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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Mother of Pearl Chest
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.

Mother of Pearl Chest

Artifact ID1982.00973.02
Object Type Box, Accessory
Gifter
Date 20th Century
Medium Shell (mother of pearl, abalone), Fabric
Dimensions3 × 7 1/2 × 10 1/2 in. (7.6 × 19.1 × 26.7 cm)
Physical DescriptionA hinged mother of pearl and abalone-covered chest. The outside is covered with rectangular tiles, alternating rows between mother-of-pearl and abalone tiles, some carved. The center panel on the lid has two raised flowers on either side of a carved openwork crown. There are raised mother-of-pearl flowers in the corners of the lid. The sides have raised square tiles carved with floral motifs on the ends. The bottom is red with four feet. The interior is lined in red velvet pressed with a starburst pattern.
Historical NoteThis mother of pearl chest with crown and floral reliefs originally housed a matching red letter King James Bible with a mother of pearl cover.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a foreign official to President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President Office of Correspondence and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Foreign Officials (National Archives Identifier 6816364)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Country/CultureJordan
In Collection(s)
Exhibition HistoryA Sneak Preview (2010), Ronald Reagan Presidential Library