Aïn Kassimou

Aïn Kassimou
Alternative names	Ain el Quassimou
General information
Town or city	Marrakesh
Country	Morocco
Design and construction
Main contractor	Olga Tolstoy

Ain el QuassimouorAïn Kassimouis a villa inMarrakech.It was originally built in the late 19th century forLeo Tolstoy's relative,Olga Tolstoy.In the 1980s, it was purchased byFrenchsports billionairePatrick Guerrand-Hermèsand redeveloped, and is now part of Royal Polo Club de la Palmeraie.

Estate

The villa sits on 30 acres (12 ha).It was built for Olga Tolstoy and was later bought byBarbara Hutton.Guerrand-Hermès, formerly director ofHermès,created the Aïn Kassimou in the style of a 19th-century Moroccan house. He had, in particular, a passion for the arts and culture of Morocco where he lived for 50 years, and was an avid lover oforiental artsand horses. This estate now exhibits his art collections.The estate includes the Royal Polo Club de la Palmeraie where U.S.AmbassadorFrederick Vreelandand his wife built a home in 1980.

Fittings

Hermes developed a collection of fine art to reflect the spirit of the place. He purchased pieces by Orientalist painters as well as painters of everyday life. The works, depicting scenes from Morocco and Algeria, were acquired in London, New York, and Paris. In addition to 176 paintings and other works on paper, the collection included Islamic art, furniture, jewelry, and weapons.The 1953 portrait ofGianni Agnelliwith a rose fromMarella Agnelli's garden, painted byRichard Avedon,is in the bedroom of the villa.Among the sporting paintings isHorseman with a SloughibyHenri Émilien Rousseau.Other important pieces includeThe Going Out of the Pacha(1869) byAlfred Dehodencq;paintings and drawings ofMoroccankasbahsbyEdy Legrand;The girl carrying water in the garden of MajorellebyJacques Majorelle;andThe Fountain of Bab el-OuedbyCharles-Théodore Frère.Hermes completed this set with ethnic jewelry. There are amber necklaces and silver brooches, and weapons such as swords, daggers, pistols and rifles.

Grounds

Marella Agnelli engaged the architectBill Willisto build the pool pavilion in the Aïn Kassimou grounds. The gardens were created by the landscape designerMadison Cox.Royal Polo Club de la Palmeraie (Au Royal Polo Club de la Palmeraie) is apolovenuewithin the grounds.