This NK vase thing has me scratching my head, so I started digging on gift giving..
which led me to: "Saudi king showered Obamas with $1.3 million in gifts in 2014”
https://www.yahoo.com/news/saudi-king-showered-obamas-with-1308621692543030.html
Dug through the list from 2014, and here are the gifts Hussein and his family received. My question- why such a vast difference to Moochelle?
Gift reception is run by Dept. of State and if someone chooses to keep a gift received they must pay fair market value for it and take it with them. If not, it goes to National Archives for display/storage.
Supposedly all of Hussein’s gifts went to archives. Or did they? Would we have a way to know for sure?
2014
Hussein:
Gold and silver men's wristwatch with leather band. Rec'd—1/14/2014. Est. Value—$18,240.00.
48″ gold-plated brass replica of the Makkah Clock Tower on marble base. Rec'd—3/28/2014. Est. Value—$57,000.00.
White gold men's wristwatch with leather band. Rec'd—4/15/2014. Est. Value—$67,000.00.
Moochelle:
Diamond and emerald jewelry set including necklace, earrings, ring, and bracelet. Rec'd—1/14/2014. Est. Value—$560,000.00.
Diamond and pearl jewelry set including necklace, earrings, ring, and bracelet. Rec'd—4/15/2014. Est. Value—$570,000.00.
First Family:
10″ model palm tree made of silver and gold set on a green marble …. Rec'd—11/19/2014. Est. Value—$39,915.00.
Children:
Diamond and emerald jewelry set including earrings, necklace, ring, brooch, and wristwatch. Diamond and ruby jewelry set including earrings, necklace, ring, brooch, and wristwatch. Rec'd—1/14/2014. Est. Value—$80,000.00.
Total: $1,335,155
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2015/11/25/2015-29897/office-of-the-chief-of-protocol-gifts-to-federal-employees-from-foreign-government-sources-reported
2017
POTUS:
Pendant necklace, consisting of 14-point white/green enameled star, (“750” denoting 18K gold), dangling beneath gold-plated palm tree and crossed sabers, joined to 21 linked panels of gold-plated openwork displaying panels of crossed sabers on foliate arabesques, alternating with panels of foliate arabesques further decorated with four emeralds or rubies each, in green leatherette presentation box. Rec'd 5/21/17. Est. Value—$6,400.00.
Photograph of Saudi King wearing gold/silver thread robe, signed, dated 2017 in sterling silver (stamped “925”) frame by Del Conte of Florence, having convex front band plus beaded inner band against goldenrod-color leatherette backing, in Del Conte brocade bag in presentation box. Rec'd 5/21/17. Est. Value—$1,380.00.
Framed assemblage of 12 gold-tone items in miniature relating to Saudi Arabia surrounding sepia tone photo of Trump, in wood frame ornamented with repousse brass work, in presentation box/carrying case. Rec'd 5/21/17. Est. Value—$790.00.
Painting on canvas, depicting wide black calligraphic-like brush strokes against white, in wood frame painted white. Rec'd 7/27/17. Est. Value—$1,800.00.
Melania:
Gold bangle with pearl on the end, in brown box from designer Jan Logan. Rec'd 5/4/17. Est. Value—$650.00
Black Chopard Classic Racing Rollerball in case. Rec'd 5/21/17. Est. Value—$610.00
Abaya, Saudi, by House of Sama, size S, beige synthetic fabric forming a near square shape with small arm holes at top, front and back displaying medial panel of silver-tone/gray/dark gold-tone foliate arabesques in metallic thread, flanked by side top panels of floral sprigs in same, over side bottom panels of rosettes plus flowers on leafy vines in pink/white silk embroidery in wood presentation box, the lid with inset engraved copper plate of floral geometrics over “House of Sama”. Rec'd 5/22/17. Est. Value—$810.00.
Ivanka:
Garments: 3 white gauze-like “mardon” with sleeves covering hands, “bisht” with open front, orange flowers heads, yellow/pink leaves in silk on navy blue wool with Dormeuil navy blue lining, “bisht” with open front, orange/yellow/green tinted foliage on brown, “elegance international” brown lining; in presentation box. Rec'd 7/18/17. Est. Value—$700.00.
Jared:
Silver Chopard Pen. Rec'd 5/24/17. Est. Value—$750.00.
Assemblage of Saudi garments: 5 black double coil headbands “igals,” 5 round white caps with machined embroidery “tagiya,s” 2 head covers of red embroidery on white, head cover in pashmina-type wool, ecru head cover with brown/copper-tone/champagne-color silk embroidered botehs and bands, white cotton brocade head cover, in dark green leatherette carrying case. Rec'd 7/21/17. Est. Value—$600.00.
Total: $13,840
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/03/07/2019-04063/office-of-the-chief-of-protocol-gifts-to-federal-employees-from-foreign-government-sources-reported
$1,335,155 vs. $13,840
Also this from Yahoo article: (image attached) Alice in Wonderland related?