Skip to main content
Collections Menu
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Presentation Chest for the Grand Cross
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Copyright and other proprietary rights in material on this site may be held by individuals or entities other than or in addition to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The John F. Kennedy Library does not warrant that the use of materials displayed on this site will not infringe on the rights of third parties, such as artists or artists' heirs holding the rights to these works. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy copyright or other use restrictions before copying, transmitting, or making other use of protected items beyond that allowed by "fair use," as such term is understood under the United States Copyright Act. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum respects the intellectual property rights of others. The John F. Kennedy Library may, in appropriate circumstances and at its discretion, remove, disable and/or terminate access to any material on or linked to or from this site that it suspects to be infringing upon a third party's intellectual property rights or other rights.

Presentation Chest for the Grand Cross

Artifact IDMO 63.1711.1a-b
Object Type Chest
Date 1961
Date Presented10/6/61
Gifter
Place MadeJerusalem, Israel, Asia
Medium Wood, mother-of-pearl, velvet
DimensionsOverall H 6 1/2 in x W 12 1/2 in x D 2 1/4 in (16.5 cm x 31.8 cm x 5.7 cm)
Physical DescriptionLocking wood chest elaborately decorated with mother of pearl on exterior. Top center of lid bears inscription in relief "Blessing of the Holy Sepulchre of our lord to the President of the United States of America John F. Kennedy" lower center "Benedictos Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Jerusalem 1961". The chest contains the Grand Cross and Grand Cross Star (c-d), conferring rank in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Silver skeleton key for lock inside chest.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift from a foreign official to the President and First Lady received through the Executive office during the Kennedy Administration and transferred to the General Service Administration where it was held until donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy; Gift of Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Heads of State (National Archives Identifier 1677008)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view