This sugar bowl was produced in 1795 and presented to First Lady Martha Washington in 1796 by a director of the Dutch East India Company. The bowl was part a Chinese Export porcelain service and originally had a lid. It was decorated with her initials and a border of chain links representing the 15 states of the Union, the service was used in the Washingtons’ Philadelphia residence. As a result of increased sugar production due to growth of sugar plantations fueled by the Atlantic slave trade, sugar bowls became popular pieces of tableware. The Washingtons may have displayed it in public spaces alongside other fine tableware, exhibiting their wealth, worldliness, and patriotism to guests dining at their home.

This sugar bowl was produced in 1795 and presented to First Lady Martha Washington in 1796 by a director of the Dutch East India Company. The bowl was part a Chinese Export porcelain service and originally had a lid. It was decorated with her initials and a border of chain links representing the 15 states of the Union, the service was used in the Washingtons’ Philadelphia residence. As a result of increased sugar production due to growth of sugar plantations fueled by the Atlantic slave trade, sugar bowls became popular pieces of tableware. The Washingtons may have displayed it in public spaces alongside other fine tableware, exhibiting their wealth, worldliness, and patriotism to guests dining at their home.

This Rococo-Revival armchair was taken by George F. Mobley in 1962. It is similar to the one in G. P. A. Healy's famous portrait of President Abraham Lincoln. The chair was found in storage and reupholstered in wine-red velvet that was popular in the Victorian era. White House Curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce was most likely responsible for researching and arranging for the chair's restoration. This photograph is part of the Lorraine Waxman Pearce Collection. Lorraine Waxman Pearce served as the first White House Curator from 1961 to 1962. As curator, she oversaw refurbishment projects, implemented collections policies, and collaborated with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to write the first White House guidebook—a joint publication of the National Geographic Society and the White House Historical Association. Since its original publication in 1962, “The White House: An Historic Guide” has been revised, updated, and printed for over 60 years.

This photograph of a side chair by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé in the Blue Room was taken in March 1962 by George F. Mobley. For First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration of the White House, the Blue Room was restored to the period of the James Monroe presidency. The chair had been returned to the White House Collection as a gift for that restoration project. In 1817, President Monroe imported a suite of gilded beechwood furniture by the noted Parisian cabinetmaker, Pierre-Antoine Bellangé, as well as a table plateau, vases, clocks, tables, gold centerpieces, and candelabrum to create a splendid setting for social events. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The oval parlor has been known as the Blue Room since Martin Van Buren’s 1837 redecoration. The room is often used for receptions, photo opportunities, and during the holiday season is home to the official White House Christmas Tree. This photograph is part of the Lorraine Waxman Pearce Collection. Lorraine Waxman Pearce served as the first White House Curator from 1961 to 1962. As curator, she oversaw refurbishment projects, implemented collections policies, and collaborated with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to write the first White House guidebook—a joint publication of the National Geographic Society and the White House Historical Association. Since its original publication in 1962, “The White House: An Historic Guide” has been revised, updated, and printed for over 60 years.

This photograph of a Rococo-Revival armchair was taken by Abbie Rowe at the White House circa 1961 to 1962. It is similar to the one in G. P. A. Healy's famous portrait of President Abraham Lincoln. The chair was found in storage and later reupholstered in wine-red velvet that was popular in the Victorian era. White House Curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce was most likely responsible for researching and arranging for the chair's restoration. This photograph is part of the Lorraine Waxman Pearce Collection. Lorraine Waxman Pearce served as the first White House Curator from 1961 to 1962. As curator, she oversaw refurbishment projects, implemented collections policies, and collaborated with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to write the first White House guidebook—a joint publication of the National Geographic Society and the White House Historical Association. Since its original publication in 1962, “The White House: An Historic Guide” has been revised, updated, and printed for over 60 years.

This Rococo-Revival armchair was taken by George F. Mobley in 1962. It is similar to the one in G. P. A. Healy's famous portrait of President Abraham Lincoln. The chair was found in storage and reupholstered in wine-red velvet that was popular in the Victorian era. White House Curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce was most likely responsible for researching and arranging for the chair's restoration. This photograph is part of the Lorraine Waxman Pearce Collection. Lorraine Waxman Pearce served as the first White House Curator from 1961 to 1962. As curator, she oversaw refurbishment projects, implemented collections policies, and collaborated with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to write the first White House guidebook—a joint publication of the National Geographic Society and the White House Historical Association. Since its original publication in 1962, “The White House: An Historic Guide” has been revised, updated, and printed for over 60 years.

