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Relinquishing unwanted presents could be seen as slightly impolite – except if it's done for a noble purpose.

A Philanthropic Sale

Italy's prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, will offload a reported 270 items bestowed upon her by world leaders while abroad. This unusual assortment could include items such as a miniature chainsaw-holding statuette of Argentina's leader Javier Milei and a pair of blue python skin shoes with gilded heels.

The collection, together, have an approximate value of €800,000. They are scheduled to be auctioned off to the highest bidder by a Italian art dealer. A date has not been finalized, although the intention is to hold the auction during the holiday season, with all funds raised going to a selection of charitable causes.

Palazzo Chigi Collection

These gifts are currently kept in a storage room on the third floor of Palazzo Chigi. It has been reported that Meloni additionally planning to auction off gifts given to her preceding prime ministers that have been sitting unused for years.

A complete inventory remains disclosed, but a glimpse were revealed earlier this year when an 11-page list of items received was presented in parliament. The question raised whether a legal value limit was being respected. According to regulation, a prime minister cannot take home presents worth more than €300.

An International Array of Presents

The collection includes:

• 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 set of adornments from the Slovakian president.
• A porcelain tea set and six bottles of wine from Hungary's leader.
• A pottery dish from the former US president.
• A digital device from the leader of Ukraine.
• Paintings from the Moldovan government.
• Various other items including makeup, a skateboard, and several rugs received during trips to Libya and other Arab nations.

"Maybe the oddest gifts were the statuette from Milei and the blue python skin shoes," reports suggest.

Political Context

Meloni has been credited, mostly from within her party, with building relationships with global statesmen and re-establishing Italy as a key protagonist on the global scene once again.

This unique auction represents a distinct method to deal with the diplomatic artifacts that accumulate during a leader's tenure.