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Who Has The Nicest Presidential China In History?

The Obamas just revealed their official design. How does it stack up to other presidents?
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Serveware, Dishware, Porcelain, Ceramic, Drinkware, Pottery, Cup, earthenware, Teacup, Circle,
White House Historical Association
Not every president had official state china, but the dinnerware that did exist offers a unique peek into life at the White House.
1

James Monroe

Serveware, Porcelain, Metal, Ceramic, Dishware, Artifact, Interior design, Brass, Pottery, Antique,
White House Historical Association
The first official White House china set was actually made in Paris in 1817, but began the traditional of prominently featuring the national symbol of the eagle.
2

James K. Polk

Serveware, Dishware, Porcelain, Ceramic, earthenware, Pottery, Art, Creative arts, Craft, Artifact,
White House Historical Association
The Polks' dinnerware was quite frilly, with scalloped edges and floral details, compared to the more staid sets designed for recent presidents.
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3

Abraham Lincoln

Dishware, Serveware, Bird, Wing, Porcelain, Beak, Pollinator, Badge, Feather, Craft,
White House Historical Association
Mary Todd Lincoln was the first First Lady to play a major role in choosing the state china. She chose a popular purple hue (called "solferino") for the edges.
4

Rutherford B. Hayes

Organism, Vertebrate, Bird, Beak, Galliformes, Phasianidae, Terrestrial animal, Art, Fowl, Feather,
White House Historical Association
Lucy Hayes hired an artist to adorn the state china with animals (like this wild turkey), plants, and other peeks into the American landscape.
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5

William Henry Harrison

Serveware, Dishware, Porcelain, Ceramic, Tableware, Plate, Blue and white porcelain, Bird, earthenware, Pottery,
White House Historical Association
Gilded corn wraps the Harrisons' dinnerware, which represents the first lady's home state of Indiana.
6

Theodore Roosevelt

Dishware, Serveware, Metal, Circle, Platter, Plate, Porcelain, Kitchen utensil, Silver, Still life photography,
White House Historical Association
Simple, but stately, gold lines are the highlight of the Roosevelts' Wedgwood-made design.
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7

Woodrow Wilson

Dishware, Serveware, Porcelain, Metal, Ceramic, Brass, Circle, Natural material, Pottery, Still life photography,
Woodrow Wilson
Wilson's blue and gold state china was the first to be manufactured in the United States.
8

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Serveware, Brown, Dishware, Porcelain, Tableware, Ceramic, Pottery, Beige, earthenware, Circle,
White House Historical Association
Though the economy was intensely depressed, the White House was desperately in need of more china. Eleanor Roosevelt ordered 1,722 pieces of Lenox, noting it would help keep Americans employed.
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9

Harry S. Truman

Dishware, Serveware, Circle, Pottery, Still life photography, Ceramic, Teacup,
White House Historical Association
The Trumans chose a celadon green to match the newly redecorated State Dining Room.
10

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Serveware, Yellow, Dishware, Tableware, Circle, Metal, Porcelain, Natural material, Pottery, Ceramic,
White House Historical Association
An impressive raised gold rim marks the Eisenhower china, designed to pair well with the Truman pattern.
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11

Lyndon B. Johnson

Serveware, Dishware, Porcelain, Cup, Drinkware, Teacup, Tableware, Coffee cup, Ceramic, Saucer,
White House Historical Association
Hand-painted wildflowers make this collection decidedly feminine, a mark of Lady Bird Johnson's involvement in the design.
12

Ronald Reagan

Serveware, Dishware, Porcelain, Cup, Teacup, Tableware, Drinkware, Ceramic, Coffee cup, Saucer,
Ronald Reagan
Nancy Reagan (whose favorite color was scarlet) needed to order a whopping 4,370 pieces of new Lenox china to accommodate the ever-growing state dinners at the White House.
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13

Bill Clinton

Serveware, Dishware, Yellow, Porcelain, Cup, Coffee cup, Ceramic, Drinkware, Teacup, Tableware,
White House Historical Association
The creamy yellow Clinton china was designed to commemorate the bicentennial of the White House as the home of the first family.
14

George W. Bush

Dishware, Serveware, Circle, Platter, Kitchen utensil, Porcelain, Oval,
White House Historical Association
Laura Bush chose green for this iteration of the presidential china, since it would look lovely with any floral arrangement.
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15

Barack Obama

Serveware, Dishware, Porcelain, Ceramic, Drinkware, Pottery, Cup, earthenware, Teacup, Circle,
White House Historical Association
The Obamas' china service includes pops of the newly named "Kailua blue," a nod to the president's home state of Hawaii. Read more about the unveiling here.
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