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Tea Chest
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
Tea Chest
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA
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Tea Chest

Artifact IDMO 63.2241
Object Type Chest
Date before 1963
Date Presented6/4/63
Medium Wood, felt
DimensionsOverall H 8 1/4 in x W 23 in x D 16 in (21 cm x 58.4 cm x 40.6 cm )

Physical DescriptionCarved wood chest lined with green felt. The exterior of the chest is carved with a register of elephants around the four sides and with circular floral motifs on the top and center front. The chest originally contained six canisters of tea.
Historical NoteThis tea chest was presented to President Kennedy by President Rahakrishnan during his state visit to the White House June 4, 1963.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift to President and Mrs. Kennedy from Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, President of India. It was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library 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
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteThis material is not subject to any known copyright or other image use restrictions.
Not on view
Related Links
Sound recording of President Kennedy’s toast to President of India Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: