Beyond the Museum Shop: Unique Gifts for Art Lovers with Real History
Trinh HaiQuick answer: The best gifts for art lovers are pieces with a source: a named technique, a period and a design drawn from a real object. Our silk ties and scarves are woven or printed in Hanoi with Ly Dynasty motifs, so they are wearable folk art. Silk neckties start at $142 and a 26 inch scarf is $97.
What is a good gift for an art lover?
One that has a source. An art lover will turn a gift over to see where it came from, and a replica from a museum shop has no answer to that. A piece of folk art with a named technique, a period and a design drawn from a real object has several.
That is what we try to offer: wearable pieces whose patterns come from the carved stone and pottery of the Ly Dynasty (1009 to 1225), printed or woven in Hanoi. They suit people who like folk art gifts because they can be worn, not stored.
Which piece suits which art lover?
Let the way the recipient dresses decide.
- He wears a tie to work: a jacquard silk necktie, from $142, with the pattern woven in. See silk neckties and Jacquard vs Printed Silk Ties.
- She loves the Ly dragon: the Dragon Dreams scarves, with four dragon heads at the corners turned to a bodhi leaf.
- She loves ceramics and gardens: the Imperial Lotus scarves, drawn from the lotus of the royal lake of Thang Long, with butterflies and dragonflies. See Vietnamese Lotus Symbolism.
If you can give only one piece of wearable art, let the way the recipient dresses decide. A man who wears a tie to work will understand a jacquard silk necktie, from $142, at first touch; a woman who reaches for scarves will go straight to the print, and the Dragon Dreams scarves carry the same soft Ly Dynasty line. Quote BLOG5 at checkout for 5% off.
How do you check that a piece is genuine?
Ask three questions. Where was it made? What is the technique? What is the design drawn from? We can answer: hand-printed or woven in Hanoi, 100% mulberry silk, and designs drawn from Ly Dynasty carving. The checklist in What Makes a Luxury Silk Scarf works for any maker.
What should you write on the card for an art lover?
Name the thing the person looks at. "For the one who always stops at the carved doorway" says more than "Happy birthday." A story card is in the box, and a handwritten note in your words goes beside it.
What is the honest limit with an art lover?
A silk gift is wearable art, not a framed print. If your art lover wants something to hang, look elsewhere. For someone who wears ties or scarves, it is a good fit. More suggestions are in the silk scarf gift guide, gifts for mom and silk neckties, and all our guides are in one place.
Orders leave Hanoi in 1 to 3 business days and reach a US address 9 to 15 business days later. Import duty is already paid, shipping is free from $90, and returns are open for 30 days.
Answers for Unique Gifts for Art Lovers
What is a good unique gift for an art lover?
A piece with a documented source works better than a replica. A jacquard silk tie or a hand-printed silk scarf with a Ly Dynasty motif gives an art lover a technique, a period and a story to talk about.
Are silk ties a good gift for someone who loves art?
Yes, if he wears a tie. A jacquard tie has the pattern woven into the cloth, and ours carry designs drawn from Ly Dynasty art. Silk neckties start at $142.
What should I give an art lover who already has everything?
Choose a story over a brand. A wearable piece such as a silk scarf with a motif drawn from real carving gives them something to explain and keep, which a mass-produced luxury item rarely does.
How do I choose a gift for someone who loves history?
Look for provenance and technique. Our scarves and ties use motifs from the Ly Dynasty, 1009 to 1225, and the story card in the box says where each design comes from.
