The Orient 499 MET Carafe: A Handcrafted Tribute to Heritage and Art
Introduction
Orient 499’s MET Carafe isn’t just another table vessel—it’s a testament to Lebanese craft heritage, centuries-old design traditions, and sustainable luxury. Created by skilled artisans in Lebanon and curated for The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store’s Heirloom Project, this carafe embodies Orient 499’s mission to preserve cultural knowledge while celebrating timeless, functional beauty.
In this post, we’ll explore the story of the MET Carafe, the inspiration behind its form, the craftsmanship that defines it, and how Orient 499’s partnership with The Met Store honors artistry across cultures and generations.
About the Heirloom Project at The Met Store
In 2021, The Met Store launched The Heirloom Project—a collection of contemporary products that honor and reimagine the Museum’s vast holdings, especially its celebrated Islamic Art collection. Curated with an eye toward sustainability, heritage techniques, and artistic integrity, the project brings together artisans and brands that uphold traditional craftsmanship in a modern context.
Orient 499 was chosen for its deep commitment to Lebanese artisanal practices and its philosophy of celebrating what is “perfectly imperfect”—each handmade object marked by the artisan’s touch and the cultural legacy behind it.
The Inspiration Behind the MET Carafe
The MET Carafe was inspired by classical forms found in The Met’s Islamic Art collection. In particular, it nods to 19th-century Qajar-period glass vessels, themselves heirs to centuries of Near Eastern and Mediterranean design.
–Elegant silhouette:
The carafe’s slender neck and rounded body reference antique glass and ceramic forms seen in Syria, Egypt, and Iran.
–Timeless purpose:
Made for serving water, wine, or even flowers, it bridges functional design with sculptural beauty.
–Historical dialogue:
Each carafe becomes a quiet conversation with history—an object that could sit comfortably in a museum case yet feels at home on a modern table.
By connecting Lebanese craft traditions with The Met’s encyclopedic art holdings, Orient 499 offers a design that is at once local and universal.
Lebanese Craftsmanship at Its Heart
Orient 499’s commitment to sustainability and heritage is more than a tagline—it is the brand’s core purpose. For the MET Carafe, this means:
Local materials: Glass is sourced from Lebanon, celebrating the land itself.
Hand-blown techniques: Artisans in Sidon shape each carafe by hand. No two pieces are alike, with subtle variations in form and shape that reveal the maker’s hand
This devotion to local craft sustains knowledge that is under threat in Lebanon due to economic crisis, urbanization, and globalization. By supporting these artisans, Orient 499 keeps traditional practices alive while providing fair, dignified work.
Curated for The Met Store
The MET Carafe was selected for The Heirloom Project by The Met Store’s curatorial team—including Madeline Weinrib, who worked as guest curator for the initiative. Weinrib identified and championed brands like Orient 499 whose work reflects the Museum’s mission to celebrate cultural heritage and timeless design.
This selection process ensures that every item in the Heirloom Project resonates with the spirit of The MET’s collections while also supporting artisans around the world today. The MET Carafe is a perfect embodiment of this approach:
Authenticity: It’s not a reproduction of an ancient object, but a modern piece informed by historical design.
Cultural storytelling: It honors Lebanese craft within a global art context.
- Sustainable practice: It meets contemporary standards of ethical production.
A Piece That Belongs in Your Home
The MET Carafe is designed for modern living while staying rooted in tradition. It is:
Versatile: Use it as a water or wine carafe, a vase, or a standalone art object.
Unique: Each piece carries the marks of handcraft, making it one-of-a-kind.
Meaningful: It sparks conversation about cultural heritage, sustainability, and the power of the handmade.
When you bring the MET Carafe into your home, you connect to a lineage of design stretching back centuries while supporting living artisans who continue these traditions today.
A Commitment to Sustainable Luxury
Orient 499 has long championed what it calls "perfectly imperfect" design—embracing the human touch in every object. The MET Carafe represents this commitment in practice:
Ethical production: Artisans are paid fairly, and traditional skills are sustained for future generations.
Minimal environmental impact: Made from local materials with minimal waste.
Longevity: Designed to be used and cherished for years, reducing the need for disposable alternatives.
In a world of mass production, the MET Carafe stands as a counterpoint—proof that beauty, functionality, and ethics can coexist.
FAQ
Q: Who made the MET Carafe?
A: The MET Carafe is handcrafted by Orient 499’s artisans in Lebanon. Each piece is individually hand-blown, and fired using local materials and traditional techniques.
Q: What is the Heirloom Project?
A: The Heirloom Project is a special initiative by The Met Store featuring objects from contemporary artisans around the world whose work engages with the Museum’s collections—especially its Islamic Art holdings—through sustainable, heritage-inspired design.
Conclusion
The Orient 499 MET Carafe is more than just a vessel—it’s a symbol of living tradition, cultural dialogue, and conscious design. Selected for The Met Store’s Heirloom Project, it represents a bridge between ancient Mediterranean forms and contemporary craftsmanship, Lebanese heritage and global appreciation.
By choosing the MET Carafe, you not only bring timeless beauty into your home but also support the artisans keeping these invaluable traditions alive.
Explore our collection to discover more objects that honor heritage, sustainability, and the handmade.
