George Washington's Dinner Plate
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The most fashionable tables in the early American Republic were set with blue and white Canton ware
Key Features
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- This lovely Blue Canton China Dinner Plate was used by George and Martha Washington
- The Washington's had a preference for Blue Canton China and owned a number of different patterns
- Blue and white Chinese porcelain was in demand well into the 19th century
- This particular dinner plate has been authenticated in a letter by the curator of Mount Vernon
- The plate was formerly owned by Martha Washington's granddaughter, Eleanor Custis Lewis
- Circa 1763-1783
- 9" diameter
Item Details
- Diameter:
9" Inches - Period:
18th Century - Origin:
China/Japan
Owned by George and Martha Washington, this important Blue Canton China dinner plate was used by the Presidential couple when entertaining guests at their famed Mount Vernon home. The Washingtons rarely dined out. They were, however, great entertainers, and thus, great care and consideration was taken in choosing only the best linens, cutlery and of course, table services for their private estate.
The first president and his wife had a preference for Blue Canton China and owned a number of different patterns of this style. In fact, many of the most fashionable tables in the early American Republic were set with Blue Canton, so called because of the great Chinese trading port of its origin. This design was in demand well into the 19th century, and has continued to be popular as a symbol of heritage for many important American families.
This incredible object of American history is accompanied by a letter from Mount Vernon certifying that it was owned by the Washingtons, and by decent to Mrs. Washington's granddaughter, Eleanor Custis Lewis of Woodlawn Plantation. This plate has been part of a traveling exhibition of Washington antiquities that has been viewed in ten individual, prestigious museums nationwide.
Circa 1763-1783
Diameter: 9"
Provenance:
Eleanor Parke Lewis
Lawrence Lewis
H.L.D. Lewis (the great granddaughter of Martha)
Thos. Birch's Sons, Auctioneers, Philadelphia, December 15, 1891, Lot 143
Joseph E. Fields, II
Hendershott Museum Consultants
Claude Harkins
The first president and his wife had a preference for Blue Canton China and owned a number of different patterns of this style. In fact, many of the most fashionable tables in the early American Republic were set with Blue Canton, so called because of the great Chinese trading port of its origin. This design was in demand well into the 19th century, and has continued to be popular as a symbol of heritage for many important American families.
This incredible object of American history is accompanied by a letter from Mount Vernon certifying that it was owned by the Washingtons, and by decent to Mrs. Washington's granddaughter, Eleanor Custis Lewis of Woodlawn Plantation. This plate has been part of a traveling exhibition of Washington antiquities that has been viewed in ten individual, prestigious museums nationwide.
Circa 1763-1783
Diameter: 9"
Provenance:
Eleanor Parke Lewis
Lawrence Lewis
H.L.D. Lewis (the great granddaughter of Martha)
Thos. Birch's Sons, Auctioneers, Philadelphia, December 15, 1891, Lot 143
Joseph E. Fields, II
Hendershott Museum Consultants
Claude Harkins
