Thistle

But what is this strange pink flower that buckles Henri Vever's belt?

It is a thistle with petals adorned with amethysts. It is true that behind its sweet turquoise buds are enameled pointed spines. The thistle represents austerity in the wonderful world of flowers.

It is Eugène Grasset, an artist and a faithful friend of Henri Vever's, who diverts this symbolism and imagines this plant whose gold stem comes to form a sublime belt buckle. One can admire the work of development and execution through the original gouache signed by the artist.

Piece and drawing made by Paul and Henri Vever
Materials: gold, amethyst, turquoise, enamel
Date: circa 1900
Conservation site: Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris - Gift of Henri Vever, 1924