Silk scarf «Scythian pectoral» HÉLÈNE LITORELLE

100 % silk twill

The scarf was created in collaboration with the Treasury of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine - all depicted Scythian objects are kept in its collection. Together, the mentioned symbols affirm the victory of life over death in the eternal duel that encompasses the world.
Nowadays, when Ukraine is fighting against Russian invaders, the masterpieces of the Scythians support and inspire faith in the future.
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In the center of this scarf by Hélène Litorelle is an image of the legendary Scythian pectoral of the 4th century BC from the mound of Tovsta Mohyla in Dnipropetrovsk region. The indicated male chest ornament made of pure gold belonged to a Scythian ruler. It is the Scythian universe, recreated by ancient masters. Probably, life and death, their interdependence, their eternal movement is the main theme embedded in the images of the pectoral. The harnesses separating the tiers are like a continuous thread of being. Next to the pectoral is a sword in a golden scabbard from a mound near the village of Velika Bilozerka in Zaporizhzhia. The scabbard is decorated with imprinted images of animals and a scene of a lion and a fantastic creature of a griffin attacking a deer. Golden scabbards of Scythian swords of this form are known from the 5th–4th centuries BC, however, this sample has its own characteristics. In particular, ancient masters depicted a boar's head on the work. It probably symbolizes either the Scythian god of war or a ritual sacrifice in his honor.
Elements of Scythian decorations in the corners of the scarf are used in a different cultural context, related to the symbolism of the tetramorph. It is about mythological creatures that personify the four sides of the world.