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Passing on unwanted presents might be viewed as somewhat rude – unless it's done for a noble purpose.

A Charitable Sale

The leader of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, is set to sell around 270 presents received by her by foreign dignitaries on official trips. This unusual assortment is said to contain objects like a chainsaw-wielding statuette of Argentinian president Javier Milei and a pair of exotic blue snake-skin shoes with gold heels.

The collection, combined, are valued at around €800,000. They are scheduled to be sold via competitive bidding by a Rome-based art dealer. An exact timeline is yet to be set, but the intention is to hold the auction before Christmas, with the revenue donated to a selection of charitable causes.

Palazzo Chigi Treasures

These gifts are currently locked away in a secure area on the third floor of the prime minister's official office. Reports indicate that Meloni furthermore intending to auction off gifts given to her predecessors that have been stored away for years.

The full gift list remains made public, but some insight was gleaned earlier this year when a comprehensive document of official presents was submitted to lawmakers. The discussion centered on if a rule restricting expensive presents was being followed. According to regulation, a prime minister cannot take home presents worth more than €300.

An International Array of Presents

Notable gifts feature:

• A scarf from the leader of Albania, reportedly presented to Meloni for her birthday during a meeting abroad.
• A sari from Kerala from India's prime minister.
• A case of jewelry from the president of Slovakia.
• A fine china tea service and a selection of wines from Hungary's leader.
• A pottery dish from the ex-American leader.
• A digital device from the Ukrainian president.
• Artworks from Moldova.
• Various other items including makeup, a board, and several rugs received during trips to North African and Middle Eastern countries.

"Possibly the most unusual gifts included the Milei figurine and the exotic footwear," reports suggest.

Diplomatic Context

The prime minister has received praise, particularly from her own political sphere, with building relationships with foreign leaders and positioning Italy as a significant player on the global scene once again.

This unique auction highlights a distinct method to handle the diplomatic artifacts that accumulate during a political career.