Worldly Possessions
 They say good things come in small packages. But when a gift evokes memories of home in a faraway land or an exotic travel destination halfway around the world, it can take on significance and meaning far beyond the price tag. Whether it be a favorite bejeweled gold bracelet or colorful silk necktie reminiscent of the splendor of India; a scented soap, decorative dish, or travel diary that recalls the beauty of the Hawaiian islands; or a commemorative watch or elegantly prepared presentoir of caviar to bring the sights and smells of Moscow back to mind, the best gifts are carefully chosen and treasured long after they’ve been received. We present to you Celebrated Living’s global gift guide. Travel with us on this journey and discover some of the most unique and precious gifts in all the world.
BY WILLIAM KISSEL
Gift photography by John Parrish
Styling by Melanie Peskett
MOSCOW
Under a blanket of snow glistening in the summer sunshine, Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square is pure visual confection, especially enjoyed while savoring a re-creation of the “czar’s menu” at Red Square 1, the sophisticated restaurant on the top floor of the State Historical Museum that looks directly down on the square. If you’re still craving a room with a view, check out the skyline’s newest hotel, the Ararat Park Hyatt Hotel, where you can enjoy a caviar and vodka sampler from the rooftop Conservatory lounge. Make time for a bit of haute couture shopping at the Tretyakovsky Proyezd followed by a historical tour of the Kremlin. Catching a ballet at the Bolshoi provides the perfect ending to a thoroughly memorable day.
Setting the mood, clockwise from top left: Marco Bicego three-strand white gold and pavé diamond bracelet, $35,410, (866) 424-2346, www.marcobicego.com * Jay Strongwater wood box with sultan’s crown finial, $395, (877) 254-0940, www.jaystrongwater.com * Blissliving Home carved spheres scented candles, $30 per pair, (866) 952-5477, www.blisslivinghome.com * Stanley Korshak Russian lynx jacket, $12,000, (214) 871-3626, www.stanleykorshak.com * Armani Casa shagreen Verso flask, $585, matching magnifying glass, $295, and letter opener, $235, (212) 334-1271, www.armanicasa.com * Martin Dingman shearling gloves, $275, through Stanley Korshak, (214) 871-3626, www.stanleykorshak.com * Petrossian Scepter caviar presentoir, $325, and 4 3/8 ounces of Royal Transmontanus caviar, $366, (800) 828-9241, www.petrossian.com * Buccellati horn and sterling silver Vivaldi caviar spoon and knife set, $480, (800) 476-4800, www.buccellati.com * Ivanka Trump reversible rock crystal and diamond earrings, $35,500, and matching ring (above), $9,000, (212) 756-9912, www.ivankatrumpcollection.com * Bochic bakelite cuff with diamonds, $12,500, (212) 659-7743, www.bochic.com * Sevan gold with silver overlay Icon ring with sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and pearls, $4,080, through Stanley Korshak, (214) 871-3626, www.stanleykorshak.com * Umbra Katarina nesting dolls, $83, (800) 387-5122, www.umbra.com * Cartier yellow gold and diamond Santos watch with Saint Basil motif, $82,900, (800) 227- 8437, www.cartier.com
SHANGHAI
Shanghai offers many surprises, not the least of which is Renmin Guang Chang (the People’s Square) dominated by the Shanghai Museum and Grand Theater. In the afternoon, a satisfying walk through the five-acre Garden of Contentment leads to the Oriental Pearl Tower, where the city unfolds in all is panoramic glory from the 88th-floor observation deck. A visit to the Jade Buddha Temple puts you in just the right frame of mind for shopping at Madame Mao’s Dowry, a two-story emporium of local kitsch and historical relics. Continue to travel back in time at Mansion Hotel, a French manor house in the French Concession district that hasn’t changed since the 1920s, then it’s on to a night of dinner and dancing at Barbarossa, a four-level club on the lake in the People’s Park.
Setting the mood, clockwise from top left: Jay Strongwater enamel Chinese dragon figurine, $2,600, (877) 254-0940, www.jaystrongwater.com * Fortnum & Mason Hot Young Chinese ginger, $15, (877) 533-2636, www.fortnumandmason-usa.com * Louis Vuitton black varnish minaudiere, $1,530, (866) 884-8866, www.louisvuitton.com * Henry Dunay gold, diamond, black jade, and coral bead necklace, $129,000, (800) 888-2525, www.henrydunay.com * Cartier black lacquer and yellow gold fountain pen with Chinese detail, $4,600, matching lighter, $2,200, and sterling silver with palladium finish dragon cuff links, $560, (800) 227-8437, www.cartier.com * Mrs. John L. Strong pagoda note cards, $135 for box of 20, (877) 677-7876, www.mrsstrong.com * Baccarat 18k gold and pink mordore crystal cuff bracelet, $11,000, and matching ring, $3,400, (800) 777-0100, www.baccarat.com * Roberto Coin 18k white gold snake bangle with rubies and diamonds, $30,900, (800) 853-5958, www.robertocoin.com * John Hardy silver Naga Dragon Kick cuff with diamond pavé, $4,995, (888) 838-3022, www.johnhardy.com
BARCELONA
From the drippy windows and walls of La Pedrera (Mila House) and Casa Batlló to the gothic masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia, which remains unfinished more than 82 years after Antoni Gaudi’s death, the complex work of Spain’s greatest architect provides a feast for the eyes throughout this artistically vibrant seaport city. Nevertheless, there are plenty of other artistic wonders to be found in Barcelona, including museums devoted to Picasso and Miró. A quick plate of paella in front of the Magic Fountain of Montjuic followed by a stroll through Las Ramblas, the city’s most expansive shopping street, ultimately leads to El Xampanyet, the hip spot to enjoy a glass of fine Spanish wine and hot tapas. Head back to the art nouveau Hotel Casa Fuster for a late afternoon siesta before pulling an all-nighter at the fashionable nightclub Razzmatazz or one of the many bars that flank Las Ramblas and keep the city alive until all hours of the night.