This vase, attributed to Pierre-Louis Dagoty of Paris, was purchased for the Red Room. It shows a landscape with Byzantine general Belisarius. The swans on the handles are often seen on French Empire objects. This firm also produced a dinner and dessert service for the President's House in 1817. The vase had been in storage until it was identified by White House Curator Lorraine Waxman Pearce as an item from the James Monroe presidency. This photograph is part of the Lorraine Waxman Pearce Collection. Lorraine Waxman Pearce served as the first White House Curator from 1961 to 1962. As curator, she oversaw refurbishment projects, implemented collections policies, and collaborated with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to write the first White House guidebook—a joint publication of the National Geographic Society and the White House Historical Association. Since its original publication in 1962, “The White House: An Historic Guide” has been revised, updated, and printed for over 60 years.

This photograph of a side chair by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé in the Blue Room was taken in March 1962 by George F. Mobley. For First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy's restoration of the White House, the Blue Room was restored to the period of the James Monroe presidency. The chair had been returned to the White House Collection as a gift for that restoration project. In 1817, President Monroe imported a suite of gilded beechwood furniture by the noted Parisian cabinetmaker, Pierre-Antoine Bellangé, as well as a table plateau, vases, clocks, tables, gold centerpieces, and candelabrum to create a splendid setting for social events. The Blue Room is located on the State Floor of the Executive Mansion. The oval parlor has been known as the Blue Room since Martin Van Buren’s 1837 redecoration. The room is often used for receptions, photo opportunities, and during the holiday season is home to the official White House Christmas Tree. This photograph is part of the Lorraine Waxman Pearce Collection. Lorraine Waxman Pearce served as the first White House Curator from 1961 to 1962. As curator, she oversaw refurbishment projects, implemented collections policies, and collaborated with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to write the first White House guidebook—a joint publication of the National Geographic Society and the White House Historical Association. Since its original publication in 1962, “The White House: An Historic Guide” has been revised, updated, and printed for over 60 years.

This photograph is of silver flatware acquired for the White House during President James Monroe's administration, from 1817 to 1825. It was taken by an unknown photographer circa 1962. The knives bear an engraving that reads "President's House." White House Curator Lorriane Waxman Pearce recognized the flatware, which had previously been in storage. This photograph is part of the Lorraine Waxman Pearce Collection. Lorraine Waxman Pearce served as the first White House Curator from 1961 to 1962. As curator, she oversaw refurbishment projects, implemented collections policies, and collaborated with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to write the first White House guidebook—a joint publication of the National Geographic Society and the White House Historical Association. Since its original publication in 1962, “The White House: An Historic Guide” has been revised, updated, and printed for over 60 years.

This sugar bowl was produced in 1795 and presented to First Lady Martha Washington in 1796 by a director of the Dutch East India Company. The bowl was part a Chinese Export porcelain service and originally had a lid. It was decorated with her initials and a border of chain links representing the 15 states of the Union, the service was used in the Washingtons’ Philadelphia residence. As a result of increased sugar production due to growth of sugar plantations fueled by the Atlantic slave trade, sugar bowls became popular pieces of tableware. The Washingtons may have displayed it in public spaces alongside other fine tableware, exhibiting their wealth, worldliness, and patriotism to guests dining at their home.

This glass locket containing the hair of President Thomas Jefferson and his daughter Martha was acquired for the White House Collection in 1975 during the Gerald R. Ford presidency. The locket is attributed to Fossin et Fils, a prestigious Paris jewelry company that provided goods to King Louis-Philippe of France (1830–1848) as well as other European heads of state, and was produced circa 1825 to 1868.

This punch bowl was created by Tiffany and Company in 1874. The punch bowl features an intricate and realistic design of pine needles with eagle's heads and talons around the brim of the bowl. The design of the punch bowl is attributed to James H. Whitehouse and Eugene Soligny is attributed with the modeling and chasing. An "M" stamp at the bottom of the bowl indicates the bowl was made under the leadership of Edward C. Moore during his tenure at Tiffany and Company. This piece was donated to the White House Collection in 2005 during the George W. Bush administration.

This bergère by Pierre-Antoine Bellangé of Paris is part of a 53-piece gilded beechwood suite ordered for the Oval Room (later called the Blue Room) by President James Monroe in 1817. A bergère is an armchair with upholstered and enclosed sides. The bergère is one of two made for the president and first lady. The bergère was photographed by Bruce White in the Blue Room of the White House.

This carved and gilded beechwood pier table is of the French Empire style and was manufactured by Pierre-Antoine Bellange of Paris. This table is the only piece of the 53-piece Bellange suite purchased by President James Monroe that has always remained in the White House.

