Crafting State Diplomacy Through Gifts
In the intricacies of international relations, gift-giving isn’t just about thoughtful gestures and elaborate wrapping paper—it’s a strategic tool as well. From artistic wonders to giant fuzzy bamboo-loving creatures, nation-to-nation gifts have long played a pivotal role in American foreign policy. As a form of soft power, such gifts speak volumes about intentions and potential alliances. So let’s unwrap the intriguing world of state gift-giving.
Our Nation’s Record and Gift Keeper
The National Archives prides itself on being the recordkeeper of our nation’s shared yet diverse histories, specifically through the stewardship and management of over 13 billion governmental records. But those aren’t the only types of materials stored within the National Archives, which also holds thousands of gifts to various Presidents, Vice Presidents, and other state officials. The Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act, passed in 1980, formalized the tradition of accepting such gifts on behalf of the nation. The act also stipulates that gifts valued at less than $350 may be retained personally by the President or Vice President.
Just during Vice President Al Gore’s term alone, there are over 7,000 state gifts. While this may seem like a lot, it is typical for our heads of state to receive thousands of gifts per year.
Vice President Al Gore in 1998
National Archives Identifier: 355299960
One notable gift from his collection comes from the king of Saudi Arabia in 2006, His Majesty Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud. The king gifted Vice President Gore’s wife, Mary Elizabeth “Tipper” Gore, a stunning 18-karat sapphire and diamond jewelry set.
18-karat white gold sapphire and diamond jewelry set
National Archives, Presidential Materials Division
Source: NARA’s Pieces of History blog
A Textile for the Ages
While Herbert Hoover is mostly known around the Archives for laying the cornerstone of our beloved building in Washington, D.C., he, like every President before him, accepted some unique state gifts. During their 1928 goodwill tour of various Latin American nations, the Hoovers received numerous gifts during the many receptions hosted by heads of state and dignitaries. One such gift is one of the oldest now in any Presidential museum collection: the Peruvian Paracas Mantle, given by President Augusto B. Leguia. Described as a sacred burial cloak, this amazing tapestry dates back over 2,500 years. It is permanently housed at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library in West Branch, Iowa.
Then President-elect Herbert Hoover aboard the U.S.S. Maryland
during the 1928 “Good Will” Tour
Source: NARA’s Hoover Heads blog
Tea Time Before War Time
The Art Deco style was still all the rage when Franklin D. Roosevelt took office in 1933. By his second term, President Roosevelt had received many diplomatic gifts. FDR received this Art Deco tea set from Crown Prince Olav and Princess Martha of Norway in spring 1939. The sudden invasion of Norway by Nazi Germany just months before displaced the royal family and their children. After staying with the Roosevelts in New York for a short time, the family ended up moving to Bethesda, Maryland, for the duration of World War II.
President Roosevelt sitting down for tea with
Crown Prince of Norway Olav and Princess Martha
Source: NARA’s Forward with Roosevelt blog
The Gifted Tea Set
Source: NARA’s Tokens and Treasures Exhibit
A “Giant” Achievement
President Richard Nixon’s 1971 visit to China, often called “the week that changed the world,” marked a historic breakthrough in international relations as the first official contact between the United States and the People’s Republic of China since 1949. During the visit, Nixon met with Premier Zhou En-Lai and Chairman Mao Zedong.
President Richard Nixon and Premier Chou En-Lai Shake Hands
at the Nixons’ Arrival in Peking, China
National Archives Identifier: 66394264
The trip symbolized an easing of Cold War-era tensions, reshaping the global balance of power. Nixon gifted Premier Zhou a porcelain statue titled The Bird of Peace, and in return, China gifted the U.S. its first two giant pandas, Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing. This “panda diplomacy” came to symbolize Nixon’s diplomatic achievement.
First Lady Pat Nixon Formally Welcoming the Giant Pandas to the National Zoo in Washington, DC
National Archives Identifier: 66394282
Giant Panda at the National Zoo
in Washington, DC
National Archives Identifier: 66394284
The pandas’ arrival at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. (not the National Archives!) highlighted cultural diplomacy between the U.S. and China, but they captivated the hearts of the millions of Americans who visited the zoo in the years following. While Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing passed away in the late 1990s, a new pair arrived in 2000. Now, panda lovers everywhere await the arrival of two new pandas by the end of 2024.
The Nation’s Finest Desk
The Resolute Desk, an iconic piece of furniture that has graced the Oval Office since 1880, holds a storied history deeply intertwined with international diplomacy. It was crafted from the timbers of the HMS Resolute, a British ship that was trapped in ice during an Arctic expedition and was discovered by an American whaling boat in 1855. In 1856, Queen Victoria of England commissioned the desk as a gift to President Rutherford B. Hayes. This gesture marked another chapter in the “Special Relationship,” the strong diplomatic ties between the United Kingdom and the United States.
President and Mrs. Rutherford B. Hayes
National Archives Identifier: 82586166
Since its gifting, the Resolute Desk has witnessed pivotal moments in global history, having been used by every President since Hayes. It embodies not just the craftsmanship of its creators but also the enduring spirit of diplomacy and collaboration. Its rich heritage and timeless presence continue to serve as a tangible reminder of the shared history and mutual respect between the United States and the United Kingdom.
President George W. Bush Listens to His Father in the Oval Office
National Archives Identifier: 172544248
Many treasures of state we didn’t discuss here also lie in the Presidential libraries, from President Reagan’s Algerian saddle to papal mosaic gifts to President Bill Clinton.
Want to have one of these incredible gifts for yourself? At the National Archives Store, we even have an authentic replica of the Resolute Desk if you want to level up your office space or simply make it more Presidential.
