Story of Fake Louis Vuitton Design Quatrefoil

Louis light and Louis dark design in our collection has changed its name to Quatrefoil  to avoid misunderstanding about this simple black and white opposite pattern. Read full story and you will understand why we choose to play this opposite game. There is not only black and white, good and evil, there is very thin line where both of them are in balance. Number 4 in numerology stands for balance, stability and Earth as plane with 4 directions, 4 winds, 4 seasons. Number 4 is “being”, it is the number that connects mind-body-spirit with the physical world of structure and organization. Four symbolizes the safety and security of home, the need for stability and strength on a solid foundation of values and beliefs.

  Flag of New Mexico, consists of sacred red sun symbol borrowed from Zia tribe symbolism. 

 Four pointed star also known as the Star of Bethlehem or natal star, this star represents both Jesus' birth and the purpose for which he was born.                                                                                                                                                                      

This pattern was made based on ancient national heritage symbols all around the world and also in France - 4 leaves decor known as ''quadrilobé'' and it is a decorative element consisting of a symmetrical shape which forms the overall outline of four partially overlapping circles of the same diameter. It is found in art, architecture,  heraldry and traditional Christianity symbolism. It has used not only in ancient folk art patterns but also still is used in modern time heraldry attributes, for example, in logo of Conseil General of french department Alps-Maritimes (French Riviera) where we live and where our products are made.

French department Alpes-Maritimes was part of Italy till 1793, when first French Republic Conquered these ancient Romain territories. Nobody knows from where and when exactly these geometric symbols took their place as french symbolic heritage. ''Quadrilobé'' could be found in architecture in one of famous Venice's private Gothic palaces Ca'D'oro.

and many Gothic style chapels and Roman cathedrals in France, England and other parts of Europe. Four leaves pattern is well known in Japanese folk art and Oriental patterns.

Probably had more deeper roots connected to ancient believes about how this world is constructed, including legend of 4 rivers coming from North pole and dividing Earth plane by their waters.

Portugal uses 'Quadrilobé' shapes in  their euro coins in different combinations.

Colorful ''Quadrilobé'' decors was used in Designer Handbag Mugs

''Quadrilobé'' decors is widely used in French GIEN ceramic floor tiles and plates as inspiration form oriental patterns.

Earliest Louis Vuitton in their experimentation with different geometric patterns also included several forms of ''Quadrilobé'' even included simple chessboard pattern, but never claimed to own any of these geometric patterns.

As Bernard Hasquenoph mentioned in his article published in webpage louvrepourtous.fr very interesting facts, hidden from most of brand lovers, way back on October 22, 2010 about Louis Vuitton 150 anniversary exhibition, gathering together for the first time the iconic trunks and luggages which have embodied the Art of Travel for more than 150 years. Exibition also has showed the Gien earthenware tiles that cover the walls of the kitchen of the Vuitton family home in Asnières at the time and has almost the same pattern.

Louis Vuitton family used several simple geometric patterns, but non of them was possible to claim as their own original, so "Georges Vuitton seeks inspiration in his intellectual environment" ... and in his cuisine tiles:), which is not clearly confirmed, of course.

But Louis Vuitton key to success was not its geometric pattern, but unique patented lock system. In 1886, his son George invented and patented an ingenious locking system that made it impossible to pick the  lock of their trunks. The same lock is still used today as it were for for old times luggages and trunks made from wood by highly mastered crafts men.

Charles Vuitton invented monogram LV after death of Louis in 1896 and it was integrated in simple geometric patterns containing diamond shape, circle and 4 leave shapes. Since than the real success story begun and now the company operates in 50 countries with more than 460 stores worldwide.

If you wish to read more about scandalized Louis Vuitton brand history exposition in Carnavalet museum in Paris (2010), which gathering together for the first time thier iconic trunks and luggages which have embodied the Art of Travel for more than 150 years, click here and take a look in some of earlier Louis Vuitton geometric elements shown at this exposition.

More detailes about scandales around this most loved french brand known all around the world is documented in book  "Louis Vuitton, a French saga" by Stéphanie Bonvicini, edition, Fayard, 2004, where she revealed their links to french Vichy government in period of WWII, which Vuitton family was not happy to share with public.

Wood gifts with ''Quadrilobé'' pattern as iconic part of french culture and history and be aware that famous brand Louis Vuitton sells their products only in their own shops and in their official webpage. Our engraved wood gifts has different pattern  and does not contain LV monogram. We offer to engrave your own monogram, name or any other text integrated in this pattern and have a fun playing around your own stereotypes and perception.

See more of them here

The world is not what you think it is ......

I hope you had got an other inspiration to learn more about language of symbols.

Find our ''Quatrefoil'' design in our travel mug and thermos product pages here. 

Thank you for reading,                                                                                                 

-Lita-