Van Kessel Cream Silk Habotai Scarf

DESIGNER'S NOTES

A classy floral Fox & Chave silk habotai scarf featuring blooms from the painting Still Life of Flowers and Grapes encircling a Monstrance in a Niche (c.1670) by the Flemish Painter Jan Van Kessel the Elder (1626 - 1679).

The work is from the series created by the artist known as the Garland Series that consist of intricate still-life works featuring flowers or fruits surrounding religious or mythological scenes.

These paintings often blend naturalistic detail with symbolic elements, highlighting van Kessel's meticulous technique and use of colour. The garlands typically frame depictions of saints, the Virgin Mary, or allegorical figures, creating a balance between earthly abundance and spiritual themes.

In this particular example the work centres on a monstrance, a religious vessel used in Roman Catholic liturgy to display the consecrated Eucharist, typically a host, for adoration. The inscription ECCE PANE AENG on the niche (‘Behold the Bread of Angels’), refer to the bread that is used to represent Christ’s body during Mass, with the red grapes symbolic of his blood.

COLOURS

STYLING

A Fox & Chave habotai silk scarf can be worn with the classic knot style or a pussycat bow. You can even create a shawl effect by knotting two scarves together behind your neck and allowing them to drape over your shoulders. More scarf styling ideas are available in this wonderful How to Tie a Scarf book.