Female Figures
Isabella Stewart Gardner Ornament
$16.95
This ornament of Isabella Stewart Gardner is directly inspired by her portrait painted by John Singer Sargent and displayed in the Gothic Room.
Mrs. Gardner sat for Sargent during his visit to Boston in January 1888. He was paid $3000 for the portrait, which was exhibited to great acclaim at Boston’s St. Botolph Club. The work also inspired gossip and legend: someone jokingly titled it “Woman: An Enigma,” while others believed that the sensuous display of flesh deliberately echoed the scandal recently created by Sargent’s Madame X. Mrs. Gardner herself said that she rejected eight renderings of the face until she was satisfied.
Jack Gardner seems to have asked his wife not to publicly show the portrait again while he was alive, and indeed the portrait was placed in the Gothic Room, which remained private until Mrs. Gardner’s death. In its gallery, surrounded by altarpieces, stained glass, and religious statuary, the sacramental quality noted by nineteenth-century reviewers is even more pronounced.
Ornaments of other subjects and artists featured in the Gardner Museum also available. Complete your collection of Gardner Museum-inspired ornaments with Sargent's vision of the Museum's founder!
RBG Ornament
$16.95
This hand-sewn ornament celebrates the iconic Associate Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This advocate for gender equality and women's rights would have surely been of a favorite of trailblazing Isabella Stewart Gardner.
Are your family holidays getting interesting? Dissent like RBG!
Ornaments of other prominent figures in women's history are also available. Complete your collection of history-inspired ornaments with RBG!
El Jaleo Ornament
$16.95
During his travels in Spain in 1879, John Singer Sargent was mulling over a major work of art in which he could express his love of Gypsy music, dance, and picturesque costumes. On his return to Paris he set to work on a wide horizontal picture whose proportions simulated the shallow stage space of popular musical establishments. He named the painting El Jaleo to suggest the name of a dance, the jaleo de jerez, while counting on the broader meaning jaleo, which means ruckus or hubbub.
The painting was exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1882 with the more explicit title El Jaleo: Danse des gitanes (Dance of the Gypsies). The painting was purchased by American businessman and diplomat T. Jefferson Coolidge in 1882, and was given to Mrs. Gardner as a gift in 1914. Then, as now, El Jaleo resides in the Spanish Cloister of the Gardner Museum, just off the famous Courtyard.
This ornament captures the central figure of Sargent's work, the semi-veiled flamenco dancer, in fluid motion with her skirt in one hand while the other flourishes with the music. Have Sargent's El Jaleo dancer gracefully twirl her way onto your Christmas tree this holiday season!
Ornaments of other subjects and artists featured in the Gardner Museum also available. Complete your collection of Gardner Museum-inspired ornaments with the El Jaleo dancer!
Jane Austen Ornament
$16.95
This ornament features 18th century author Jane Austen, holding a quill and a manuscript. Austen was born in 1775; she authored several major novels, many published posthumously, after her death is 1817.
To borrow from Jane herself, "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single person in possession of a Christmas tree, must be in want of ornaments."
Ornaments of other subjects and authors featured in the Gardner Museum also available. Complete your collection of Gardner Museum-inspired ornaments with Jane Austin!
Frida Kahlo Ornament
$16.95
Frida Kahlo de Rivera was a Mexican artist who painted many portraits, self-portraits and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico.
This ornament of Frida Kahlo shows the painter with palette and brush in hand, wearing a beautifully colored dress.
Ornaments of other subjects and artists associated with the Gardner Museum also available.
St. Nicolas specializes in bespoke handmade hanging decorations. For over 25 years, they worked with a small charity in Thailand that helps disadvantaged rural women find work in their community, rather than having to leave home. Today, some 200 skilled women work at home hand sewing the decorations and many have been doing so for more than ten years!
As their business grew, more innovative designs were needed, so they began working with a partner in India. The Indian-made ornaments use the traditional method of zardozi embroidery, an intricate sewing technique that was developed to embellish courtly robes with gold wires and jewels. Zardozi work is rare, but because of the skill that is needed to create the ornaments, it continues to be handed down from generation to generation.
Blue Suffragist Ornament
$16.95
Isabella Stewart Gardner was an ardent supporter of women’s educational and social advancement during her lifetime. Throughout her life, she kept in close company with many female trailblazers.
