The Met Store Bags*Chinese Peony Oversize Structured Tote

A Museum tote bag inspired by The Met collection.

This sturdy tote with a collapsible base borrows its stylish motif from a Chinese vase crafted in the 11th–early 12th century during the Northern Song dynasty (960–1127) and now in The Met collection. The complicated technique used to decorate the Museum’s vessel is often referred to as

sgraffito

, an Italian term meaning “scratched.” Covered by a white slip followed by a black slip, the jar was carefully carved to reveal the eye-catching peony-scroll design adapted here.