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The Common Chiffchaff
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library
The Common Chiffchaff
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library

The Common Chiffchaff

Artifact SeriesHead of State Gifts
Artifact IDFO.111279
Object Type Clock, Musical
Manufacturer (Founded 1865)
Gifter
Intended Recipient (American, 1964)
Date 2015
Medium metal (gold, brass), glass
DimensionsOverall L 3 3/4 in x W 3 3/4 in x H 9 1/4 in x D 6 in (23.5 cm x 9.5 cm x 15.2 cm x 9.5 cm )

Physical DescriptionMechanical gold-plated bird in the form of a Common Chiffchaff, or Phylloscopus collybita, that tweets, turns, and flaps its wings once per hour when wound. The bird sits on a stem attached to the top of a gold box with glass sides containing the mechanical parts. The back panel of the box lifts to access the winding pieces and has information about the Islamic Golden Age etched into it, explaining that the bird was created to honor the scholar and polymath Ismail al-Jazari (1186 CE -1206 CE).
Historical NoteThis item was a gift from Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar. It was given to First Lady Michelle Obama during her trip to Qatar to speak at the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) about girls' education and the Let Girls Learn initiative in November 2015.
Custodial History / ProvenanceThe item was a gift from a foreign official to First Lady Michelle Obama during the Obama administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January 2017 for deposit with the Obama Presidential Library.Additional Details
National Archives Catalog CollectionBarack Obama Artifact Collection (National Archives Identifier 63542091)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts of State (National Archives Identifier 66540607)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Obama Presidential Library. The Obama Presidential Library does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
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