February 16, 2008 through January 21, 2009

F. M. Kirby Foundation Gallery

in the Donald W. Reynolds Museum

Setting the President's Table:

American Presidential China from

the Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Collection

is co-organized by

George Washington's Mount Vernon

 and the Philadelphia Museum of Art

This exhibition is made possible by

The Life Guard Society of Historic Mount Vernon

and other generous benefactors

Johnson Service Plate, Castleton China, subsidiary of Shenango Pottery Company, New Castle, Pennsylvania. Porcelain with printed, enamel and gilt decoration, 1968. Courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art, McNeil Americana Collection.

 

This exhibition showcases a sampling of porcelains from the McNeil Americana Collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  All were used by American presidents as they entertained executive residence guests during their respective administrations. Most were used on the presidential dining table. The porcelains transition from direct European imports by early presidents to an increasing focus on American symbolism in decoration—and eventually—American-made porcelains. As times and technology changed, a select few were designed for use aboard presidential boats and planes. All provide a window into the importance and type of entertaining that has defined the presidency since George Washington took office over two hundred years ago. 

George Washington, oil on canvas, Gilbert Stuart, c. 1798.

Martha Washington, watercolor on ivory, James Peale, 1796.

As America’s first president, George Washington understood his role in establishing and defining the office as well as his charge to “fix the taste of the nation.” Washington also understood the need for properly entertaining those who dined at the executive residence—from constituents and elected officials to foreign dignitaries. He sought tablewares that reflected the democratic ideals of the new nation, did not suggest ostentation, and were sophisticated enough to give the infant republic respect in the eyes of foreign visitors. Using fine but simple French tablewares, as well as Chinese export porcelain decorated with American symbols, George Washington set the precedent for refined and patriotic presidential china.

Monroe Covered Sugar Bowl, porcelain with printed, enamel, and gilt decoration, 1817. Courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art, McNeil Americana Collection.

During the early 1800s, the china,tablewares, and furnishings of the executive residence reflected the international style of the presidents and their wives. Porcelain manufacturing in America remained largely nonexistent, and presidents continued to import their fine tablewares from abroad. By 1826, the executive residence was so full of imported furnishings, Congress specifically noted that future purchases should be of “American or domestic manufacture."

Lincoln Dinner Plate, French, imported and decorated by E.V. Haughwout and Company. Porcelain with printed, emanel and gilt decoration, 1861. Courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art, McNeil Americana Collection.

Throughout the nineteenth century, White House entertaining and porcelains became an outlet through which presidents displayed the nation’s accomplishments. Still unable to manufacture fine porcelains, American china companies began successfully decorating European porcelain for White House use. Earlier presidents commissioned state services with overt American icons while later presidents incorporated more subtle representations of patriotism into their china patterns through native plants, flowers, and landscapes. American pride in her accomplishments and country is apparent in each service.

Eisenhower Service Plate, Castleton China, subsidiary of Shenango Pottery Company, New Castle, Pennsylvania. Porcelain with gilt decoration, 1955. Courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art, McNeil Americana Collection.

   

Twentieth-century presidential entertaining remained exceedingly formal, despite the more casual style of dining embraced by most Americans. Made almost entirely by American porcelain manufacturers, modern presidential china celebrated the president as a world leader by minimizing the decoration and highlighting the Presidential seal. Although the imagery on the china remained largely impersonal, presidents and first ladies added their own personal touches to the designs.

In the summer of 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy sought a historic venue for a state dinner honoring the President of Pakistan, Ayub Kahn. She chose Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. Guests were served mint juleps on Mount Vernon’s piazza, followed by a dinner prepared by the White House chef. The exhibition features a video about the event including an interview with Mrs. Kennedy’s Social Secretary, Ms. Letitia Baldrige.

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 Exhibition design and graphics produced by Surroundart