Archive for February, 2012

Second-hand tableware might not seem the pinnacle of chic, but the 309-piece French porcelain service that George Washington bought from the Comte de Moustier in 1790 was really nice stuff.

Dishes in the 18th century carried a cultural cache similar to that of nice cars or designer purses today, so Washington’s purchase was only one part utilitarian and the other part fashion statement. The fact that he would own at least one other large porcelain service – 302 pieces of Chinese export porcelain emblazoned with the Society of the Cincinnati emblem – points to this fact.

Ceramic services of 300+ pieces (including specialized forms for breakfast, tea, coffee, dessert and dinner) were not uncommon among the upper class in 18th-century America. Washington would acquire hundreds more pieces of all sorts of porcelain throughout his life.

What’s unique about the French set is that despite being made by the Sevres factory, France’s most prestigious manufacturer of luxury porcelains (preferred by none other than the king of France himself), the pattern was quite simple, with minimal decoration save its gilt rims. This ran contrary to the day’s fashion sensibilities, which preferred porcelain in one of an Easter basket of colors such as pink, light green or aqua. Floral designs and rich gilding were also in vogue.

Why the comte brought such a subdued service to the United States to use during his time as French ambassador is unknown. Perhaps because the tableware was simpler (and less expensive), the comte knew he would feel better about leaving it when he was called back to France. We can assume that the understated elegance that struck a balance between not appearing too regal and being sufficiently dignified appealed to Washington who recognized that his tableware, as much as his actions or his official title, would set the tone for the American presidency.

Washington referred to the porcelain as “Save China,” using a phonetic spelling for Sevres. Technically, the compte had collected some of the china from other French factories besides Sevres, but because they all have simple gold-on-white decoration, the pieces complement one another well, as if part of a set. Just as the service came from a variety of locales, Washington’s porcelain can be viewed today at various locations. Mount Vernon has more than 80 of the 309 pieces. Some can be seen on the table in the Mansion’s large dining room. Others are in the presidential dining scenarios in our traveling exhibition and in our Donald W. Reynolds Museum here at the estate. Several pieces will also be on display in our upcoming exhibition Hoecakes and Hospitality, which opens February 18, also in the museum.

Former Associate Curator Laura Simo contributed to this report.

Object Spotlight is a regular feature that highlights household belongings used by the Washingtons. Check out Mount Vernon’s eMuseum to explore more of the family’s belongings.

Feb. 24 was an exciting day of piglet beginnings at Mount Vernon. Annabeth, a first-time mother, gave birth to a litter of 5 black piglets very early in the morning. A few hours later Genesis gave birth to a litter of 7 spotted piglets. Both mothers and their litters are now on-view and are located in the exhibition pig pen next to our orchard. Mount Vernon’s pigs are members of a historic breed called Ossabaw Island Hogs, which existed in George Washington’s day.

George Washington had a particularly newsworthy week with Feb. 20th being Presidents Day and Feb. 22 being his actual birthday. With the Feb. 18 launch of Mount Vernon’s newest exhibit, Hoecakes & Hospitality, even the General’s kitchen received heightened attention. Below is the best of this week’s GW-related news:

Chicken nugget shaped like Washington turns a major profit.

Hoecakes make a 21st century resurgence.

Celebration date for the General’s birthday is questioned.

Ice cream was a favorite of Washington.

Home decor looks better emblazoned with the General.

Hoecakes & Hospitality exhibit opens.

Presidents Day may be celebrated the third Monday of every February, but George Washington’s actual birthday was Feb. 22. Although 18th-century birthdays were not the to-dos that they are today, the General being who he was, was often commemorated nonetheless.

As Mount Vernon historian Mary Thompson points out:

In 18th-century England, as well as in her colonies, it was customary to celebrate the birthdays of the king and various members of the royal family. After the American Revolution, George Washington’s birthday came to substitute for those traditional celebrations, eventually becoming a national commemoration by 1832.

After the parades and ceremonies, the day would typically close with a ball in the evening and a late supper. In 1799, for example, George Washington recorded that he ‘Went up to Alexandria to the celebration of my birthday. Many Manoeuvres were performed by the Uniform [sic] Corps [sic] and an elegant Ball [sic] & Supper [sic] at Night [sic].’ The evening events were held that year at Gadsby’s Tavern on the corner of Cameron and Royal Streets.

It was customary not to start the festivities until the guest of honor had arrived, but Washington’s habitual punctuality meant that the birthnight balls he attended never had to start late. Many years after the event, Martha Washington’s grandson remembered one birthnight ball during the presidency, at which the ladies were wearing bandeaux on their heads, embroidered with the sentiment ‘Long live the president!’

The above 1876 engraving by Currier & Ives is titled “Presidential Reception in 1789. By General and Mrs. Washington.” It does not portray an actual birthnight celebration.