What do you give the spouse of a world leader?

Being one herself, Michelle Obama settled on the very safe, very civilized tea set as an offering to foreign dignitaries visiting Pittsburgh for the G-20 summit. Whether it's high tea or a traditional tea party, the gift can be appropriate for both men and women. It is delicate, practical and always presentable.

But not necessarily representative of Pittsburgh.

The one-of-a-kind, platinum and purple porcelain tea set is more reflective of the White House china that President and Mrs. Lincoln used in 1861 than anything related to the Golden Triangle and its environs.

However, according to a news release, the platinum represents Pittsburgh's steel industry past. Perhaps black and gold would have been too garish. The purple symbolizes the state flower of Illinois (the purple violet) since the china was produced by a century-old family business there. At the bottom of the cup is a rose, the official flower of Washington and an American Beauty. In the well of the saucer the violet, the rose and Pennsylvania's Mountain Laurel create a bouquet bursting with meaning.

The bonus gift is a jar of honey from the first beehive on the White House property. The hive is near the first lady's kitchen garden. Even though Pittsburgh was once a big glass center, the crystal vase the honey comes in was hand-blown by a California artist. It is signed by Mrs. Obama, a very nice keepsake, but residents west of the Alleghenies would have liked to see a gift unique to the region.

Maybe a special edition Heinz ketchup bottle, hand-blown by a Pennsylvania glass artist, or porcelain pickle paperweight.