Aux Portes De Palais

Hermes.com

A deep understanding of Indian culture, art and mythology inspired the designer to create the scarf Aux Portes Du Palais. Each detail, character, animal, plant and architectural element is deliberate and richly symbolic. The large doors signify the threshold between two worlds: the known and the unknown. Fruit-laden trees bursting with flowers represent the Buddha in Indian folk art and symbolize fertility. The lotus flowers, the flower of the Buddha, represent spiritual blossoming. Emblematic animals, revered and present in all Indian traditions, are also present: the elephant – ridden by Indra, the god of storms and rain – brings peace and prosperity; the horse is the symbol of wisdom and formal beauty; the cow, a nourishing mother figure, is the very image of non-violence; the tiger represents the energy of nature… The four dancers next to the trees narrate the legends of the gods and stories from everyday life using graceful gestures.

In the corners of the scarf, we see examples of the protective drawings women paint on their homes. The frieze surrounding the scarf, in the style of Indian miniatures rich in colorful decorations, is a tribute to the delicacy of Indian art, expressed in fabrics and temple decorations alike.