Explore Black History

1992-1993

A framed Hermès silk scarf titled “Les Amériques” designed by Kermit Oliver and manufactured by Hermès Soie et Textiles. The scarf was commissioned by Hermès and first issued in 1992 to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s voyage. The colorful and detailed scarf depicts the “Old World” and the “New World” with Columbus on the right and a stereotypical image of a Maya person on the left. Columbus is holding a staff, with a white scroll with a red cross behind his left shoulder, possibly referring to the Spanish Requirement. Underneath Columbus are the three ships from his first voyage, the Niña, Pinta, and Santa María. The Maya is wearing a Maya Quetzal feather headdress with a jadeite necklace (of Guatemalan origin) with the Tikal Temple I (Guatemala) behind them.
At the top center of the scarf is an embellished banner with the text [COLUMBUS] and flanked by [1492] on the left and [1992] on the right. Underneath the banner is a world map only of Europe, Africa, and Asia. At the center of the scarf is a gold compass above an ocean where the three ships are. At the bottom of the scarf is another banner with the text [Les Amériques] flanked by fruits and vegetables. In the upper right corner is the variation of the coat of arms of Spain and to the right are the first letter initials of the Spanish monarchs [f [image of a knight helmet] y] for King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I (spelled Ysabel in Spanish) of Castile. In the bottom right corner is a gold sundial nautical compass. In the upper left corner is a jaguar holding a horizontally striped green and white flag and a bird holding a horizontally striped red and white flag. In the bottom left corner is the Maya Calendar. The left border has other images inspired by or from codices. The lower right quadrant is stiched with [Oliver].

Objects depicting racist and/or stereotypical imagery or language may be offensive and disturbing, but the NMAAHC aims to include them in the Collection to present and preserve the historical context in which they were created and used. Objects of this type provide an important historical record from which to study and evaluate racism.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Visual Arts

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Estate of Carroll Parrott Blue

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2023.39.34ab

scarves (costume accessories)

© Kermit Oliver
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

silk (textile)

H x W (unframed): 36 × 36 in. (91.4 × 91.4 cm)
H x W (framed): 38 1/2 × 38 in. (97.8 × 96.5 cm)

Title • Les Amériques

nmaahc_2023.39.34ab

NMAAHC

LES AMÉRIQUES

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1990s

Hermès International S.A. • Oliver, Kermit • Columbus, Christopher

Rhône-Alpes • United States • Asia • Texas • North and Central America • Europe • Africa • Lyon • McLennan County • France • Waco

Design • Art • Colonies • Clothing and dress • Fashion • Spanish colonialism • Stereotypes

African Americans • Catholics

City • Waco • County • McLennan County • State • Texas • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America • City • Lyon • State • Rhône-Alpes • Country • France • Continent • Europe • Continent • Africa • Continent • Asia

Images

Use Restricted