Case study · State gifts
Gifts for a pope and a future emperor
When Mexico has wanted to give something that says Mexico, it has more than once chosen a D’Argenta. Two of those gifts went to Pope John Paul II and to the Crown Prince of Japan, today Emperor Naruhito.
Pope John Paul II
In 1979 Pope John Paul II received an original D’Argenta. Years later, a Mexican delegation promoting friendship between Mexico and Italy presented him with a D’Argenta Aztec calendar during a private audience at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence outside Rome. The magazine TVyNovelas covered the audience.
An Aztec calendar is a fitting gift from Mexico to a head of state: it is the country’s most recognised work of pre-Hispanic art, and in silver it becomes an object a recipient can keep and display rather than a souvenir.
Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan
In the summer of 1992 the Crown Prince of Japan — today Emperor Naruhito — made an official visit to Mexico, at Mexico’s invitation, to foster friendly relations between the two countries; the Imperial Household Agency lists it among his overseas visits. A D’Argenta sculpture in silver was presented to him as a gift during that visit.
What makes a good state gift
It has to say where it comes from, it has to be worthy of the person who receives it, and it must not embarrass anyone a decade later. Pre-Hispanic and Mexican subjects, finished by hand in silver and gold in Mexico City, meet all three — which is why protocol offices, embassies and governments keep asking for them.
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Trophies, awards and gifts, finished by hand in silver, 24-karat gold and copper in Mexico City. A prototype is ready for your review before anything is committed.