L'ERBE

In 17th century Italy, doctors wore bird-like pointed masks, the beaks filled with herbs to protect them from miasma — poisoned air thought to carry the plague. It was believed that the fragrance of dried lavender, mint, camphor and salvia warded against misfortune, an idea inspired by Ottoman medicinal knowledge. L’Erbe is a gathering of classical and decorative shapes from Italian and Ottoman iconography, a protective bouquet as an ode to nature’s bounteous gifts.

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