Iris , Design with a History

In the same way that a writer confronts an empty page, a sculptor a rough block of marble or the empty space for an architect, we face the development of a design, first in paper and then in leather. Today we want you to know about the creation of a design in particular, its origin and its evolution from the beginning. A design with pedigree and a lot of emotions within that make it more beautiful and rich, beyond its lines. We are getting close to Iris and its history.

As you well know, Meryan started its journey following the founder’s endeavour. Ángel López-Obrero wanted to recuperate the past centuries splendour of our city and the techniques of embossed leather. The endeavour of a dreamer that more than half a century later is still a success. There are many collections but one of them is the most special. It is “Ángel’s collection”. This collection includes many of the first designs and drawings that the artist did in 1950 decade. All of them are still our mark of identity. Within this collection we find “Iris”, a very refined design as a result of the detailed and dedicated observation that López-Obrero did of the decoration of the Caliphal city of Cordova.

Iris, takes its name from the decorative motives of this flower that is displayed in The Great Mosque of Cordova and the city-palace of Medina Azahara.  Studies have identified the presence of the iris in ivory boxes, marble and limestone plates as well as articles made of silver as Hixam II casket (the original is in Girona Cathedral). The meaning of this flower has been always linked to the purity and good fortune, so it was linked to The Prince during the Caliphate. Ángel López-Obrero designed a symmetrical pattern full of meaning and at the centre we find this three petal flower. Its long stems and its lancet shaped leaves are curved and they are also stylised in both sides of the flower, creating a vegetable, symmetric and natural framework.

Iris design has been evolved and adapting to different articles, not only decorative pieces as boards and paintings but also in personal accessories as diaries, bags and purses. From bulbous shape to a more stylised lines, from vertically to flat structures. In all cases they are unique and beautiful articles, don’t you think?.