Holiday

[Oznell]

Love to see the various china, silver, and crystal patterns that have been used in the White House.

Most of the china patterns have been custom, commissioned by various administrations.  Here are a few early ones--

The Polk administration china--

 

The Pierce administration:

 

The Lincoln china--

Each is so distinctive and lovely.

Of course there are now dozens of sets of china, often broken sets, at the White House, that get mixed and matched at will.  They also have plain, basic porcelain ( of great quality), that they can use to mix in.

The famoux Lenox company created a lot of the early custom sets, but there's a rumor that, of their commercially made patterns, beautiful  "Autumn" has been in the White House, or a White House set was inspired by "Autumn".  I can see why-- of all American china patterns, it's one of my favorites--

Various silver patterns used in the White House--

"King Charles", by the Gorham company.   ( Funny that the White House would have used a pattern with a "royal" name, ha).

Detailed even on the back--

Kirk-Steiff company made "Repousse",  popular both among the public, and in the White House:

"Repousse" was used by President Monroe's daughter at her wedding.  I shudder at the thought of polishing it, aagh!  The Monroes seemed to have especially chic dinnerware.

The White House purchased a Gorham "Puritan" coffee pot in this pattern below, in 1950.  The clean simplicity of the pattern is very similar to Reed and Barton's "Pointed Antique".  It's so sleek it acted as a mirror to whoever photographed it!

Gorham "Melrose" is another pattern used by the White House.

The "Russian" crystal pattern below was very favored by the White House, and was ordered repeatedly by them starting in 1891.  It's an American design, made by more than one company.  I love the design, with the unusual cross-hatching, combined with the pinwheels--

Purely as a spectator, I love china, silver and crystal patterns!   

Some faves: 

Wedgwood Florentine Turquoise:

Wedgwood Colonnade Black:

Of course, their Jasperware:

  

Thanksgiving prep is making me think of all this tableware!

What are your all-time table ware favorites?  ( I know there are people here who have wide-ranging tastes in dinnerware. ).  I don't have to own it, to drool over it.

Personally, I have one small set of "good china", but the Corelle is what gets constant use...

[haddon9]

I have White Silk by Mikasa.  It goes with everything!

Close up....

I also have "Something Blue" by Mikasa.  It's really the white china, "White Silk" with this floral design on it.  I fell in love with it back when we got married and though it is pretty I can't help but wonder what the heck I was thinking!

[haddon9]

 Love those pretty China patterns.  They are so formal and elegant!

[on the bay]

I like the Pierce china.

I was thinking that spoon with the detail even on the back must be wierd when you are eating with it. I'd wonder what was the spoon and what was the food!

@haddon9,

Your white Mikasa is very pretty!

@Oznell,

I've always meant to tell you that your posts always remind me of the Kirsten and Jeorg videos of tours of all the B&B's, castles, English and Scottish cottages. Kirsten loves china and I love how she lovingly describes everything. Her voice is so soothing, mesmerizing really.

Cathy, (ECBG) first introduced me to them and I love looking at all their latest and always think of her.

Thank you for all your posts and descriptions. I always look forward to seeing them and I also appreciate how you never take offense at all if we don't like something. You make everyone feel so welcome and able to post how we feel about something.

[Bookplate]

@Oznell I love the Polk plate (I wonder if different sizes had different flowers?) and the Repousse flatware.  Not to worry about polishing it - a job for the butler surely!

[Sooner]

I have an unreasonable collection of china and silver from 30 years of travel in the South and outlet stores and antique stores and finds and treasures.

Favorite china patterns?  Lenox Orleans Blue; Wedgwood Nantucket Basket, Oberon and India; Christian Dior Dior Rose; VIlleroy and Boch, Manoir and Auden!  

AND first and foremost I think Villeroy and Boch Petite Fleur makes the prettiest table in the world.  

Silver: International Royal Danish; Tiffany English Kings; Gorham Fairfax.  I have collected a lot of Repousse pieces, Chantilly and other assorted piece by piece in antique store bins of mismatched.

[4kitties]

Johnson Brothers Friendly Village for us.  I kept them from my Mother and have added a few extra pieces over the years.  It has a "homey" feeling I think. 

[Bookplate]

@Sooner Oh, I identify with "unreasonable collections"!

[skatting44]

Before Shop Hq  closed , they were selling various plates & tea cups of china. Can't remember the brand but the plates were  various years  when the pattern was popular 1950  . Was tempted but have no more room to store  china.

[Sooner]

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@Bookplate wrote:

@Sooner Oh, I identify with "unreasonable collections"!

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@Bookplate Yes and you and I are not alone!!!!