To Early to Christmas Shop? Penn Museum is Hosting a Shop Around the World Sale!

To Early to Christmas Shop? Penn Museum is Hosting a Shop Around the World Sale!

With the holiday season approaching, the Museum Shop at the Penn Museum is ready with a wide variety of unusual and one-of-a-kind gift options with one thing in common: they all draw upon a world of human diversity, ingenuity, artistry, and plain old fun, through time and across the continents. Shoppers save 10% (25% for Museum members) at the shop’s two Holiday Sales from November 15 – 20 and December 13 – 21.

As always, the Museum Shop offers up a wide range of fair trade arts and crafts from around the world, as well as clothing, accessories, books, and jewelry inspired by ancient and contemporary world cultures and the Penn Museum’s expansive international collections.

Bling Inspired By Ancient Cultures

For a memorable gift, the shop offers jewelry that reflects the breath of cultures represented in the Museum collections, including: hand-crocheted silk necklaces from the Bursa Valley in Turkey; reproduction pieces of ancient jewelry from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Mesoamerica, and Africa; and contemporary one-of-a-kind artisinal jewelry made by Indigenous artists throughout the Americas. (Prices range from $9.99 – $399.00) 

Central American Pottery

Fair-trade pottery from San Juan de Oriente, Nicaragua makes the perfect gift for someone with unique and bold taste in home décor. Each piece of pottery, featuring strong geometric designs that speak to the Indigenous roots of the region, is meticulously hard-carved sgraffito style from tools fashioned from bicycle spokes. The purchase of these pieces directly benefits the artisans and social projects in their communities. (Prices range from $9.99 – $285.00).

African Art

Shop from our unique hand-crafted, fair-trade, and ethically sourced collection of art from throughout Africa. Add a burst of color to your home with these handwoven Zulu telephone wire baskets from South Africa. There are wooden statues from Mozambique, Ashanti women’s and men’s fertility dolls from Kenya, and Punu masks from Gabon representing idealized female ancestors’ faces. (double check this – they do not look like Punu masks) (Prices range from $6.99 – $425.00)

Visitors coming exclusively to shop can come in for free. The Museum Shop is open during regular Museum hours: Tuesday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Wednesday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (until 8:00 pm on the first Wednesday of every month); and Thursday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (closed Mondays and major holidays). For more information, call 215.894.4040.