Artifact No. 1987.272 a-b, Silver and Amber Necklace; Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum (Grand Rapids, MI)
Silver and Amber Necklace
Artifact ID1987.272 a-b
Object Type
Necklace
Gifter
Edward Gierek
Date
before 1976
Place MadePoland
Medium
amber, silver
DimensionsOverall (a) (necklace) H 15 in x W 1 1/2 in (38.1 cm x 3.8 cm )
Overall (b) (box) H 2 3/4 in x W 3 1/8 in x D 1 5/8 in (7 cm x 7.9 cm x 4.1 cm )
Physical Description(a) An opaque amber pendant with a silver chain; (b) red presentation box lined with white fabric.Overall (b) (box) H 2 3/4 in x W 3 1/8 in x D 1 5/8 in (7 cm x 7.9 cm x 4.1 cm )
Historical NoteEdward Gierek, leader of the Polish Communist Party, gifted this amber necklace to First Lady Betty Ford in 1975. The President and Mrs. Ford visited Poland as part of a European trip which also included stops in West Germany, Romania, Yugoslavia, and Finland, where President Ford attended the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and signed the Helsinki Accords. Amber is the national gemstone of Poland and can be found along the Baltic coast.Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a foreign official to First Lady Betty Ford during the Ford Administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in 1981 for deposit with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.
National Archives Catalog CollectionGerald R. Ford Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 620931)
National Archives Catalog SeriesHead of State Gifts Given to President Gerald R. Ford (74639696)
Use Restriction Status
Unrestricted
Use Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
Exhibitions