The British Heraldry Hermes scarf was issued in 1981 making it one of four up to that time designs, that pay homage to the British Crown.
The first, Queen, was issued to honor the Queen’s first visit to France in 1961 and was re-issued in 1977 as a special issue for the Royal Jubilee, and renamed to Dieu et Mon Droit (God and my Right) Queen’s Silver Jubilee 1977.
Regina by Leila Menchari was conceived for Queen Elizabeth’s second visit in 1972.
The British Heraldry, however, is in honor of the Prince of Wales bearing his coat of arms against the backdrop of stunning Gothic architecture.
The British Heraldry was designed by Vladimir Rybaltchenko, AKA Rybal,and was first issued in 1981 and was according to Hermès, “intended to commemorate the Crown Prince’s marriage while calling on the continuity of history.”
Vladimir Rybaltchenko an accomplished artist, pictured here from the 1991 issue of Le Monde d’Hermès
Vladimir Rybaltchenko (1939 – 2002) was the great-nephew of Philippe Ledoux and father of Dimitri Rybaltchenko, all renowned Hermès artists.
This stunning Hermes scarf was inspired by the famous Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, who ruled Egypt in the 14th century BC.
Designed originally in 1976 by Vladimir Rybaltchenko, Hermes reissued the “King Tut” in 1994 as part of its “Sun” theme for that year. At the center is the by now world famous gold death mask that was most likely made for Nefertiti and not King Tut after all. Nefertiti was King Tut’s stepmother and his father’s, King Akhenaten, chief queen.
Evidence suggests that the nineteen year old Tutankhamun may have died suddenly, which would have prompted a hurried burial possibly in a tomb intended for another.
The scarab beetle so prominently displayed in this design, is a common beetle found all around the world. It was, however, considered by the ancient Egyptians a creature of great significance and a sacred symbol in their religion and mythology; symbolizing the restoration of life and hope it was associated with the sun god Ra. Scarab beetle amulets served for protection and good luck, and became a part of mummification.
The statue of Anubis found in both upper corners of Rybal’s carre, portrays the jackal-headed god Anubis, who was believed to usher souls to the afterworld. Also associated with mummification, he was thought to protect graves.
A pair of gold cloisonne earrings are believed to have been worn by King Tut during his lifetime.
Although Tutankhamun was believed to be a very young but albeit forgettable ruler, the discovery of his intact tomb in the early 1920s by the British archaeologist, Howard Carter, propelled him to world fame.
“If Tutankhamun is the world’s best known pharaoh, it is largely because his tomb is among the best preserved, and his image and associated artifacts the most exhibited. As Jon Manchip White writes, in his foreword to the 1977 edition of Carter’s The Discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun, “The pharaoh who in life was one of the least esteemed of Egypt’s Pharaohs has become in death the most renowned.” “(source wikipedia)
Further immortalized by the talented hands of Vladimir AKA Rybal Rybaltchenko, the nephew of Philippe Ledoux, the Tutankhamun HERMES carre is a true work of art that can elevate a simple outfit to that of a queen or the adorn the walls in your studio or library.
The Nikko Hermes carre is a gorgeous scarf by popular Hermes artist, Vladimir Rybaltchenko (AKA Rybal) and the father of Dimitri Rybaltchenko, who himself is an accomplished artist and an Hermes contributor.
Vladimir Rybaltchenko has, like his great uncle, Philippe Ledoux, created a number of iconic carres for the Maison Hermes.
His Nikko scarf along with Francoise Faconnet’s Daimyo and Caty Latham’s Reverie Japonaises paid tribute to the culture of Japan in 1992.
The Nikko carre took its inspiration from the ceiling of the Japanese Shin’yosha temple located in Nikko, Japan.
At the center of the scarf are three Tennyo Heavenly Maidens. The Tennyo Maidens can be found in Japanese Buddhism. They are spiritual beings, primarily female and similar to western angels or nymphs.
According to Hermes, “these delightful creatures are grace incarnate….Let us pause then, and savour the ecstacy of this ethereal realm” (excerpt from Hermes scarf booklet 1991/1992)
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