Ornament: White House Teacups

Many presidential administrations order unique State China Services for use in official White House entertaining. The designs reflect changing tastes of presidential families. We carry 3 distinct designs: President Polk, President Reagan, and President Roosevelt. 

In 1934, during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor wanted to promote American companies leading to a purchase of dinner and dessert service from Lenox in New York. The service is rimmed in a marine blue with 48 stars to represent every state, in addition to the presidential seal prominently displayed below the stars. This whimsical felt ornament features that same pattern on a teacup and would look perfect on any tree.

In 1846, during the administration of President James K. Polk, a French porcelain dinner and dessert service was purchased from Alexander Stewart & Co. in New York. The plates are white with gilded rims molded in scrolls. The red, white, and blue shield of the United States is included on the rim of every plate. The Dessert plates are decorated with an apple green border and a variety of boldly painted flowers. This whimsical felt ornament features that same pattern on a teacup and would look perfect on any tree.

Following a 1981 dinner for British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, during which First Lady Nancy Reagan utilized china from four previous administrations, Mrs. Reagan commissioned 4,370 pieces of Lenox china—nearly double the number of place settings compared to recent services. The Reagans faced criticism regarding the nearly $210,000 expense; however, the purchase was funded by a donation from the J. P. Knapp Foundation rather than taxpayer money. (The Reagans held more state dinners than any other administrations.) Nancy Reagan collaborated closely with Lenox to select an impactful design, ultimately choosing a pattern featuring a prominent scarlet red, her preferred color.