Shopping at a museum gift shop is often just as enjoyable of an experience as viewing the exhibits. The items for sale are usually a carefully curated collection of gifts and collectibles that represent the exhibits in meaningful ways. But did you know you don’t have to go to a museum in person to shop at museum gift shops online?
While spending the day strolling through an art museum is an unbeatable experience, some are just too far away to visit or you may be too busy during the workweek. If you’re looking for the perfect gift but don’t have time to actually tour a museum, you can check out museum gift shops online to find one-of-a-kind gifts while also supporting a good cause. Museum gift shops directly benefit the museum, meaning your purchase will go right back to the museum’s mission.
One institution with an eclectic online gift shop is the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. From wearables to decor to stationary and books, this is definitely one of the best museum gift shops online to shop at when looking for something special while supporting the arts. Here are some of our favorite items in their collection.
Jan van Huysum Vase of Flowers Scarf
Scarves that feature popular artwork have become very popular in art museum gift shops as a way to add a pop of color to any outfit. This 100% polyester scarf features the oil on canvas painting Vase of Flowers in a Niche by Jan van Huysum, painted around 1715.
The rich colors and moody feel of the painting make this the perfect subject for a scarf, especially thanks to the pop of red. The Museum of Fine Arts also features scarves with paintings from Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, and Katsushika Hokusai, so there’s a scarf for every style.
Antique Map Mova Globe
From pillows to vases to globes, the Museum of Fine Arts’ online shop features a wide variety of decorative objects that will instantly enhance any space in your home. One of the standout pieces is a globe featuring an antique map, made to look authentically vintage with its yellow palette.
Despite its classic looks, however, this Mova globe is one of the most advanced globes you can find online. This globe rotates silently inside a clear acrylic sphere with help from the sun. Its advanced solar power technology has inner workings that allow light to continuously pass through and power the mesmerizing movements, creating an artistic optical illusion.
Tattoos in Japanese Print Book
Some of the most popular purchases at museum gift stores are coffee table books featuring stunning artwork from the museum’s collections. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston has an incredible collection of these books online, including Tattoos in Japanese Print, one of the most vibrant and graphic books on the list.
This book explores the history of tattoos in Japan from traditional symbols to gangs through a genre of Japanese art known as ukiyo-e. This art style flourished in the 17th century through the 19th century, featuring images of beautiful women, kabuki actors, folk tale scenes, erotica, and landscapes on woodblock prints and paintings.
Bookstore Cats Journal
This adorable notebook is perfect for anyone that wants to take notes, keep track of work, write lists, or start a diary. The illustration on the cover and on every page by Jane Mount features cats from bookstores all over the world. Bookstore cats have become a huge phenomenon across the United States and beyond, with people visiting bookstores to not only browse the shelves but pet some friendly and iconic kitties.
Shiva is the Cat-in-Chief of a bookstore in Portland, Indiana, joined by 15 other cat employees at the charity bookstore. WonTon Chop Suey started his career at Chop Suey Books in Richmond, Virginia when he snuck into the back window. He’s been a faithful employee ever since. Fifteen-year-old Tuffie Tufferton inspects boxes at Crooked House Books & Paper in Portland, Oregon, known for sunning herself on the front porch in summer months.
Classic Winnie the Pooh Jack-in-the-Box
It’s not just adults that benefit from a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts’ online shop. There is a cute collection of gifts for babies and toddlers as well, ranging from puzzles to plush toys. This standout jack-in-the-box features Winnie the Pooh as he appeared in the classic books. It also has a vintage illustration on the front, making this one toy you’ll never want to stuff away.
This is a retro toy that’s interactive, making it great for hours of fun. This nostalgic toy has familiar music but also teaches children cause and effect and object permanence.
