Exceptional Hermès Vintage Silk Scarf Flora Marqueterie Francoise Heron 1960
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Width: 35.44 in (90 cm)Length: 35.44 in (90 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:FR
- Reference Number:
Hermès
For Hermès, what began as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen would eventually grow into one of the most storied fashion labels in the world. In 1837, German-born French entrepreneur Thierry Hermès opened a saddle and harness purveyor in Paris. Gradually, the house extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and modernist jewelry to pillows and handbags.
The first top-handled bag ever produced by Hermès was the Haut à courroies, which made its debut in 1892. A tall bag secured with a folded leather flap (fastened with bridle-inspired straps), it was designed to transport riding boots and a harness.
As the world made the switch from horse to automobile, the bag adapted, becoming a multifunctional travel satchel instead of a designated saddlebag. Today, 120 years later, the HAC remains in Hermès’s line — and its distinctive flap and clasping straps have laid the groundwork for some of the house’s other iconic bags.
In the 1930s, Robert Dumas (son-in-law to Émile-Maurice Hermès, Thierry’s grandson) designed a smaller, trapezoidal take on the flap bag with a handle and two side straps. Later, actress Grace Kelly, then engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, is said to have used one of these bags to conceal her pregnancy during the 1950s. Because she was photographed constantly, the coverage catapulted her handbag to international popularity.
In 1977, Hermès officially renamed the model for her, and the Kelly bag was born. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.
Robert Dumas was also responsible for another one of the brand’s most iconic offerings: the launch of its first silk scarf on the occasion of Hermès’s 100th anniversary in 1937. Based on a woodblock designed by Dumas and printed on Chinese silk, the accessory was an immediate hit.
Today, vintage Hermès scarves, typically adorned in rich colors and elaborate patterns, serve many functions, just as they did back then. Well-heeled women wear it on their heads, around their necks and, in a genius piece of cross-promotion, tied to the straps of their Hermès bags. Kelly even once used one as a sling for her broken arm.
In 1981, Robert Dumas’s son Jean-Louis Dumas, then Hermès chairman, found himself sitting next to French actress and musician Jane Birkin on a plane, where she was complaining about finding a suitable carryall for the necessary accoutrements of motherhood. After the two travelers were properly introduced, Birkin helped design Jean-Louis’s most famous contribution to the Hermès canon: the Birkin bag, a roomy, square catchall with the HAC’s trademark leather flap top and the addition of a lock and key.
Owing to the brand’s legendary commitment to deft, handcrafted construction, the Birkin is an investment that is coveted by collectors everywhere.
While the Kelly and Birkin may be standouts, gracing the arms of everyone from royal heiresses to hip-hop stars in the past few decades, the handbags are but a small part of Hermès’s fashion offerings.
Since the 1920s, the brand has produced some of the most desirable leather goods in the world. There’s the Constance bag, a favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy, the recently relaunched 1970s-era Evelyne and, on the vintage market, a slew of designs dating back to the 1920s.
Good design never goes out of style. Find a variety of vintage Hermès handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: France
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Hermès Silk Scarf Tigre Royal Fleuri Rouge Vieil Or 70 cmBy HermèsLocated in FRGorgeous Authentic Hermès Scarf Print: "Tigre Royal Fleuri" Pattern: Tiger, flowers, stars Designed by Christiane Vauzelles in 1977, this "fl...Category
2010s French Scarves
- Hermès Gavroche Small Silk Scarf Pocket Square Monsieur Montres Pierre MarieBy HermèsLocated in FRRare Authentic Hermès Pocket Square Print: "MONSIEUR MONTRES" (mister watches) Pattern: a man made of watches, and several iconic Hermès items as Medor studs, Chaine d'Ancre, Kelly...Category
2010s French Scarves
- Hermès Small Silk Scarf Gavroche Pocket Square Tigre Royal Fleuri 16'By HermèsLocated in FRLovely Authentic Hermès Scarf Print: "Tigre Royal" (royal tiger) Designed by Christiane Vauzelles in 1977 This small "gavroche" size is a reissue Can be used as pocket square Ma...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Scarves
- Hermes Silk Scarf Fleurs de Giverny Christine Henry Parme 90 cmBy HermèsLocated in FRStunning Gorgeous Authentic Hermès Scarf Print: "Fleurs de Giverny" / Flowers Designed by Christine Henry in 2017 Made in France Made of 100% Silk Colorways: Parme / Vert / Bleu...Category
2010s French Scarves
- Exceptional Hermès Smallest Scarf Ever Brides de Gala Bleuette Doll 20 cmBy HermèsLocated in FRCutest Smallest Authentic Hermès Scarf Ever ! Pattern: "Brides de Gala" This pattern, desinged by Hugo Grygkar in 1957, is the most famous one. So that is why it has been chosen t...Category
1990s French Scarves
- Hermès L'ete de Loula Silk Scarf Esther Henwood Gavroche 42 cmBy HermèsLocated in FRAdorable Authentic Hermès Scarf Print: L'été de Loula" ("Loula's Summer") Written by Esther Henwood Made in France Made of 100% Silk Can be used as pocket square, scarf, or fram...Category
1990s French Scarves
- Gucci, Logo and iconic item printed silk scarfBy GucciLocated in AMSTERDAM, NLGucci, Logo and iconic item printed silk scarf. The item is new with tags. Comes with paper bag and booklet. • CONDITION: new with tags • SIZE: square • MEASUREMENTS: length 90 ...Category
2010s Scarves
- Hermes Belt Style Scarf RingBy HermèsLocated in Glasgow, GBBelt style scarf ring from Hermes. Green python embossed leather band encased with gold toned metal buckle feature. Marked 'Hermes' at the edge. Made in France. Dimmensions: Width: 0...Category
2010s French Scarves
- Chanel 2014 Iconic Black Rabbit Fur Logo CC Long Neck Scarf Wrap StoleBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Black Fur Logo CC Long Neck Scarf Year: 2014 Chanel Orylag Fur Cashmere Limited Edition Black Soft Scarf Two tone CC fur logo accent on end 70%...Category
2010s Italian Scarves
- Chanel 2014 Iconic Black Elegant Orylag Rabbit Fur CC Stole Scarf Winter WrapBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Black Elegant Orylag Rabbit Fur CC ScarfCategory
2010s Italian Scarves
- Rare Chanel Paris Shanghai 2010 silk scarf limited editionBy ChanelLocated in PARIS, FRRare Chanel métiers d’art Paris Shanghai pre fall 2010 silk scarf with original box, excellent conditionCategory
2010s French Scarves
- Lapel Cross-through Collar Stole Scarf in Purple Fox FurBy Verheyen LondonLocated in London, GBLapel Cross-through Collar Stole Scarf in Purple Fox Fur The Lapel Cross-through Collar is Verheyen London’s casual everyday design, which is perfectly shaped to wear over any outf...Category
2010s Greek Scarves
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Hermès Passe-Guide Bag Might Not Be as Well Known as the Birkin or Kelly, But It’s Every Bit as Chic
Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.
How to Spot a Fake Hermès Birkin Bag
The iconic Birkin bag is much coveted — and often copied. Find out how to tell the real deal from a convincing fake. Of course, you don't have to worry about this on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.