Passifolia, the new tableware collection by Hermès, is a true celebration of the beauty of nature. With the collection, Benoît-Pierre Emery, the creative director of Objets et La Table at Hermès, sought to work with nature in an unencumbered way.
The tableware features a tropical theme that seeks to “rediscover the richness of the floral world, plants and leaves, intimately intertwined.”
Designer Nathalie Roland-Uckel drew her inspiration from the fantasy world of the Garden of Eden and from the beauty of exotic nature for the 30-piece set featuring plant patterns. “Plates, platters and cups spread out across the table and form landscapes that invite contemplation.”
It took artisans more than 2,000 hours of engraving to make each piece distinct. “An important aspect of this collection lies in alternating rhythms,” explains Emery. “Sometimes the vegetation is extremely dense and spreads out like camouflage, covering the entire piece inside and out, and sometimes it is more isolated. Certain elements, such as the large leaves on the dinner plates are given a far more minimalist treatment.”
Hermès Passiofolia, etymology and representation
The name of the collection comes from the Latin name of the passionflower plant, Passiflora incarnata. Passionflower, meanwhile, takes its name from the religious term flo passionis. According to Jesuit missionaries in South America, the flower resembled Christ’s crucifixion, with the stamens representing the wounds of Christ, the filaments, the crown of thorns, and the petals, his apostles.
The story behind
"The rain drums on the convex palm leaves. The wind hums over the fringe of petals. These sounds sharpen the chlorophyll, awakening greens in a chorus of mint, sage, celadon shades. The fuchsia, coral and garnet hues of the flowers explode in the white summer heat. In the tropical mist nature composes a richly melodious suite. An homage to the foliage that protects the earth, to the colors that burst forth in song. To the power of flora, its folly, and its leaves which rustle a single word, Passifolia."