ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, July 7, 1996 TAG: 9607090001
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: D-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Antiques & Designs
SOURCE: KATHY SUE GRIGG
Haviland and Co. is one of the world's best-known manufacturers of fine porcelain. One of its significant contributions was the Presidential China.
In May 1969, Haviland inaugurated one of the most exciting collections: a series of plates commemorating the administrations that selected Haviland for the White House China Service.
Presidential China is a unique collectible. Each plate is a first edition, and because production was limited, the investment potential is and will be phenomenal.
The White House china patterns reflect the first ladies' personal tastes. It also is interesting to note by the pattern they chose the fashions of the time in which they lived.
The first plate issued was the popular Martha Washington. It is 8 1/2 inches in diameter with a circular chain containing the names of the 15 states in the union at the time the original set was made. It has the letters "M.W." in the center against a sandburst of gold.
The service was a gift to Martha Washington in 1795 from Andreas Everaidus van Brown Houckgest, a Dutchman, and consisted of around 45 pieces.
Haviland was commissioned to reproduce the plate in porcelain in 1876 to celebrate the Centenary.
The Mary Todd Lincoln plate, manufactured in 1868, was a pattern she personally selected. The center features an eagle with wings outstretched, surmounting the national shield and coming through the dark clouds into sunshine. On the rim, two hand-applied entwined gold candles represent North and South united.
The plate's deep purple color has led to much discussion. It is said the color stands for the mourning for a stricken and torn country, but history has now revealed that purple was Mary Todd Lincoln's favorite color.
Critics say she enjoyed its regal implications and never said why she chose the color. She just smiled and nodded when the subject came up.
Smart woman.
LENGTH: Short : 44 linesby CNB