This exquisite 1995 design by the beloved Hermès artist, Robert Dallet, pays a magnificent homage to the Chinese province of Sichuan. Historically known as Szechwan or Szechuan, this captivating region in the southwestern part of China borders Tibet to the west and is famously home to the iconic giant panda. Asia’s longest river, the majestic Yangtze, gracefully winds its way through this breathtaking highland, rich in biodiversity and dramatic landscapes.
photo courtesy Geoff Leng wikimedia
As with many of Dallet’s celebrated creations, the Sichuan Hermès carré masterfully captures a vibrant array of species native to this unique region.
A remarkable aspect of this work is the artist himself; Robert Dallet was a completely self-taught naturalist and artist. He spent his life meticulously studying animal anatomy and behavior in zoos and museums to reach a level of scientific precision that few formally trained artists ever achieve. This scientific plate style is what makes his work for Hermès so collectible and enduring. More about the artist in a previous blog post. [link].
Surprisingly, perhaps, Dallet chose not to place the much-loved panda bear as the scarf’s primary focal point, but rather a compelling family of snow leopards. This choice likely stems from Dallet’s well-documented passion and love affair with felines, which often feature prominently in his work.
Nevertheless, the iconic panda does hold a significant and prominent position, sitting just above the Hermès – Paris signature.
The design unfolds like a panoramic vista, inviting the viewer to gaze through a meticulously rendered wooded window onto an Alpine meadow teeming with local wildlife. It is an immersive experience, a journey into the heart of Sichuan’s natural wonders.
photo courtesy Guyin Lee (wikimedia)
Let’s embark on a guided tour to identify some of these incredible inhabitants:
Here both pandas are enjoying bamboo, which makes over 99% of their diet as it grows fast and is readily availbale. Perhaps a lesser known fact is that Giant Pandas will also eat eggs and small animals, when given the opportunity.
courtesey Chen Wu wikimedia
photo courtesy wikimedia
courtesy Giovanni wikimedia
courtesy Mathias Appel wikimedia
courtesy Sandy Cole wikimedia
And of course there are many more local fauna to be found, like the elusive Chinese Hog Badger, for example, or the Tibetan Gazelle and Tibetan Fox, the Sichuan Takin, and the small Pallas’s Cat.
This is truly one of Robert Dallet’s most stunning works.
Whether you are a devotee of Dallet’s naturalist mastery or a collector of rare Hermès designs and colorways, this is a classic Dallet worth treasuring.