Care: Hand wash recommended to preserve the integrity of the glass and gold engraving.
A Moment Etched in Glass:
The 2021 Inauguration Through the Eyes of the White House Gift Shop
©2025by Anthony F. Giannini
On January 20, 2021, a winter sun rose over Washington, D.C., casting long shadows across the National Mall. There were no crowds packed shoulder to shoulder—no inaugural balls, no grand parade in the traditional sense. But the absence of noise made room for something deeper: a quiet, unshakable resolve. The United States had arrived at one of the most consequential inaugurations in its history—and I was at the Inauguration with an artist's vision, for The White House Gift Shop was there—as it has been for inaugurations generations past, to honor and preserve that moment.
The swearing-in of Joseph R. Biden Jr. as the 46th President of the United States was not just a political transition—it was an act of reaffirmation. In the wake of a global pandemic, political unrest, and the unprecedented events of January 6th at the Capitol, the ceremony marked a return to democratic continuity. But it was also a new beginning: the ascension of Kamala D. Harris to the Vice Presidency shattered centuries-old barriers. She was the first woman, the first Black American, and the first person of South Asian descent to ever hold the office.
At the White House Gift Shop—founded by U.S. Secret Service members in 1946 and made official by President Harry S. Truman—moments like these are never just observed. They are commemorated, remembered, and rendered into enduring symbols of American resilience.
The 2021 Inauguration Decanter Set was born from that spirit. This limited edition glassware doesn’t simply mark a date—it encapsulates a chapter of history. With deep hand etching, 22-karat gold accents, and the etched signatures of both President Biden and Vice President Harris, each piece stands as a testament to the perseverance of the American experiment.
For over 80 years, the White House Gift Shop has been more than a place to find historical artifact, gifts, and keepsakes. It’s a living bridge between the public and the presidency—a store that carries not just mementos, but meaning. And as our team of artisans crafted each decanter and glass, we knew this was no ordinary collectible. This was history, sealed in Italian glass, hand-etched by American artisans, and shared with those who value legacy as much as liberty.
The 2021 inauguration reminded us of who we are and what we can become. It reminded the world that democracy, though tested, endures. And here at the White House Gift Shop, it reminded us why we do what we do: to capture history—not in pages, but in tangible pieces you can hold—preserve for future generations.