This selection of the 200th anniversary china 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. Features in the photo from left to right across the back are a dessert plate, dinner plate, service late, fish plate and a salad plate. In front left to right are a cream soup cup and saucer, a teacup and its accompanying saucer.

This tapered form work table is one of only four known nearly identical tables (a second is also present in the White House). Here it is shown with all its drawers and compartments open. Its form and complexity attribute the work to Duncan Phyfe of New York. This desk was made for a variety of tasks including: writing, sewing, or miniature painting. Phyfe was born in Scotland and emigrated to New York in 1784. He became one of the premiere cabinet makers in the United States during the first half of the 19th century, known for blending the previous English Neoclassical and Regency styles together in a distinctive way. Phyfe benefited from his location in New York City on Fulton Street, where he was able to ship his furniture out to the southern States and the rich cotton magnates there, as well as to international ports. The table was a gift of the Richard King Mellon Foundation to the White House in 1971.

This scrolled-back armchair was created by A. H. Davenport in 1902 during the Theodore Roosevelt administration. The armchair is one of six chairs ordered for the Green Room of the White House. The seats and backs were upholstered in tapestry fabric, making them the most expensive type of armchairs in the Green Room. The chairs were originally painted white but were later gilded in the 1930s.

This tall case clock by E. Howard Watch and Clock Company of Boston, Massachusetts was purchased for the White House in 1882 during the Chester A. Arthur administration. The clock was originally placed in the Cross Hall on the State Floor of the White House, where it remained until the 1930s when it was moved around to a number of rooms on the Ground Floor until 2003. President Arthur added a number of furnishings to the White House during his time office, though this clock was one of the few items to survive the 1902 White House renovation.

This silver sugar bowl, hot water urn, and kettle on a stand were part of a 12-piece service made for President Millard Fillmore and his wife, First Lady Abigail Fillmore, by the renowned New York firm Wood & Hughes. They purchased the service, which is engraved with their names, circa 1858, after Fillmore left office. Mrs. Fillmore used the proceeds from the sale of a horse and carriage in 1850 to purchase the set. The urn was acquired for the White House by the White House Historical Association in 1973.

These French porcelain serving pieces, including a dinner dish, vegetable dish, soup plate, dessert stand, fruit basket, and dessert plate, were made for the White House by Edouard D. Honoré of Paris in 1846. President James K. Polk ordered this pattern for the state service. The pieces feature gilded rims molded in a scroll design and light green details, as well as a version of the shield from the Great Seal of the United States, although this one contains stars in the chief which are not present on the Great Seal or Presidential Seal, and the scroll containing the motto "E Pluribus Unum." The dessert plates also included a large, hand-painted flower.

This silver wine cooler was made by French silversmith Jean-Baptiste-Claude Odiot between 1798 and 1809. James Monroe, who served as president from 1817 to 1825, owned the wine cooler, and later sold it to the government for use at the White House. The wine cooler is engraved with the words "President's House" and features sculptural elements, a hallmark of Odiot's work.

This gilded bronze and mirrored plateau or centerpiece was made by the Parisian firm Denière et Matelin circa 1817, during James Monroe's presidency. Elements of the plateau may have been based on designs by the famed French architects Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine, who completed many commissions for Napoleon. Visitors marveled over the elegant piece, shown here in the White House State Dining Room.

This walnut, brass, and ivory medicine chest was taken from the White House during the fire of August 24, 1814 and given to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by a descendant of Thomas Kains, a British naval officer who was part of the party that burned the White House down during the Invasion of Washington during the War of 1812. Bruce White photographed the medicine chest opened in 2023. To see the chest closed, see asset ID 1137880.

This walnut, brass, and ivory medicine chest was taken from the White House during the fire of August 24, 1814 and given to President Franklin D. Roosevelt by a descendant of Thomas Kains, a British naval officer who was part of the party that burned the White House down during the Invasion of Washington during the War of 1812. Bruce White photographed the medicine chest closed in 2023. To see the chest opened, see asset ID 1137879.

This miniature watercolor on ivory portrait of William Thornton was created by Robert Field circa 1800. Dr. William Thornton was born in the British West Indies in 1759 and gained U.S. citizenship in 1787. Thornton moved to Washington, D.C. after President George Washington chose his design for the U.S. Capitol building and appointed him a city commissioner. Considered the "first architect of the Capitol," Thornton held the role of head of the Patent Office from 1802 until his death in 1828. William Thornton and the creator, Robert Field, were acquaintances. This portrait is a part of the White House Collection.