Special Gifts
On various business and professional occasions, certain gifts have become established by long practice. A twenty-fifth or other such anniversary in business relations is appropriately marked by the gift of a gold watch. Executives leaving their company may be given gold cigarette boxes or cases.
To mark special appreciation of an employee, gold cuff links bearing the seal of the company are a frequent testimonial. A gold watch may mark his long and faithful service.
Various professions have their honors, as when a doctor is received into the association of his specialty; in such cases there are usually insignia that can be wrought into the gift.
Historic Gifts
Among givers of gifts, perhaps the nobles and the Czars of Russia have been most lavish. The painted Easter eggs of the Russians are widely known, and many amusing and artistic designs have been painted on actual eggs. But the Easter egg jewels made by Fabergé are gem-studded works of the lapidary’s art.
Czars and Emperors—Nicholas, Franz Josef—have bestowed upon persons, who caught their favor, watches initialed in diamonds. Sometimes, however, the Czar merely ordered the bestowal of the gift, leaving the details to an officer of the court. This happened after the first command performance of Chaliapin who scornfully refused the proffered watch, saying that the Czar had never sent him that! Shortly after, Chaliapin received another watch, this one with the Imperial coat-of-arms in diamonds.
For King Zog of Albania, our firm developed a jewel that has grown in popularity: a watch so thin that it is fitted inside of a hollowed coin. Those coins bore a relief of King Zog on one side, his coat-of-arms on the other; the watches were presented to high officers for supremacy in horsemanship and other contests.
The Presentation of a Gift
In the United States, where the packaging industry has achieved consummate skills, the way in which a gift is presented is particularly important. The care taken in selecting the jewel must be reflected in the container. The first thing the recipient sees is the wrapping; this must quicken the anticipation of the surprise and delight inside.