Chester Beatty Library Shop

Oooo, so many pretty books and postcards. The selection reflects the eastern interests of the museum itself so expect to find beautiful books on obscure and not-​so-​obscure topics. Eastern art, religion and society are very much the flavour of the day. A lovely little spot for a browse.

One of my favourite shops in Dublin, my bedroom is kitted out with all kinds of knick-​knacks picked up in this effervescent gift shop. The goods are acquired from or influenced by destinations all over the world in homage to the Library’s wealthy compilation of goods collected by Lord Beauty whilst on his far-​reaching travels. This makes for an exceedingly wide-​ranging and colourful selection of things on offer. A lot of ‘Chester Beatty’ custom-​made bits and pieces are available (as are the conventions with gift shops) such as stationary, postcards and posters, but it is the swarm of other things from further afield including carved elephants and Tibetan peace flags from Nepal, maps, incense, ethnic bed covers, woven baskets with designs influenced by Morocco, paper mache Christmas tree decorations each featuring intricately painted patterns, singing bowls and durgas from Tibet as well as a wealth of Japanese wall hangings that really get me excited and are immensely catching to the eye. An impressive selection of books on everything from travel, world religions, calligraphy, international cookery, art and philosophy as well as several books written by the Library’s curators are stacked up on the centre table. The selection and vivid quality is startling but does come at a price. I recently bought a small jotters pad with a ribbon that you tie around the outside to close it made by Florentine paper-​merchants Il Papiro for a costly € 12. The shop also boasts a diverse gifts section for kids that include lovely books, CD’s and jigsaws. Offering up a plethora of worldly goods to gaze at, you’ll find yourself browsing the shelves, baskets, walls and tables all awash with unconventional gifts for hours at a time.

After visiting the Chester Beatty Library, I couldn’t help but feel like my collection of books and art was pitiful. All the beautiful manuscripts that Lord Beatty collected from his numerous travels around the world made me envious.
It’s a good thing that the gift shop next to the museum sells similar stuff. The shop mainly stocks books pertaining to art and religion. It also sells miniature smiling Buddhas and little cobras, the kind of idols you would pray to. There were some delicate wooden statues of Jesus, but they cost an arm and a leg. But I suppose that you have to pay the price for good art.
One more thing worth mentioning is the shop’s eclectic collection of Tarot Cards. It sells Leonardo Da Vinci Tarot, Jane Austen Tarot, Celtic Tarot and the list goes on. These pretty illustrations will put you back 20 quid!