14 Inspired Art and Design Gifts for Valentine’s Day
Whether your loved one is into bold design or romantic treasures, here are a few stirring finds
Art and design enthusiasts don’t need to look far to find the perfect gift this Valentine’s Day. From a silver-plated tray by Christofle etched with words of affection to a reproduction of Brancusi’s The Kiss sculpture, passion has been crafted into every piece. And whatever your loved one is into, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our selection of top inspired tokens that won’t disappoint.
1. Compartés chocolate truffle heart-shaped gift box is equal parts romance and deliciousness. With 35 multiflavored truffles decorated with colorful Valentine’s Day patterns, there’s something for everyone; $150. deanandeluca.com
2. Christofle’s silver-plated Graffiti tray is evocative of the passion of young love with scribbled words of affection and imagery, including peace signs, hearts, and flowers; $455. christofle.com
3. Verner Panton’s Pop Art–inspired Heart cone chair is a bold and lively midcentury piece for the design aficionado; $4,375 (available online only). store.moma.org
4. This bracelet from Lalique’s latest jewelry collection, Trois Hirondelles, features three swallows sculpted in flight and set in pearlized crystal on a medallion. A longtime emblem of the crystal house, the birds are meant to symbolize the coming of spring and good fortune; $550. lalique.com
5. A collaboration between Astier de Villatte and sculptor Serena Carone, these whimsical mugs with rings for handles add instant style to your morning fix. Handmade in Paris, they’re available at John Derian; $272 each. johnderian.com
6. Fornasetti’s Don Giovanni collection brings the drama and seduction of Mozart’s famed opera into a series of furniture pieces and decorative objets, including this plate with a lithographic image of muse Lina Cavalieri donning a red eye mask; $210. leclaireur.com
7. Jeweler Sandrine de Laage’s Boyfriend ring (two rings that are, in fact, intertwined) is an elegant upgrade from the boyfriend shirt. And it’s handmade in New York; $3,700. sandrinedelaage.com
8. Inspired by vintage binocular cases and named after American humorist and essayist Robert Benchley (member of the famed Algonquin Round Table), Mark Cross’s Benchley bag in red textured leather is a sophisticated tote with a top handle and shoulder strap. Biting wit required; $2,795. markcross.com
9. This brass Heart key ring created by Carl Aubock is a loving accessory to wear and keep close when on the go; $85. designstore.theglasshouse.org
10. This reproduction of Constantin Brancusi’s The Kiss depicts a male and female figure in a loving embrace. The originals were carved directly from a limestone block and can be found in major museums around the world; $95. guggenheimstore.org
11. Diptyque’s Valentine’s Day Roses collection celebrates the scents of the Centifolia and Damask roses. This limited-edition series of candles and perfume comes so gorgeously packaged with illustrations of flowers that you’ll want to keep long after; candle: $72, perfume: $65. diptyqueparis.com
12. The tropical bird-of-paradise plant influenced Lladró’s Heliconia jewelry collection, which is handcrafted from enameled porcelain and sterling silver plated in 18K gold; $245. lladro.com
13. Master French chocolatier Patrick Roger’s heart made of dark Madagascar chocolate and cocoa almond is the ultimate confection of love. And if it isn’t clear to your loved one, it is engraved with the words Je t’aime; €35. patrickroger.com
14. Conceptual artist Barbara Kruger is known for works that express provocative statements via equally bold collaged text images. For this tote, she turns her message to love, placing it in her signature colors of red, white, and black: $68. shop.whitney.org