This is a porcelain plate decorated with a painting of a sandpiper and a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow painted by First Lady Caroline Scott Harrison. The plate was painted while she served as first lady during her husband Benjamin Harrison's administration. This plate is in the collection of the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.

This is a porcelain plate purchased and then painted by First Lady Caroline Scott Harrison. She purchased blank porcelain plates to paint decorations on, such as the pansies seen on this plate. Mrs. Harrison was known for giving these pieces as gifts to friends and family.

This is a porcelain plate purchased by First Lady Caroline Scott Harrison. Mrs. Harrison purchased blank porcelain plates to paint decorations on, such as the irises seen on this plate. Mrs. Harrison was known for giving these pieces as gifts to friends and family. She also put these pieces up for charity auctions as well.

This is a porcelain plate purchased by First Lady Caroline Scott Harrison. Mrs. Harrison purchased blank porcelain plates to paint decorations on, such as the nasturtiums seen on this plate. Mrs. Harrison was known for giving these pieces as gifts to friends and family. She also put these pieces up for charity auctions as well.

This is a porcelain plate painted by Paul Putzki. First Lady Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison was a friend and student of Putzki. They met in Indianapolis where the Harrison family lived before the presidency of Mrs. Harrison's husband, Benjamin Harrison. During her husband's administration, Mrs. Harrison invited Putzki to come and teach classes in Washington D.C. at the White House. He set up a personal studio in the city and taught classes in the White House Conservatory.

This photograph is of First Lady Hillary Clinton presented the completed plate from the 200th anniversary service in 2000. The service was made by Lenox China of Trenton, New Jersey. President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton selected a state service with this design to celebrate the White House's 200th anniversary in 2000. The plate features the north view of the White House and a border that reflects architectural details of the White House. It was the first time the image of the White House was used on a state china service.

This engraving illustrates in reverse the designs for two dinner plates that were exhibited by Haughwout & Dailey Co. at the 1853 “exhibition of the industries of all the nations” in the Crystal Palace in New York City, the nation’s first world’s fair. The design on the left was selected by President Franklin Pierce in 1853, with the personalized monogram “p” eliminated, for an order of 287 pieces. The design on the right, with a version of the arms of the United States, was selected by Mary Todd Lincoln in 1861 and purchased from the successor firm, E.V. Haughwout & Co.

This photograph of First Lady Nancy Reagan's place setting was taken by Joseph H. Bailey for the National Geographic Service on June 21, 1982, in the State Dining Room at a luncheon for the ladies of the Senate.

This color photograph by Matthew D'Agostino is of a dinner plate that was created in 2015, and inspired by an 1806 service plate of Secretary of State James Madison. The leaf fronds and pinwheels in the French Empire style portrayed in white relief along the lip of the plate were inspired by the Madison china. This plate is a representation of First Lady Michelle Obama's desire to incorporate an old, historic style with modern design.

This color photograph by Matthew D'Agostino is of a dessert plate that was created in 2015 by Pickard China in Antioch, Illinois and was among a set of the last tableware to be seen and used during state service. The design demonstrates the shift from primary colors used more recently to the new selection of a fluted Kailua Blue, a unique color chosen by First Lady Michelle Obama to represent the blue waters of Hawaii, President Barack Obama's home state. In accordance with tradition, the plate bears the Presidential Coat of Arms.

This color photograph by Matthew D'Agostino is of a selection of the Obama state china. The pieces, created in 2015 by Pickard China, include a tureen, saucer, and soup plate. The soup plate demonstrates the modern, fluted, Kailua Blue color framed by a classic gold gilt. The tureen is a new addition to the traditional service ware used for a State Dinner, and represents First Lady Michelle Obama's successful attempt to incorporate modern food service and design with historic characteristics. When speaking with the culinary staff, Mrs. Obama was made aware of the chefs' difficulty with serving soup at State Dinners because of a lack of the proper service ware. Because of this, Mrs. Obama included the tureen as a practical application previously unknown to State Dinners.

This color photograph by Matthew D'Agostino is of Obama state service pieces which were created in 2015 per request of First Lady Michelle Obama. The large service plate was the first plate in the Obama State service to be displayed. In accordance with tradition, the center of the plate bears the Presidential Coat of Arms. The saucer demonstrates the modern, fluted Kailua Blue framed by a classic gold gilt.

This transfer-printed earthenware plate was made by Job & John Jackson of Burslem, England, between 1831 and 1843. The scalloped plate depicts the White House from the southwest, surrounded by a floral border. The design was derived from an 1831 engraving, and the plate itself was a 1961 gift to the White House. English earthenware plates with decorative views of American landmarks were made by British manufacturers for American markets.