What better way to welcome the spring season than with a fresh assortment of new jewelry? We've scoured the globe by way of The Met collection for inspiring artworks and objects, plucking plenty of motifs from nature, including Japanese butterflies, Egyptian scarabs, and a charming Swiss frog.
Below, preview The Met Store’s latest jewelry, artfully designed to revitalize your spring wardrobe.
Meiji Butterfly Jewelry
Butterflies are beloved subjects in Japanese art, not only for their poetic beauty but for their association with longevity and springtime. This shimmering jewelry in both delicate and statement designs is inspired by the mother-of-pearl butterflies decorating a marvelous Japanese box in The Met’s holdings of Asian art.
Likely reserved for ceremonial tea utensils, the Museum’s Meiji-period treasure—bequeathed by the visionary collector, silversmith, and Tiffany & Co. designer Edward C. Moore (American, 1827–1891)—boasts magnificent craftwork and serves as the most significant example of a Japanese lacquer technique known as maki-e (meaning “sprinkled picture”) in Moore’s expansive collection.
Moore is the subject of the much-anticipated exhibition Collecting Inspiration: Edward C. Moore at Tiffany & Co., on view at The Met Fifth Avenue from June 9 to October 20, 2024.
Unicorn Brooch
This fanciful unicorn evokes the mythological creature in The Unicorn Rests in a Garden (1495–1505), a remarkable French and South Netherlandish textile at The Met Cloisters.
The Museum's beloved medieval masterwork may have been created as a single image, though it’s considered one of the seven so-called Unicorn Tapestries, which rank among the most impressive extant artworks from the late Middle Ages.
The unicorn likely signifies tamed love, as the pomegranate tree to which it’s loosely tethered symbolizes marriage and fertility.
Lotus Pagoda Plique-à-Jour Jewelry
Our luminous jewelry pays homage to the “Lotus Pagoda” lamp, a Japanese-inspired design realized by Tiffany Studios (American, 1902–32) around 1900–15. Now in The Met's American Wing, this remarkable lamp with a geometric motif—the largest and rarest example of its kind—was owned by an apprentice in architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio.
A similar model would be displayed in Wright’s Fallingwater, a landmark house built in the mountains of southwestern Pennsylvania in the 1930s. Our elegant adornments mimic the luster of the lamp’s Favrile-glass elements with plique-à-jour enameling, a technique that allows light to shine through the material.
Egyptian Feather Jewelry
Earrings have long been popular adornments in the Near East, but they weren’t widely worn in Egypt until around 1500 B.C. A fabulous Egyptian earring (ca. 1295–1186 B.C.) boasting what was likely intended to represent a feather pattern serves as the inspiration behind our new collection.
Our designs reenvision the inlaid lapis lazuli on the original with transparent hand enameling for a little shimmer.
Kashan Carpet Jewelry
The kaleidoscopic patterns punctuating this jewelry come from a magnificent 16th-century Kashan carpet in The Met’s Islamic Art collection.
Named after an Iranian city where silk carpets have long been produced, Kashan carpets with such a fine, entirely silk construction are rare and intricate creations; only about 20 are known to survive, and four are in the Museum’s holdings. This particular example belongs to a small group of silk weavings with an exceptionally high knot density. Rows upon rows of small, hand-tied knots reveal spectacular patterns.
This jewelry pairs perfectly with our new Kashan Carpet Square Scarf.
Wedjat Eye Scarab Jewelry
The scarab beetle was one of the most popular amulets in ancient Egypt—the insect was associated with the sun god Re, and was believed to possess powers of self-regeneration.
These vibrant adornments reimagine a faience scarab (ca. 1479–1458 B.C.) bearing a wedjat eye—a healing symbol of rebirth—on its underside in brilliant turquoise. For added versatility, the pendant on our necklace spins to reveal two different designs.
European Cameo Jewelry
The cameos defining this jewelry reinterpret the “Marlborough Gem,” a 19th-century adornment in The Met’s European Sculpture and Decorative Arts holdings.
So named for reputedly belonging to a collection formed by the fourth duke of Marlborough, the original ornament features a central cameo based on a Roman type in which the subject glances over her shoulder.
She’s framed by an assortment of smaller cameos—added by a subsequent owner—a few of which may claim classical origins. This ensemble illustrates the age-old practice of incorporating cameos to build pieces of greater complexity.
Egyptian Nefer Amulet Jewelry
This handcrafted collection evokes a splendid Egyptian collar (ca. 1504–1450 B.C.) of amulets featuring the “nefer” hieroglyph, which signifies a word meaning “good” or “beautiful.” The auspicious symbolism of the Museum’s adornment suggests that it may have been made to bring good fortune to the wearer—in this case, a wife of the pharaoh Thutmose III.
