Art Scarves and Shawls Inspired by The Met Collection
The Met Store’s scarves, shawls, and wraps boast patterns and motifs from the Museum’s holdings, but you can lend a personal touch in the way you style your accessory. Tie, twist, loop, and drape—our versatile scarves transform any outfit into a work of art. Below, shop a selection of new and beloved Met Store scarves, each made to be worn in your own unique way.
Concourse of the Birds Oblong Scarf
Ideal for dramatic draping or a take on a timeless Italian twist, the Concourse of the Birds Oblong Scarf—fabricated in a light but luxurious cashmere blend—can define your look by adding a pop of color and texture, or elevate your outerwear on a chilly day.
The lively motif featured on both sides of the scarf references an illustrated manuscript (ca. 1600) of Farid al-Din Attar’s mystical poem Language of the Birds in The Met’s Islamic Art collection. The text comprises a series of parables narrated by a hoopoe—a strikingly patterned species of crested bird—who leads a flock representing individual souls on a journey to find the mythic simurgh, a benevolent winged creature symbolizing spiritual unity.
Specifically, this artful accessory reimagines the illustration decorating "The Concourse of the Birds," a charming folio added to the manuscript in the early 17th century. Signed by Habiballah of Sava (Iranian, active ca. 1590–1610), the painting depicts the hoopoe addressing his avian companions before they depart on their quest.
Edo Blossoms and Butterflies Embroidered Shawl
The roomy, wool-silk Edo Blossoms and Butterflies Embroidered Shawl lends itself to all manners of draping. Simply toss one end over your shoulder for a simple, effortless look.
But be sure to show off the shawl’s eye-catching embroidery, which reimagines an exquisite Edo-period (1615–1868) outer robe known as an uchikake, typically reserved for formal occasions or stage performances.
Pillowy peonies and plum blossoms create an exuberant motif, with delicate butterflies fluttering between the blooms. These auspicious symbols of springtime, joy, longevity, and marital happiness are well suited to the original late 18th–early 19th-century robe's enduring use in traditional Japanese wedding ceremonies. Our shawl is complete with self-fringe edges and lurex butterflies for a little shimmer.
Van Gogh Stylized Nature Double-Sided Square Silk Scarf
There are multiple ways to style a classic square silk scarf, so mix it up or choose a signature look. The Van Gogh Stylized Nature Double-Sided Square Silk Scarf features details from two artworks originally by Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853–1890) for added versatility—plus, the complementary color schemes of the images lend themselves to all seasons.
Van Gogh was enchanted by nature, which he avidly observed en plein air and indoors. This luxurious silk-twill scarf celebrates the artist's profound fascination. His cheery Olive Trees (1889) is one of five pictures of olive orchards that Van Gogh made in November 1889. "What I've done is a rather harsh and coarse realism beside their abstractions," he described, "but it will nevertheless impart a rustic note, and will smell of the soil."
On the reverse side of the scarf is a detail from Bouquet of Flowers in a Vase (1890).
Though it shares stylistic similarities with some of his earlier compositions, its moody palette and graphic brushwork link it firmly with the landscapes he made just before his death in July 1890.
Momoyama Cranes and Flowers Oversize Silk Shawl
This oversize silk shawl is designed to be styled in various ways. Opt for a reverse drape so that both ends of the scarf cascade down the back, or simply wrap it around your shoulders to show off the elegant composition of auspicious cranes among flowers.
The design comes from a pair of Japanese folding screens, which present the image in a seasonal progression from spring to winter as a suggestion of longevity. The original screens, now in The Met’s Asian Art collection, were made in late 16th-century Japan during the Momoyama period (1573–1615), when exaggerated, high-relief details were popular. Vivid colors and strong ink outlines against a golden background are characteristic of Kano Motonobu (Japanese, 1476–1559), founder of the famous Kano school of painting, while the boldness is evocative of his grandson Kano Eitoku (Japanese, 1543–1590).
Four Seasons Paisley Square Wool Scarf
In the early 19th century, luxurious shawls from Kashmir became indispensable fashion accessories for the stylish European woman. The patterns on these costly, hand-woven shawls generally incorporated the boteh form, an ancient Persian motif based on the tree of life. Paisley, which is derived from the boteh design, gets its name from the Scottish town that produced many of these shawls until they fell out of favor in the 1870s.
A mid-19th-century French or Scottish example (shown above) in The Met collection, presenting a "four seasons" layout swirling around a central point, informs our stylish wool interpretation with self-fringe edges.
The shape of this scarf is perfect for a casual wrap around one shoulder (shown above), or the sophisticated Triangle Knot style (shown below), which showcases the rich colors and patterns of the accessory in a thoughtful—but seemingly effortless—fashion.
Victorian Foliate Jacquard Shawl
The lush foliate pattern adorning the border of this glamorous shawl evokes Chandos (ca. 1873), an elaborate textile design by Owen Jones (British, 1809–1874).
Though Jones was a trained architect, his best-known legacy is perhaps The Grammar of Ornament, a book of design principles and international decorative motifs, published in 1856. An inspirational guide for designers, Jones’s book maintained significant influence throughout the second half of the 19th century.
Our shawl features a special fil coupé, or “cut threads,” jacquard technique by which the binding threads on the back of the fabric are cut off to make the finished product lighter. The neutral color palette goes with any look, while a lurex-blend base adds a subtle, elevated shimmer, perfect for dressier occasions.
British Flowering Vines Embroidered Scarf
The kaleidoscopic British Flowering Vines Embroidered Scarf pays tribute to a spectacular British coif—a type of snugly fitting cap—in The Met's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts collection.
Patterns of birds, insects, and flowers enveloped by scrolling vines, or rinceaux, were immensely popular during the late 16th and early 17th centuries; by the 1580s, portraits of Queen Elizabeth I and her courtiers were depicting the sitters wearing richly embroidered sleeves decorated with an early monochrome version of this pattern, which may derive from similar motifs found in Islamic Spain. Crafted in the early 17th century, the Museum's colorful linen adornment is embellished with metal thread and sparkling sequins.
This eye-catching scarf speaks for itself—a classic loop or drape is enough to enhance any outfit.
Unique Gifts for Her
Shop our complete collection of scarves and wraps inspired by the Museum's holdings in-store and online.