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Diplomatic Gifts

The Wende Museum’s collection of state gifts to the German Democratic Republic documents two decades of diplomatic relations. During the 1970s and 1980s, East Germany worked to expand its international reach beyond the communist world. These gifts were once displayed as “special inventory” in the Museum für Deutsche Geschichte (Museum for German History) in East Berlin, now known as the Deutsches Historisches Museum (German Historical Museum).

The collection includes an elaborate Vietnamese wood carving, a chess set from the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen), a mother-of-pearl box presented by PLO leader Yasser Arafat, an abalone shell ashtray from the Philippines, an ox horn carving of a shrimp in its original red box from China, a silver double horn from Somalia, and a metal plate with the Ba’ath Party flag donated by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. These artifacts were acquired from various institutions and, in some cases, from the original recipients of the gifts.

Showing search results 1-15 of 25
Combine Model, “To Comrade Hans Klempke, from the Workers of Rostselmash, Rostov-on-Don
Combine Model, “To Comrade Hans Klempke, from the Workers of Rostselmash, Rostov-on-Don"
Model
Maker: Unknown
ID: 2004.900.014
Date Made: 1979
Commemorative Tank for the 8th District Conference Society of German Soviet Friendship Guardsmen from Urals
Commemorative Tank for the 8th District Conference Society of German Soviet Friendship Guardsmen from Urals
Desk accessory
Maker: Gesellschaft für Deutsch-Sowjetische Freundschaft
ID: 2004.900.039
Date Made: 1972
Statuette,
Statuette, "To Comrade Erich Honecker from the Shipbuilders of the Baltija Factory"
Statuette
Maker: Unknown
ID: 2004.900.085
Date Made: August 11, 1973
Gold and Silver sculpture
Gold and Silver sculpture
Sculpture
Maker: Unknown
ID: 2005.900.322
Date Made: n.d.
Wooden Bust of an African Woman
Wooden Bust of an African Woman
Bust
Maker: Unknown
ID: 2006.128.006
Date Made: 1977
General Dickel Ceremonial Dagger
General Dickel Ceremonial Dagger
Dagger
Maker: Unknown
ID: 2006.128.011
Date Made: 1988
Vietnamese Village Bas-Relief
Vietnamese Village Bas-Relief
Bas-reliefs
Maker: Unknown
ID: 2006.131.001
Date Made: 1987
Samovar
Maker: V.I. Lenin Samovar Factory
ID: 2006.900.028
Date Made: 1950s
Black and White Soviet Sauna Cap
Black and White Soviet Sauna Cap
Hat
Maker: Unknown
ID: 2007.101.001
Date Made: 1970s
Embroidered Cap
Embroidered Cap
Hat
Maker: Unknown
ID: 2007.101.002
Date Made: 1950s
Treptow Monument Trophy
Treptow Monument Trophy
Trophy
Maker: Unknown
ID: 2008.337.002
Date Made: 1960s
Baath Party/Iraqi Plate
Baath Party/Iraqi Plate
Plate
Maker: Unknown
ID: 2008.900.035
Date Made: 1969
Award Statue for Günter Mittag
Award Statue for Günter Mittag
Award; statue
Maker: Unknown
ID: 2008.900.585
Date Made: May 5, 1980
Decorative Saber from Saddam Hussein
Decorative Saber from Saddam Hussein
Maker: Unknown
ID: 2010.433.005
Date Made: n.d.
Showing search results 1-15 of 25

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