Umbrellas have always been classed as utility items – a shelter from the scorching heat and heavy rain. Given the availability of custom-build options, corporates are also utilizing them as a budgeted yet effective marketing strategy. Logo printed umbrellas are handed out as promotional tools to extend business reach while also communicating the essence of a brand.
However, rarely do we regard these art umbrellas as exceptional works of art. Their wide canopies offer designers an ideal canvas to play with colors and designs. There is a wide selection of umbrellas that are walking pieces of art. We’ve scoured the market for the 10 best art umbrellas 2020. Take a look and make your pick.
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1. The Egyptian Cat Umbrella
This art umbrella is an exclusive product of the British Museum. The canopy is embellished with black and gold motifs of the Egyptian cat and other hieroglyphics printed against an impressive blue background.
The motif is a print recreation of the Gayer Anderson cat sculpture present in the British Museum. Legend has it, that Goddess Bass (Bastet) was often represented as a female body with a cat head. She is highly revered in Egyptian households. Its 90cm-wide, 100% polyester canopy and sturdy aluminum frame offer ample coverage in wet conditions.
2. Chihuly Pergola Umbrella
Our list of the best art umbrellas 2020 is incomplete without a mention of the pretty yet sturdy Chihuly Pergola Umbrella. The umbrella features a traditional black canopy on the outside. The design on the underside is a riot of colors, one that makes you look forward to using it. It is influenced by Dale Chihuly’s painting of the Pergola Ceiling. The automatic open and close function enables smooth operation. A touch of the button reveals a large 42’’ polyester canopy. The Teflon coating gives you a 100% waterproof and fast-drying umbrella. The frame is aluminum construction with a non-slip rubber handle for better handling comfort.
3. National Museum of Korea, Yellow Flower Umbrella
The next gorgeous umbrella on our list of best art umbrellas 2020 is the floral themed umbrella from the National Museum of Korea. This collapsible umbrella features an intricate arrangement of flowers and butterflies across the canopy. The floral design is an artwork by Nam Il-ho, an artist popular in the Joseon Dynasty. The brightly colored Morgan Library Umbrella red yellow, blue, and red flowers complement the subtle off-white background.
Its 55cm polyester canopy is supported by a metal frame comprising a small amount of nickel. Despite being lightweight, it is strong enough to resist blustering winds. This auto-open/close umbrella measures 26cm when packed down.
4. The Morgan Library Umbrella
If you are considering useful novelty gifts, the Morgan Library Umbrella fits the bill. On the outside, it’s not too pretentious. It has a dark-black colored exterior stamped with the words “The Morgan Library and Museum” on one of the canopy panels. The Morgan Library Umbrella features on our list of the best art umbrellas for the splendid design on the inside. Every panel depicts vibrant images of the library. At 37 inches in diameter, it is a regular-sized umbrella and tapers to 11 inches when folded. The canopy is made of nylon and the umbrella includes an automatic button to open and close.
5. Van Gogh Almond Blossom Umbrella
This is yet another floral themed umbrella on our list of best art umbrellas 2020. Inspired by Van Gogh’s “Almond Blossom” painting, its sky blue, white, and green color scheme lends a fresh look. This artistic umbrella has a diameter of 95cms. The foldable design makes it very compact; simply fold the umbrella and stash it into your purse or shoulder bag when not in use. The package also includes a sleeve for convenient carrying. The canopy fabric is 100% waterproof polyester built on an aluminum shaft and 8 fiber ribs. The plastic handle gives a good grip.
6. The British Museum Squidarella
Squid London has pioneered the trend of color-changing rainwear and the British Museum Squidarella is one of them. There’s nothing more stunning than an umbrella that changes color when wet. And so, it’s on our list of the best art umbrellas 2020.
Fashioned in a regular size, the canopy is made of waterproof polyester. The silkscreen printing technique makes the design highly durable. Take your umbrella out into the rain to see its criss-cross black and white exterior display the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, the Union Jack, a red bus, and the museum’s Greek temple inspired pediment.
7. Jesus and the Four Evangelists Tiffany Umbrella
Designed as a unisex umbrella, Jesus and the Four Evangelists Tiffany Umbrella is built to offer optimum coverage in the heaviest of rainstorms. It’s 58-inch-wide, 100% polyester canopy is ideal if you want to share your umbrella with a friend. This brolly is about 40” inches in length (handle included) when closed. An automatic operating mechanism also ensures you never have to struggle with opening or closing the umbrella. Speaking of looks, the 8 rich and multicolored panels create an impression of magnificent glass paintings recreated on fabric.
8. Hayao Miyazaki Umbrella
This high-quality, best art umbrella 2020 looks like it came straight out of an illustrated storybook. The canopy comprises two layers: a solid black fabric for the outside and an illustrated fabric layered on the underside. The wooden finish of the long Maosan shaft with its hooked handle adds an old-world charm. The hook makes it easy to hang and carry around. The umbrella is around 58.5 cm long when closed.
9. The Royal Cup Gold Umbrella
This best art umbrella 2020 is fashioned after the stately Royal Gold Cup artifact on exhibit at the British Museum. It is another exclusive item from the line-up of British museum accessories on sale. The pictorial representations on the Royal Gold Cup Umbrella portray scenes from the Martyrdom of St. Agnes.
10. FAMSF’s Roses Umbrella
Created by the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, the roses umbrella is a perfect piece to flaunt in the spring showers. This is an exclusive product from FAMSF’s range of floral designs which also feature poppies, Monet water lilies, and petunias. The vibrant red and blush roses standout out against the backdrop of a white canopy. The roses umbrella is 34 inches in diameter. It is designed as a fully retractable umbrella featuring an auto-open function.
The umbrellas listed above are our picks of the 10 best art umbrellas 2020. There are plenty more that are not only aesthetically alluring but extremely useful too. Choose an art umbrella for yourself based on what you intend to use it for.
Hfumbrella, the professional art umbrella manufacturer in China, and producing amazing umbrellas for the museum, designers all over the world.
