Carnegie snow globe en route for holidays
-
Carnegie Museum's new commemmorative snow globe is based on one of its most popular exhibits, "Arab Courier Attacked by Lions." -
The "Arab Courier Attacked by Lions" diorama -- mesmerizing kids for the past 116 years at the Carnegie Museum.
Share with others:
At long last, the snow globes are coming.
Last December the Carnegie Museum of Natural History announced it was issuing a limited-edition snow globe based on one of its best-known exhibits, the "Arab Courier Attacked by Lions" diorama.
About 100 people placed orders, but it has taken until now for the globes to be completed and shipped from the manufacturer in China. An order of 1,000 is expected to reach the museum some time this week. They are priced at $39.95.
"We know they're in the states," said Carnegie spokeswoman Leigh Kish. "We hope they'll arrive by the end of the week but can't guarantee it in time for Christmas."
Meanwhile, shoppers can buy gift certificates for the globes in person, by calling the Museum of Natural History gift shop at 412-622-3309, or online at www.naturalhistorystore.com.
Certificates may be redeemed at the gift shop, and the museum will ship the globes if requested. That's good to know considering this posting on the Transportation Safety Administration's Web site:
"TSA does not permit snow globes through the security checkpoint because they contain an undetermined amount of liquid. Snow globes are permitted in checked baggage," it says, but does not mention the likelihood of them arriving intact.
The Arab courier diorama, depicting a robed man on a camel using his saber to fight off a now-extinct Barbary lion, has been transfixing patrons since the museum opened 116 years ago. It is arguably the most iconic piece in the entire natural history collection, the one visitors most remember from field trips in their youth.
The figure inside the globe is made of polyresin. Instead of artificial snow flakes, the glass sphere contains flecks of gold leaf that mimic a sandstorm when shaken.
The globe is intended as the first in a series of Carnegie Memories to be issued at the rate of one a year.
Next up: the long-necked Diplodocus carnegii, also known as Dippy the dinosaur, an enormous model of which stands outside the museum. Like the Arab courier, the Dippy snow globe will be 4.73 inches in diameter.
Artists are working on prototypes now. The initial order number will depend on sales of the Arab courier, said Ms. Kish. The museum hopes the finished Dippy globes will be available in October.
First Published December 15, 2010 12:00 am