This ornament of an American Suffragist wearing a Votes for Women banner over her red, white, and blue regalia is a perfect addition to your Christmas tree this holiday season.
Ornaments of other historical subjects featured in the Gardner Museum also available. Complete your collection of Gardner Museum-inspired ornaments with this American Suffragist!
Joan of Arc Ornament
$16.95
For 25 years St. Nicolas has worked with a small Christian charity in Thailand that helps disadvantaged rural women find work in their community, rather than being forced to leave home to work in a factory. Today, some 200 skilled women work at home sewing our decorations, and many of them have been doing so for more than 10 years. All the historical figure decorations are made in this way as well as numerous other designs. The Indian Christmas decorations are made using the traditional method of zardozi embroidery. Zari (meaning gold) embroidery originated in Persia and reached India in the 12th century. It is a highly skilled embroidery technique that traditionally used gold wires and jewels to embellish courtly robes. Zardozi work is a rare and respected craft, the skills of which are handed down from generation to generation.
Botticelli's Venus Ornament
$16.95
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is home to three of Sandro Botticelli's finest works: The Tragedy of Lucretia, The Nativity, and Virgin and Child with an Angel.
This ornament features the figure of the goddess Venus arriving at the shore after her birth, when she had emerged from the sea fully-grown. She is instantly recognizable from Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, currently on display in the Uffizi Gallery in Italy.
Ornaments of other subjects featured in the Gardner Museum also available. Complete your collection of Gardner Museum-inspired ornaments with Botticelli's Venus!
Harriet Tubman Ornament
$16.95
Harriet Tubman was an 19th century abolitionist and political activist. She was born into slavery circa 1822. Tubman escaped slavery and assisted in some thirteen missions to rescue approximately seventy enslaved people, family and friends via the Underground Railroad.
This ornament of the heroic Harriet Tubman emphasizes the danger associated in her missions. She carries a lamp to help guide her way, a shotgun over her shoulder, and a messenger bag.
Ornaments of other subjects and historical figures associated with the Gardner Museum also available.
St. Nicolas specializes in bespoke handmade hanging decorations. For over 25 years, they worked with a small charity in Thailand that helps disadvantaged rural women find work in their community, rather than having to leave home. Today, some 200 skilled women work at home hand sewing the decorations and many have been doing so for more than ten years!
As their business grew, more innovative designs were needed, so they began working with a partner in India. The Indian-made ornaments use the traditional method of zardozi embroidery, an intricate sewing technique that was developed to embellish courtly robes with gold wires and jewels. Zardozi work is rare, but because of the skill that is needed to create the ornaments, it continues to be handed down from generation to generation.
Medusa Ornament
$16.95
Evocative of the gorgon that lies at the very heart of the Museum, this ornament of Medusa with her serpentine locks is said to have the power to ward off evil (and will surely not turn you into stone).
St. Nicolas specializes in bespoke handmade hanging decorations. For over 25 years, they worked with a small charity in Thailand that helps disadvantaged rural women find work in their community, rather than having to leave home. Today, some 200 skilled women work at home hand sewing the decorations and many have been doing so for more than ten years!
As their business grew, more innovative designs were needed, so they began working with a partner in India. The Indian-made ornaments use the traditional method of zardozi embroidery, an intricate sewing technique that was developed to embellish courtly robes with gold wires and jewels. Zardozi work is rare, but because of the skill that is needed to create the ornaments, it continues to be handed down from generation to generation.
Red Suffragist Ornament
$16.95
Isabella Stewart Gardner was an ardent supporter of women’s educational and social advancement during her lifetime. Throughout her life, she kept in close company with many female trailblazers.
This ornament of an American Suffragist wearing a Votes for Women banner over her red, white, and blue regalia is a perfect addition to your Christmas tree this holiday season.
Ornaments of other historical subjects featured in the Gardner Museum also available. Complete your collection of Gardner Museum-inspired ornaments with this American Suffragist!
Rosie the Riveter Ornament
$16.95
With her hair in a red kerchief and her sleeves pulled up, Rosie is ready to work on your tree! As a reminder to stay strong, Rosie flexes her forearm. This handmade ornament of the riveting Rosie makes a great gift for all the strong women in your life.
Measures 6.5 x 2 inches
Elizabeth Bennet Ornament
$16.95
Elizabeth Bennet—also known to friends and family as Eliza or Lizzy—is the protagonist of the 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Ornaments of other characters from Jane Austen's novels—including Lizzy's love interest, Mr. Darcy—also available.
