The floral pattern on this vase, which was created by Hanna Pavlenko-Chernichenko, preserves the ancient folk art of decorative painting inside and outside of Ukrainian dwellings. Trees in blossom is a traditional Ukrainian Ceramic pattern for this hand-painted ceramic vase. 
 
The carpet, referred to as a kylm in Ukranian, depicts a tree of life with its branches never crossing and no two flowers being exactly alike. The design of the carpet was created by Nadija Babenko, following a folk tradition using plant ornamentation typical of the central Ukraine, particularly the Poltava region.  
 
The kylm and the porcelain vase demonstrate a tradition that has evolved over many centuries.  The artists who created these designs have given a contemporary expression to a long-standing tradition.

The gifts were presented by Foreign Minister of the Ukraine, Georgy G. Shevel, and accepted by Secretary-General U Thant on behalf of the United Nations.  
  
At the presentation ceremony Secretary-General U Thant said, "The tree of life design of the carpet draws on a motif which can be traced back to remote antiquity. Its original symbolic meaning is to protect life. Since this is also a fundamental purpose of our work at the United Nations, the presence of these objects here is most appropriate."