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The Obama State China Service (Video)
YouTube ^ | 4-27-2015

Posted on 05/02/2015 10:15:37 PM PDT by Citizen Zed

For a new state china service, First Lady Michelle Obama wanted it to have modern elements, but also for it to be practical, in the sense that it would be complementary to the preceding historic state services. The Obama State China Service consists of eleven-piece place settings for 320. Mrs. Obama sought a different color from the more primary red, green, blue, and yellow used on the more recent state services. She chose a blue inspired by the waters off the President’s home state of Hawai’i, calling it “Kailua Blue.” A fluted band of the Kailua Blue color, framed by a textured gold rim and a simple gilt inner line, appears on all pieces of the service except the service and dinner plates. A similar fluted band of color - in a matt gold finish - was selected for the wide rim of the large service plate. This plate is related to the gold-rimmed service plates acquired in 1955 by the Eisenhowers, to supplement the 1951 Truman state service, and the service plates in the 2000 White House Bicentennial service, now referred to as the Clinton state service. For the gilt-edged white dinner plate, an early historical precedent was selected. Relief decoration of pinwheels and leaf fronds was derived from a French Empire dinner service purchased for James Madison in 1806, when he was secretary of state. The original personal service, made by Nast of Paris, was probably used by the Madisons in their temporary official residences after the British burned the President’s House in 1814. Examples can be seen in the White House China Room. The Individual tureen, a form not found in other White House services, shares both motifs – the fluted Kailua Blue band and the white relief band. It also adds to the practicality of the service, as it can be used for soup, small entrees or desserts. The gold Presidential coat of arms appears at the center of the service plate and dessert plate, and on the side of the straight-sided can cup for coffee or tea. These are the forms seen first and last on the table at a formal White House dinner.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: ceramics; dinnerware
Near the end of the video Michelle claims that they have not been able to serve soup at state dinners until now. Boo Hoo.
1 posted on 05/02/2015 10:15:37 PM PDT by Citizen Zed
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To: Citizen Zed
China From Antioch Company Picked For White House State Dinners
2 posted on 05/02/2015 10:30:08 PM PDT by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> ---)
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To: Citizen Zed

I seem to remember that Chairman Mao ordered a fancy set of table ware ......at about time the “Great Leap Forward” was falling on its face.


3 posted on 05/02/2015 10:33:15 PM PDT by spokeshave
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To: Citizen Zed

Looks Green to me.


4 posted on 05/02/2015 10:51:17 PM PDT by Red_Devil 232 ((VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!))
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To: Citizen Zed
Seems everyone has been able to serve soup except the Obamas. But who would want it? Likely as tasteless as the china.
5 posted on 05/03/2015 2:45:42 AM PDT by DakotaGator (Weep for the lost Republic! And keep your powder dry!!)
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To: Citizen Zed
I don't know what is practical about a covered soup bowl -- especially one that is as large as a small casserole! Where do you put the lid? Does each guest have a footman standing by to remove the lid? Otherwise, the tablecloth will become wilted from the steam.

But, not to worry! Michelle says she's going to use those covered soup bowls for ice cream. (They are HUGE.) A little portion control is called for! The guests are still going to have to find a place to put the lids after they are served.


6 posted on 05/03/2015 4:06:56 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Doubles as a chamber pot for Michelle


7 posted on 05/03/2015 6:39:39 AM PDT by LYDIAONTARIO
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To: afraidfortherepublic
The guests are still going to have to find a place to put the lids after they are served.

Maybe it's a Greek thing ...where the plates are broken at the after dinner dance......


8 posted on 05/03/2015 8:08:07 AM PDT by spokeshave
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To: afraidfortherepublic
That's just hideous, but I guess with the economy boombing they we can afford to buy place settings for 350, that's 3800 pieces of china.

What the hell, it's not their money...

9 posted on 05/03/2015 8:15:27 AM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

You’d think after 43 presidents there would be at least
one set left for them to use.


10 posted on 05/03/2015 8:17:03 AM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: LYDIAONTARIO

LOL!


11 posted on 05/03/2015 8:18:41 AM PDT by Polyxene (Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.)
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To: Citizen Zed

Hey, Mama Moo — how ‘bout serving up one of your yummy public school lunches on your new china. Six-year-old meat should look good served on your fancy dishes!


12 posted on 05/04/2015 11:26:16 AM PDT by Polyxene (Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice.)
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