Lenox (company) - Presidential Collection

Presidential Collection

Lenox was the first North American bone china to be used in the White House, and the company has since made tableware for six U.S. presidents. They are officially titled:

• The Wilson Service: Designed by Frank Holmes. Delivered to the White House between August and November 1918. The pattern is a deep ivory border surrounding a brighter ivory body and two bands of matte gold encrusted with stars, stripes, and other motifs. This first set of American made tableware of 1700-pieces from Lenox cost $16,000.
• The Roosevelt Service: Ordered October 1934. It is described as suitably patriotic, bearing a border of 48 gold stars, and the presidential seal in enamel colors on a lustrous ivory body.
• The Truman Service: Consisting of 1,572 pieces, the pattern includes a border of celadon green flanked by an etched gold band and a 24 karat gold rim on an ivory body. Delivered in early 1952.
• The Reagan Service: The pattern are bands of scarlet varying in width depending on the scale of the piece and are framed on each side with etched gold. The presidential seal, in raised gold, partially overlays the red border.
• The Clinton Service: The pattern features a border of pale creamy yellow, and images of the White House facades. Each piece in the place setting is decorated with a different pattern, the motifs derived from outstanding architectural elements found in the State Dining Room, East Room, and Diplomatic Reception Room. No presidential seal appears.
• The Bush Service: Laura Bush first displayed this newest service on January 7, 2009. The porcelain place setting service features a green basket weave border based on a French dinner service believed to have been owned by James and Dolley Madison. The dessert plates replicate a laurel wreath found on the Madison's Parisian c.1799-1805 dinner plates. The serving plates and the rim of other pieces also feature an eagle emblem inspired by an American Bald Eagle inlay found on the center drawer of the Massachusetts sideboard, believed to have been owned by Daniel Webster.

Lenox tableware is at the vice president's official residence, more than 300 United States embassies, and more than half of the governors' mansions. Dignitaries of the United States Congress and Department of State have received Lenox giftware. The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Smithsonian Institution have as centerpieces in exhibitions of American decorative arts Lenox pottery. The Lenox backstamp is on about half of all fine porcelain dinnerware purchased since the 1950s in America. Beside collectibles, Lenox also produces tableware, serving pieces, vases and Department 56 items.