There are few places in New York that produce truly unique gifts that are treasured by the recipients from day one and forever. Tiffany’s of course. Also, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Each item purchased at the museum has a history. Many times the gift links to a current exhibit and tucked inside the box will be a printed explanation giving background information—what inspired the design, for example. Wear a pin that resembles one worn by a queen and you may feel like a queen.
This story can never do the Met’s Store justice. You can shop online or through the catalog. But to really shop, take a trip to the museum. See an exhibit and then visit the shop to select something for a gift or for yourself. Don’t overlook the Met’s book collection, including incredible coffee table books with vibrant illustrations. And, of course, holiday decorations are truly wonderful and will be treasured for years to come.
Note: If you plan to do a lot of shopping, become a museum member and take advantage of museum discounts.
Russian Imperial Wild Rose Necklace
Who wouldn’t want to wear a necklace once worn by an empress? You can with this beautiful necklace adapted from the original Wild Rose Brooch, an objet d’art of gold and enamel from around 1900 that was owned by Russian Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (1872-1918).
Produced in cooperation with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond.
Made expressly for the Metropolitan Museum in the United States.
$198.75 non-member price
$178.87 member price
Byzantine Vine Bangle Watch
Give someone the gift of time—with style. This intricately-detailed grapevine pattern adorns a Byzantine Vine Bangle Watch. It is based on the design of a heavy gold bracelet from 6th century Karavas, a small town near the principal seaport on Cyprus’s north shore of Lambrousa (ancient Lapithos).
$95 non-member price
$85.50 member price
Frank Lloyd Wright® Coonley Playhouse Cuff Links
The whimsical design on these cuff links is adapted from a stained-glass window made by Frank Lloyd Wright for a playhouse in the Avery Coonley House. Authorized by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Taliesin West, Scottsdale, Arizona.
$55 non-member price
$49.50 member price
Set of Four Venus Bangles
What woman—young or old—doesn’t love the feel of gold bangles on her wrist? With these you can feel like Venus. In Paolo Veronese’s Mars and Venus United by Love cupid is depicted binding the leg of the goddess of love to that of the god of war, as another cupid restrains Mars’s horse. Love trumps war; harmony and goodwill prevail. Above all, the painting extols the sensual. Venus’s nudity is set off by her jewelry-strands of pearls in her hair and around her throat, pearl earrings, and exquisite gold bracelets. It is from one of these bracelets that the Museum’s Venus Bangle Bracelet Set is developed.
$175 non-member price
$157.50 member price
19th Century English Watch
The Museum’s 19th Century English watch adds the perfect final touch to any outfit. Its classic design is based on an original gold pocket watch (English, ca. 1815-30) with a secondary basket patterned dial and blue-steel hands.
$250 non-member price
$225 member price
Japanese Poppies Scarf
The rich colors and fine details of Poppies, a painting by Kitagawa Sosetsu (Japanese, flourished 1639-50) are beautifully captured in the design of this scarf.
$55 non-member price
$49.50 member price
Cylinder Seals Tie
Give that special guy history he can wear around his neck. The cylinder seal’s design is based on the Museum’s three hematite cylinder seals carved during the second millennium B.C. in the eastern Mediterranean. Real and mythological animals are shown on all three seals. One depicts a pharaoh, a motif carried over from Egypt, while another shows a powerful figure dominating the animals that surround him.
$50 non-member price
$45 member price
Giovanni Bologna: Medici Horse
This beautiful horse will make a statement in anyone’s home or office. The Museum’s sculpture is based on a model by Giovanni Bologna (Italian, 1527-1608) that was probably cast in the workshop of sculptor Giovanni Francesco Susini (Italian, ca. 1575-1653).
Produced in cooperation with the Princely Collections of Liechtenstein.
$395 non-member price
$355.50
Frank Lloyd Wright Travel Clock
Give someone a clock to travel in style. The whimsical design on these cuff links is adapted from an art glass window in the Avery Coonley House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The shapes in the original are believed to have been a parade of balloons, flags, and confetti.
Authorized by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Taliesin West, Scottsdale, Arizona.
$95 non-member price
$85.50 member price
Russian Imperial Egg Candleholders
These delightful candleholders are adapted from original jeweled eggs by Fabergé.
Made expressly for The Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States.
$50 non-member price
$45 member price
For more information, go to www.store.metmuseum.org
