Now a lot of Hermès scarves receive accolades, some are called “rare”, “sought after”, “collector” and some are even referred to as GRAIL. But what about Julia Abadie’s Ciels Byzantins? Has it been overlooked by most, including yours truly here?
I do have to confess, that I have been until now, pretty much “unimpressed” with the Ciels Byzantins, Byzantine Skies. I have always thought the two peacocks were way too small to take center stage, and yes, there are the half circles and squares, a geometric composition, which typically drawn to, left me unmoved. Certainly nothing like the Monnaies et Symboles des Parisii! [Link to a separate Blog about this design]
And did I mention it is a jacquard scarf? Even that did not make it register on my Hermès-Richter scale.
But boy, was I wrong!
This colorway is simply breathtaking! The bold gold against the Mediterranean blue creates a stunning contrast, reminiscent of ancient tilework. The intricate patterns evoke the timeless beauty of Maltese floors and the exquisite Ottoman tiles I admired at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Close ups of Julia Abadie’s Byzantine Skies tiles
Photo courtesy By Herbert Frank from Wien (Vienna), AT – Thessaloniki, Rotunde des Galerius, Georgsrotunde (Ροτόντα, Άγιος Γεώργιος) (306 A.D.), CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78973708
The design’s symbolism does not stop there. Two prominent peacocks and the silk jacquard fabric itself, woven with a subtle peacock pattern, carry a deeper meaning. As with all Hermès designs, this is no accident. In Byzantine times, the peacock was a powerful symbol of immortality, resurrection, and eternal life. Its presence evokes the idea of paradise and the Garden of Eden. The bird’s unique ability to shed and regrow its feathers also made it a fitting symbol of renewal. So once again, Ciels Byzantins is a beautiful design, weaving together history and symbolism in a way that only Hermès can.
Here Julia Abadie’s design in other colorways … enjoy!
In any colorway, the Ciels Byzantins is beautiful; underrated and unappreciated? I say, “No more!!!”
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