Ornaments of other subjects and literary figures featured in the Gardner Museum also available. Complete your collection of Gardner Museum-inspired ornaments with Elizabeth Bennet!
Medusa Face Ornament
$16.95
Evocative of the gorgon that lies at the very heart of the Museum, this ornament of Medusa with her serpentine locks is said to have the power to ward off evil (and will surely not turn you into stone).
St. Nicolas specializes in bespoke handmade hanging decorations. For over 25 years, they worked with a small charity in Thailand that helps disadvantaged rural women find work in their community, rather than having to leave home. Today, some 200 skilled women work at home hand sewing the decorations and many have been doing so for more than ten years!
As their business grew, more innovative designs were needed, so they began working with a partner in India. The Indian-made ornaments use the traditional method of zardozi embroidery, an intricate sewing technique that was developed to embellish courtly robes with gold wires and jewels. Zardozi work is rare, but because of the skill that is needed to create the ornaments, it continues to be handed down from generation to generation.
Well Behaved Roundel Ornament
$16.95
St. Nicolas specializes in bespoke, handmade holiday decorations. For over 25 years, St. Nicolas has worked with a small charity in Thailand and India that helps disadvantaged rural women find work in their community, sewing decorations at home. Their Indian-made decorations are crafted using the traditional method of Zardozi embroidery, a highly skilled technique handed down from generation to generation that traditionally uses gold wires and jewels to embellish robes.
3.5 inches diameter
Rosa Parks Ornament
$16.95
American Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks showed great courage while protesting segregation and racial injustice. We celebrate her as one of the leaders of the Civil Rights Movement and for starting the Montgomery Bus Boycott, one of the largest social movements in history.
St. Nicolas specializes in bespoke handmade hanging decorations. For over 25 years, they worked with a small charity in Thailand that helps disadvantaged rural women find work in their community, rather than having to leave home. Today, some 200 skilled women work at home hand sewing the decorations and many have been doing so for more than ten years!
As their business grew, more innovative designs were needed, so they began working with a partner in India. The Indian-made ornaments use the traditional method of zardozi embroidery, an intricate sewing technique that was developed to embellish courtly robes with gold wires and jewels. Zardozi work is rare, but because of the skill that is needed to create the ornaments, it continues to be handed down from generation to generation.
Eleanor Roosevelt Ornament
$16.95
St. Nicolas specializes in bespoke handmade hanging decorations. For over 25 years, they worked with a small charity in Thailand that helps disadvantaged rural women find work in their community, rather than having to leave home. Today, some 200 skilled women work at home hand sewing the decorations and many have been doing so for more than ten years!
As their business grew, more innovative designs were needed, so they began working with a partner in India. The Indian-made ornaments use the traditional method of zardozi embroidery, an intricate sewing technique that was developed to embellish courtly robes with gold wires and jewels. Zardozi work is rare, but because of the skill that is needed to create the ornaments, it continues to be handed down from generation to generation.
Ballerina in Blue Tutu Ornament
$16.95
As evidenced by the dancing figures in Mrs. Gardner's collection (seen in works by Edgar Degas, Louis Kronberg, and John Singer Sargent to name but a few), Mrs. Gardner was very taken with dancing of all kinds.
Beautiful in blue en pointe, this ornament is sure to remind you of some of the dancers you may have enjoyed in the Palace!
Ornaments of other subjects and dancers featured in the Gardner Museum also available. Complete your collection of Gardner Museum-inspired ornaments with this ballerina!
Mary I Ornament
$16.95
This ornament captures Queen Mary I of England, after the famous portrait of the Queen by Antonis Mor in 1554. The portrait hangs in the Dutch Room, on the second floor of the Museum.
This eye-catching gold-accented ornament of Mary Tudor will ensure that your Christmas tree will rule this holiday season!
Ornaments of other subjects featured in the Gardner Museum also available. Complete your collection of Gardner Museum-inspired ornaments with Mary Tudor!
Juliet Ornament
$16.95
For the eternally and hopelessly romantic, here is your Juliet! Romeo ornaments are also available; reunite the star-crossed lovers on your Christmas tree.
Other ornaments of Shakespeare and the Bard's other characters also available.
Ornaments of other subjects featured in the Gardner Museum also available. Complete your collection of Gardner Museum-inspired ornaments with Juliet!
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