For several weeks each August, the State Department's Diplomatic Reception Rooms are closed to the public to allow conservators to repair and renovate the colle...
The Secretary of State is ultimately responsible for maintaining the condition of the collection, which is also for his or her use in entertaining or other diplomatic work.
'Some pieces are so remarkably valuable that we have protected them with tassels, just to gently suggest that they may not be possibly sat upon," Craighill said. 'But, there are other pieces that are, of course, for use.'