...and sent it as a goodbye gift when Knotts left the series

https://www.metv.com/stories/andy-griffith-had-the-seat-don-knotts-used-during-table-readings-bronzed-and-sent-it-as-a-goodbye-gift-when-knotts-left-the-series

Griffith gave Knotts a present he wouldn't soon forget.