HERMES 45cm SILK MOUSSELINE GAVROCHE - EARLY AMERICA
by FRANCOISE DE LA PERRIERE
Picture this: Virginia, 1980. Yup - Early America! (Seriously, that's more than 40 years ago. Eek.)
There are actually two versions of this scarf. The original version had a floral design in the center. Later versions featured George and Martha Washington in the center. And really, what could be more American than small children riding giant dogs that are bigger than bears and horses (TBH if those children tried riding those miniature horses we'd likely have to shoot the horses to put them out of their misery from four broken legs.)
In all seriousness, what delights me most about this scarf is the format. The design itself is charming (and bears, and dogs) and the larger formats (90cm silks and 140cm cashmeres) tie beautifully, but this little scarf truly is a bit of days gone by. I can't recall when Hermes stopped making pochettes of mousseline (or cashmere). So I feel this little gem truly is a piece of history.
From the Hermes Story Behind:
This carre plays homage to the youthful America of George Washington, the first president of the United States, from 1789 to 1797, and is inspired by a popular American artform, that of paper cutting or "canivet". Each sheet (often of marbled paper) is folded several times, then painstakingly ornamented with the help of pointed scissors or a "canivet" (small penknife). The sheet, when unfolded, reveals patterns of a naive style whose plain and innocent iconography reflects the homely serenity and the virtuous education of its creators. This delicate and meticulous art formed part of the education of all young girls from good homes.
There are actually two versions of this scarf. The original version had a floral design in the center. Later versions featured George and Martha Washington in the center. And really, what could be more American than small children riding giant dogs that are bigger than bears and horses (TBH if those children tried riding those miniature horses we'd likely have to shoot the horses to put them out of their misery from four broken legs.)
In all seriousness, what delights me most about this scarf is the format. The design itself is charming (and bears, and dogs) and the larger formats (90cm silks and 140cm cashmeres) tie beautifully, but this little scarf truly is a bit of days gone by. I can't recall when Hermes stopped making pochettes of mousseline (or cashmere). So I feel this little gem truly is a piece of history.
From the Hermes Story Behind:
This carre plays homage to the youthful America of George Washington, the first president of the United States, from 1789 to 1797, and is inspired by a popular American artform, that of paper cutting or "canivet". Each sheet (often of marbled paper) is folded several times, then painstakingly ornamented with the help of pointed scissors or a "canivet" (small penknife). The sheet, when unfolded, reveals patterns of a naive style whose plain and innocent iconography reflects the homely serenity and the virtuous education of its creators. This delicate and meticulous art formed part of the education of all young girls from good homes.
