restoration in England, Tuiga is today the Yacht Club de Monaco's flagship. In 2010 she won the Cowes' Westward Cup Regatta, and in 2013 she was voted the finest classic yacht of all time, by 'Classic Boat' magazine.
Hispania was first owned by King Alfonso XII of Spain. She was restored in 2005.
The Lady Anne was refitted in 1999.
The four Classic yachts competed for the first time in 100 years in the Monacao Classic Week in 2011.
The flags around the edge of 'En Course' represent each letter of the alphabet.
The semaphore signals spell a message in Morse code: arms up (u) is a dot; arms straight out (r) is a dash, and arms down 👎 is a space. The letters don't mean anything in themselves, but when you put the signals into Morse code: ._ _… ._ _ _ ._. ._ _.. . ._. ._. .. . ._. . _ ._. .. _… ___ ._. _.. ._ __ .._ ._. . it spells out (in French), "abattra derriere tribord amure" which translates loosely as: "befall behind starboard tack" describing the scene between Taiga and Hispania.
Manier also produced a series of original watercolours, featuring the most iconic yachts of the late 70s and early 80s, currently available in a limited edition volume of 19 lithographs. The yachts include the infamous Admiral Cup-winning ‘Police Car’, an Australian yacht, designed by Britain’s top naval architect, Ed Dubois, and several of the winners of the 1973/4 and 1977/78 and 1981/82 Whitbread Around the World Races; ‘Williwaw’ which won the Admirals Cup and raced in the 1979 disastrous Fastnet Race; and the 73’ ‘Windward Passage’, which has been beautifully preserved and is still racing today.
This dramatic scarf brings the grandeur and movement of these enormous yachts to life. All three of Manier's scarves breathe the very essence of the yachts' beauty, as they crash through the waves – feel the wind whistling through your hair! Smell the damp of the spray!
MINT! Beautiful Salmon Pink L'Arbre de Soie (The Silk Tree)
Simply gorgeous in its own right, and a very unusual colourway for Hermes, this wonderful scarf, designed by Antoine de Jacquelot in 1995, also tells the story of the top quality mulberry silk used by Hermes in the manufacture of all its iconic carres.
Gorgeous salmon/coral pink frames the verdant mulberry leaves and the fabulous silk moth, responsible for the fine silk this carre is printed on. And if you look carefully, you will find the full life-cycle, from cocoon to silkworm to moth!
Hermes silk is a double ply mulberry silk recognised the world over as the best quality of silk for its softness, crispness and texture. The reassuring weight of a Hermes silk scarf comes about as only the highest grade of silk, 6A, is used for its strength and thickness.
The silk comes from the cocoons of silkworms that feed exclusively on mulberry tree leaves. In contrast, other types of silk are derived from the cocoons of worms that consume a variety of plants, such as oak or pine.
The coupling of each pair of Bombyx Mori silk moths results in 300 eggs. The microscopic offspring eat up to 50,000 times their initial weight from the mulberry tree’s leaves. Internally they secrete a silk filament and, consequently, cocoons. From each cocoon comes a single, unbroken 1,500m-long silk strand. Multiply that by 300 and you have 450,000m of silk—which is just the amount needed for a 90cm Carré.
While Lyon has been home to Hermès’ silk operations since 1937, the house’s sericultural partner is in the southern Brazilian state of Paraná. An eco-friendly farming co-operative, it produces silk of the highest quality.
MINT! Beautiful, Light Peach, "Marche Flottant du Lac Inle" (Floating Market of Lake Inle)
Designed in 1998 by Dimitri Rybaltchenko, this gorgeous scarf illustrates the floating market of Lake Inle, Myanmar (formerly Burma).
This gorgeous freshwater lake is dotted with small floating villages made of wooden houses built on stilts. Over 80,000 people living on the lake are from the Intha Tribe, but many other tribes from surrounding mountains head to the lake for the popular market days. Today, the floating market moves between the lake's floating villages on a five-day rotation.
On the market day, the Ywama floating market is now packed with tourist boats and souvenir vendors who do business with locals and tourists on the small boats that are loaded with handicrafts or produce. These days, only a few local farmers try to sell their vegetables to local buyers.
Dimitri Rybaltchenko comes of from a family of great artists, who have all played a major role in the Maison Hermès’ success, in particular the Hermès Carré. Dimitri is the son of Vladimir Rybaltchenko, who was the great-nephew of Philippe Ledoux.
Dimitri has carried on his family’s legacy by creating a number of favourites, including the Noel au 24 Faubourg, Perles du Kenya, Varangues, Les Toits de Paris, and Prieres au Vent.
Utterly Fabulous 'De la Mer au Ciel' (From the Sea to the Sky)
Possibly the most colourful Hermes scarf we've ever seen, this wonderful design was created by Laurence Bourthoumieux, also known as “Toutsy”, for Hermès’ Spring/Summer 2014 season.
It appears to be in perfect condition, but if you look very carefully you might be able to discern a couple of tiny marks. Condition: 9.75/10.
The design shows an ocean with fish, plants and other sea inhabitants. An amazing spiral, starting in the centre of the scarf, has an array of fish metamorphosing into birds and back to fish again. The ocean waves roll and splash against a sky with scudding clouds. There is a lovely patterned border and contrast rolled hem.
Hermes writes:
‘Fish, like sea-butterflies, metamorphose to greet the sky.’ With these words, Laurence Bourthoumieux describes her teeming, rippling composition of harmonious curves, their meandering forms evoking the ocean depths, and skies full of birds and butterflies. The design is – quite literally – a picture of metamorphosis in action, a vision of a world floating and flying free of gravity itself; a fluid, dreamlike world where shapes, colours and light are transformed from one moment to the next. Centuries ago, the sky was sometimes thought to be composed of the same elements as the sea. And in ancient Greece, fish were among the attributes of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, born – like this silken bestiary – of the ocean spray.