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Grimes | 2021 Met Gala Worn & Screen-Matched Sofia Pavlova Romantic Elf Jewelry "Elven Ears"
Currency:USD
Category:Memorabilia / Music Memorabilia
Start Price:100.00 USD
Estimated At:1,500.00 - 3,000.00 USD
CURRENT BID
0.00USD
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2026 Jun 06 @ 10:00 (UTC-07:00 : PDT/MST)
A pair of custom silver-tone "Elven Ears" ear cuffs designed by Sofia Pavlova of Romantic Elf Jewelry, worn by Grimes at the 2021 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on September 13, 2021 — acquired by Grimes directly from the designer's Etsy shop and incorporated into one of the most widely covered celebrity looks of that year's event. The ear cuffs were subsequently offered at charity auction through Artsy in May 2022 to benefit humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. Acquired directly from Grimes' stylist Turner following the auction.
Video Documentation
[YouTube] "Getting Ready with Grimes for The Met Gala" · Behind the Scenes, Red Carpet & Interview Compilation (2021)
Historical Context
Grimes (born Claire Elise Boucher) is a Canadian musician, producer, and visual artist whose work spans art pop, electronic music, and experimental production. Her 2021 Met Gala appearance — under the theme "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion" — became one of the most widely discussed looks of the evening, generating extensive international press coverage for its conceptual ambition and visual impact.
The full look, developed by Grimes and her stylist Turner, drew directly from Denis Villeneuve's 2021 film adaptation of Dune and incorporated a CHRISHABANA Harkonnen-inspired polished rhodium plated brass mask created in collaboration with Legendary Entertainment and the Dune production (offered separately as Lot 12), the Romantic Elf Jewelry ear cuffs offered here, a custom Iris Van Herpen 'Bene Gesserit' gown , a light-up book, and a sword cast from a melted Colt AR-15A3 rifle that has since entered the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Grimes described the aesthetic as "Medieval futurism" and called it "my favorite look ever."
The ear cuffs were sourced by Grimes from the Etsy shop of Romantic Elf Jewelry, a jewelry design studio operated by Sofia Pavlova. Grimes confirmed this directly on camera in behind-the-scenes footage, stating "these are actually from Etsy" while wearing the ear cuffs approximately ten minutes before departing for the event. Their inclusion in a Met Gala appearance of this scale and visibility represents an extraordinary moment for an independent Etsy-based designer, and significantly elevated the profile of both the pieces and the maker.
On Screen & Red Carpet Use
These ear cuffs are worn by Grimes throughout her documented 2021 Met Gala appearances, including:
September 13, 2021 — Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (2021 Met Gala, "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion")
The ear cuffs are clearly visible across extensive red carpet photography and video coverage of the event. In behind-the-scenes footage captured approximately ten minutes before departure, Grimes is seen wearing the ear cuffs and states: "these are actually from Etsy." They remain prominently visible throughout red carpet interviews with Vogue and Entertainment Tonight and in the Instagram video subsequently posted by Grimes of her full look. The intricate sculptural form and distinctive wing and chain elements of the cuffs are identifiable across all documented footage and photography from the evening.
Specifications
· Designer: Sofia Pavlova, Romantic Elf Jewelry
· Year: 2021
· Type: Ear cuffs (pair)
· Finish: Silver-tone / gold-tone wire
· Construction: Intricately hand-crafted wire-wrapped ear cuffs featuring winged motifs at the upper element, pearl and crystal bead clusters at the center, scrollwork wire filigree, and long dangling chain drops terminating in faceted briolette crystal pendants. The cuffs wrap around the outer ear without piercing, with the pointed tip extending upward to create an elongated elfin ear silhouette.
· Classification: Unique Work (one of a kind)
· Original retail channel: Romantic Elf Jewelry (Etsy)
Screen-Match
The ear cuffs are definitively screen-matched to the pre-show and red carpet footage from the 2021 Met Gala through the combination of highly specific and individually distinctive visual identifiers present on the pieces as currently preserved. The match is supported by the following unique features visible in both the screencapture documentation and the physical objects: the distinctive winged motif at the upper element; the specific placement and grouping of pearl and crystal bead clusters at the center junction; the particular configuration of scrollwork wire filigree extending from the main body; and the length and arrangement of the dangling chain drops with their faceted briolette crystal pendants. No two handmade pieces by Romantic Elf Jewelry are identical, and the specific combination of these elements — individually unique and collectively unrepeatable — provides definitive visual identification of these cuffs as the pair worn by Grimes at the event. A dedicated screen-match graphic is included in the photographic documentation accompanying this listing.
A dedicated screen-match graphic is included in the photographic documentation accompanying this listing.
Condition
No notable condition issues. The ear cuffs retain all wire elements, beads, pearls, chains, and crystal drops intact. Light wear consistent with a single high-profile event use.
Provenance
Purchased by Grimes directly from the Romantic Elf Jewelry Etsy shop prior to the 2021 Met Gala — confirmed on camera in behind-the-scenes footage in which Grimes states "these are actually from Etsy." Worn by Grimes at the Met Gala on September 13, 2021. Subsequently consigned to the "Resistance For Ukraine: Benefit Auction 2022," organized by Be Nice Los Angeles and HVW8 Gallery and conducted via Artsy.
Artsy Auction: Resistance For Ukraine: Benefit Auction 2022 | May 26, 2022 | Lot 18
Acquired by the current owner as the winning bidder in the Artsy auction. Collected directly from Grimes' stylist Turner following the close of the auction. Provenance is established through the Artsy auction record, extensive contemporaneous press coverage across multiple major international outlets, and the behind-the-scenes Vogue video in which Grimes names the ear cuffs and confirms their Etsy origin on camera.
Valuation Context
The Iris Van Herpen 'Bene Gesserit' gown worn by Grimes as part of the same 2021 Met Gala look was offered at Bonhams Paris as part of their "Paris Jewels" auction and sold for €75,000. (View Bonhams Lot) The mask and ear cuffs offered here are the only other surviving documented accessory components of this same look available in the collector market.
Press Coverage
The auction of these ear cuffs and the accompanying CHRISHABANA mask (Lot 12) was covered by major international outlets including:
Vanity Fair — "Grimes Is Auctioning Off Her 2021 Met Gala Accessories to Raise Money for Ukraine" (May 18, 2022)
Billboard — "Grimes' Met Gala 2021 Accessories Are Going Up for Auction to Benefit Ukrainians" (May 17, 2022)
NME — "Grimes sells clothes and items from Met Gala to raise money for Ukraine" (May 17, 2022)
E! News — "Grimes Auctioning Off Her Met Gala Accessories to Support BIPOC Families in Ukraine" (May 17, 2022)
The Independent — "Grimes is selling her futuristic Met Gala accessories to raise money for Ukraine" (May 18, 2022)
Modern Luxury — "Grimes Auctions Met Gala 2021 Accessories To Raise Money For Ukrainian BIPOC Refugees" (May 24, 2022)
Daily Mail — "Grimes auctioning off her Met Gala mask and earrings to 'help get BIPOC families out of Ukraine'" (May 17, 2022)
Nostalgia Bandit Letter of Provenance
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Shipping & Measurements
FIRST AND THIRD PARTY SHIPPING OPTIONS AVAILABLE. Contact Nostalgia Bandit for a shipping quote: shipping@nostalgiabandit.com
Item: 6.5 x 1.5" each (pair)
Auction Location:
14545 W Grand Ave STE 106 PMB 101, Surprise, Arizona, 85374, United States
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| AZ |
8.35% |
Arizona State Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
25% |
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