Setting the mood, clockwise from top left: Jay Strongwater enamel Koi wine stopper, $195, (877) 254-0940, www.jaystrongwater.com * Henry Dunay diamond and multicolored tourmaline necklace, $204,200, and gold and platinum Cynnabar bracelet, $77,220, (800) 888-2525, www.henrydunay.com * Etro tooled leather diary, $281, (212) 317-9096, www.etro.it * Philip Stein wine wand with holder, $325, through Saks Fifth Avenue, (800) 330-8497, www.saks.com * Mulholland cotton/polyester foulard passport wallet, $92, and leather-wrapped brass spyglass, $134, (877) 685-4655, www.shopmulholland.com * Kotur cracked mirror D’Abo minaudiere, $750, www.koturltd.com * Etro enamel cuff links, $260, (212) 317-096, www.etro.it
DELHI
The 17th-century Red Fort, or Lal Quila, and the city’s largest mosque, Jama Masjid, dominate India’s capital while the two architectural gems also point the way to other New Delhi landmarks, including Humayun’s Tomb, Rajpath Castle, and the Buddhist’s Tibet House. Even with so many mansions and monuments, it’s easy to get lost between the old city and the new. Find your bearings at The Imperial, a stately 1930s hotel that, like the city itself, is a mix of old and new architectural styles. The hotel restaurant, San Gimignano, is a great place to plan your day trip to nearby Agra, where the white-marble Taj Mahal, considered one of the eight wonders of the world, awaits exploration.
Setting the mood, clockwise from top left: Dolce & Gabbana Delhi bracelets, $195 for a set of three, (212) 965-9848, www.dolcegabbana.com; * David Yurman 18k medium box chain necklace, $10,200, and Renaissance Mosaic Enhancer with garnet, pink tourmaline, amethyst, and pavé diamond, $4,100, (877) 908-1177, www.davidyurman.com * Etro beaded necklace, $238, (212) 317-9096, www.etro.it * D.L. & Co. Violet Absolute candle, $130, (213) 624-9010, www.dlcompany.com * Jaysharee 18k gold with diamonds, emerald beads, and pink tourmaline drop earrings, $6,000, and 18k gold Navaratna bracelet (on tie) with rubies, pearls, diamonds, coral, cats-eye, hessonite garnet, yellow and blue sapphires, $13,750, both through Stanley Korshak, (214) 871-3626, www.stanleykorshak.com * Jay Strongwater gold-plated and enamel Ganesh figurine, $1,100, (877) 254-0940, www.jaystrongwater.com * Stefano Ricci yellow gold and diamond elephant head cuff links, $3,700, (212) 371-3901, www.stefanoricci.it * Etro enamel cuff links, $260, silk paisley neckties, $150 each, and faux jewel ring, $198, (212) 317-9096, www.etro.it
LANA‘ I
From the moment you land in the middle of a large volcanic crater known as Palawai Basin, you’ll realize that Lana‘i is unlike any other Hawaiian island. Once carpeted with pineapples, Hawaii’s sixth largest island is renowned for its pristine beaches, mountainous terrain, dense pine forests, and well-preserved petroglyphs. Lana‘i City, the town that Dole built, is a time machine to the island’s early 20th-century plantation heritage. At the same time, the island has modernized just enough in the form of two exclusive Four Seasons resorts: Manele Bay and The Lodge at Koele, both with award-winning golf courses and plenty of activities to keep solitude at bay, should you wish. If it’s the sound of silence you seek, look out to sea to the Cathedrals, a light-filled underwater snorkeling grotto untouched by human hands.
Setting the mood, clockwise from top left: Robert Marc tortoise sunglasses, $465, (212) 675-5200, www.robertmarc.com * Terry Klerein-designed Ho’omaikai basket, $650, and Dreams Come True 18-strand natural Corundum sapphire necklace, $12,800, both through the Mike Carroll Gallery/Lana’i, (808) 565-7122, www.mikecarrollgallery.com * Lee Allison dolphin print silk necktie, $90, (888) 434-8437, www.leeallison.com * Caswell-Massey Key West bath soap, $35 for set of three, (800) 326-0500, www.caswellmassey.com, in a Buccellati sterling silver pineapple dish, $595, (800)476-4800, www.buccellati.com * Baade II rhodium-plated sterling silver cuff links with lapis and abalone shell, $425, (609) 340-8650; resting on an Hermés leather Ulysses mini notebook, $135, (800) 441-4488, www.hermes.com * Smythson leather photo frame key ring, $160, (866) 769-8476, www.smythson.com * Bronze baby sea turtle sculpture by Doris Park, $80, (800) 728-9339, www.max-cast.com * Henry Dunay diamond and spearmint moonstone Sabi necklace, $89,100, and diamond and South Sea pearl bracelet, $123,630, (800) 888-2525, www.henrydunay.com * Buccellati shell dish, $340, (800) 476-4800, www.buccellati.com * Jay Strongwater enamel turtle magnifying glass, $395, (877)254-0940, www.jaystrongwater.com
Background wall coverings, featured throughout this story, by Maya Romanoff and available at design centers nationwide. www.mayaromanoff.com
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