Gifts

Covid19 Block Image

For information regarding tourism and the Nationality Rooms, affected by the Covid-19 virus.

German Nestler Eggs

Made in Germany, these decoupaged containers of various sizes can be filled with treats!

Swedish Witch

In Sweden, on Skartorsdag, Maundy Thursday, children dress up as Easter witches with long skirts, colorful headscarves and painted red cheecks. They go from house to house and present the occupants with paintings and drawings in hopes of getting sweets in return.

The tradition comes from the old belief that witches would fly to a Blakulla, the Blue Mountain, in Germany on the Thursday before Easter to cavort with Satan. On the way back the Swedes would light fires to scare them away, a practice honored today with bonfires and fireworks in the days leading up to Easter Sunday.

Swedish Woodcraft

The mountainous regions of many European countries are known historically for their wood working skills. The Swedish style is know for their whimsical designs.

Springtime Matrushka

Made in Russia, a spring maiden containing a family, duck, rabbit and eggs.

Italian Wine Stoppers

Examples of Italiam ceramics, limoncello cups and wine corks.

Pysanka

Our pysankas of Ukrainian design contain symbols related to Easter and spring and convey good wishes for the person receiving the egg. The decorated egg is a universal symbol of eternal friendship. It stands for the renewal of faith in a relationship and implies a great deal of love.

Matrushkas from Russia

Matrushkas are stacking/nesting dolls from Russia.The first Russian nested doll set was carved in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin from a design by Sergey Malyutin, who was a folk crafts painter at Abramtsevo.

Welsh Lovespoons

The age old tradition of the Welsh peasantry to give their loved ones a carved wooden spoon as a token of affection goes back many centuries. The English speaking term, to go spooning is almost certainly derived from this old Welsh custom.

La Vie Parisienne Jewelry

This collection originates in old Parisian workshops established over 200 years ago. The elegant designs are rendered from the original molds that were created by the artists of the celebrated jewelry perios from 1900 through the 1930's. The pieces are set with brilliant Swarovsky crystals and delicately enameled.

Terra Cotta Warriors

The Terracotta Army or the "Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses", is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210–209 BC and whose purpose was to protect the emperor in his afterlife.

The figures, dating from 3rd century BC, were discovered in 1974 by some local farmers in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi province, near the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (Chinese: 秦始皇陵; pinyin: Qín Shǐhuáng Ling).

Baltic Amber Jewelry

Baltic amber is the fossilized resin or sap from extinct prehistoric coniferous pine trees which formed a huge forest 40-60 million years ago at the present location of the Baltic Sea. This lightest of organic gems sometimes has inclusions of entrapped flora, fauna and insects.

Polish Wooden Boxes

These beautiful boxes are made of seasoned Linden wood, from the Tatra Mountain region of Poland. The skilled artisans of this region employ centuries old traditions and meticulous handcraftsmanship to create a finished product of uncompromising quality. The use of feathered corner joints and raised interior lining ensure its enduring value as a lasting keepsake. These boxes are entirely decorated by hand, using various combinations of carving, brass and copper inlays, burning and staining techniques.