It is something of a joke among my friends that I love museums or, more accurately, their gift shops. On my last several trips to New York, I spent hours in the gift shops and saw not a single exhibit.

Sue me. I think the gift shops offer a really fabulous array of interesting pieces often drawn from the museum’s own collection or period influences. And so it is here, with this great Chinoiserie pendant necklace (and it has matching earrings and a cuff – be still my heart) from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Museum explains, “Our splendid pendant necklace is based on a necklace pictured in a rare catalogue in the Museum’s collection, which was issued about 1920 by Dreicer & Co. of New York (1868–1927). In its day, the firm rivaled Cartier, and was noted for its fine adornments in platinum, diamonds, and pearls. Dreicer & Co.’s necklace illustrates the popularity of Chinese motifs in Art Deco jewelry designs of the 1920s.

Imitation rhodium overlay, with carved resin, Czech crystals, glass, and cultured freshwater pearls. Box-and-tongue closure. 32”L; pendant: 2 1/4”L.”

I learned something – imitation rhodium overlay?? I also can’t help wishing the carved resin was actually glass. Well, at least the pearls are real, and the price is great: USD $90, $81 for members. The matching earrings are USD $50 ($45 for members) and the cuff bracelet is USD $125 ($112. 50 for members). I know where I’ll be heading on my next visit….