Our contemporary visions of this outstanding broad collar are both eye-catching and lightweight for an effortless statement.
American Mackay Jewelry
A pair of 19th-century cups and saucers epitomizing Gilded Age splendor inform our dazzling enamel jewelry.
The Museum’s gilded silver and enamel treasures belong to one of the nation’s most lavish dinner services, consisting of over 1,250 pieces. They were designed by Edward C. Moore, the visionary leader of the silver division at Tiffany & Co. (American, 1837–present), for John W. and Marie Louise Hungerford Mackay, who became one of the wealthiest couples in America upon the discovery of a significant silver deposit in Nevada.
The stylized flora characterizing our contemporary collection are plucked from the colorful detailing on the original, which was described in Tiffany & Co. records as “Indian” in style.
Egyptian Heart Scarab Jewelry
This eye-catching jewelry calls upon a remarkable heart scarab (ca. 1492–1473 B.C.) belonging to an Egyptian nebet per, or housemistress, by the name of Hatnefer.
Heart scarabs were popular amulets in ancient Egypt; a righteous heart was essential for transcendence to the afterlife, so the Egyptians used amulets such as this one in The Met collection to ensure favorable judgment.
This extraordinary heart scarab in The Met collection bears a version of a chapter from the Book of the Dead engraved on the base, in which the deceased urges her heart not to bear witness against her during her final judgment. Hatnefer’s name, however, was inserted over an erased text, indicating that the amulet wasn’t originally made for her.
Swiss Frog Brooch
This brooch nods to a 19th-century Swiss automaton in the form of a pearl-laden enamel frog with ruby eyes.
A mechanism animates the original frog (shown below), now in the Museum’s collection of musical instruments, allowing it to jump and croak. Automata have delighted spectators for centuries, and The Met is home to a number of outstanding examples.
Etruscan Lion Jewelry
The regal lion featuring in this golden jewelry comes from an Etruscan ring forged in the early 5th century B.C. and now in The Met’s Greek and Roman art collection.
While the original lion was engraved into the gold ring as an intaglio, our designs present the creature as a raised relief, lending a sculptural quality to each voluminous yet notably lightweight piece.
The Museum’s ring, from a tomb group supposedly from the ancient town of Vulci, belongs to one of the richest and most impressive sets of Etruscan jewelry ever unearthed.
Royal Scarab Jewelry
This timeless jewelry looks to a vivid scarab ring (ca. 1887–1813 B.C.) that once belonged to the Egyptian princess Sithathoryunet.
The scarab beetle, a symbol of the sun god Re, became a popular amulet type during the Middle Kingdom (ca. 2030–1650 B.C.) when the princess’s ring was made. We’ve honored its bold coloring with opaque, hand-applied enamel.
Shop new and beloved designs in-store and online.
Artful Jewelry FAQs
How do I start a timeless jewelry collection?
Building a timeless jewelry collection is like building a capsule wardrobe. Focus on classic pieces that transcend trends. Think simple diamond or pearl studs, delicate gold chains, and sleek hoop earrings. These versatile staples can be layered or worn alone for any occasion.
What is artistic jewelry?
Artistic jewelry prioritizes design and self-expression over material value. It can be handcrafted by individual artists or smaller studios, often incorporating unique materials, techniques, and symbolic elements. Think one-of-a-kind pieces or collections with a distinct artistic vision.
What is the significance of scarab beetle jewelry?
Scarab beetles were revered symbols of rebirth and transformation in ancient Egypt. Jewelry depicting scarabs wasn't just decorative, it was believed to bring good luck and protect the wearer in the afterlife. Scarab jewelry has seen a resurgence in popularity throughout history, and can still hold personal meaning or simply add a touch of ancient symbolism to your look.
How to care for pearls?
Pearls are delicate and require special care to keep them luminous. Wipe them gently with a soft, damp cloth after wearing to remove sweat and cosmetics. Store them in a soft pouch or fabric-lined jewelry box, away from harsh chemicals, heat, and other gemstones that could scratch them. Let them breathe by avoiding airtight containers, and take them off before showering, swimming, or exercising. With this care, your pearls will grace your neck for years to come.
What to wear with a brooch?
Brooches are versatile! Dress them up on jackets, blazers, or coats, or add a touch of whimsy to denim jackets, sweaters, dresses, or even hats. Consider the brooch's size and style—pair a delicate piece with a finer fabric and a bolder brooch with something sturdier. Play with color and contrast, or let your brooch be the statement piece on a neutral outfit. There are no wrong answers, so have fun and experiment!
