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RARE LINCOLN WHITE HOUSE SERVICE COVERED CUSTARD C. 1861. Comprising an exceedingly rare Limoges porcelain custard cup and cover from the "Solferino" or "Royal Purple" state service, as it became known, of Abraham Lincoln (President 1861-1865). Designed by Mary Todd Lincoln, Haviland & Company, Limoges France as imported by E.V. Haughwout & Company, New York, 1861. Of bulbous form on raised spread foot, the side with spread winged eagle clutching an olive branch and cluster of arrows in his talons. Above, a wide purple band, and the shoulders set with leaf-form handles and with gilt banding, gilt dot pattern and Alhambra gilt tracery. The bell-shaped dome lid similarly decorated and set with arched handle terminating in four gilt decorated leaves. The underside with indistinguishable incised marks and a diamond pattern of 4 dots. Height 3.75 inches, width including handles 3.6 inches. Exceptionally rare.
Provenance:
Private collection, Omaha, Nebraska
Important Notice: The absence of condition information in the description does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition, a condition report is available by request.
Estimate:
$5,000 - 10,000
€ 4,300 - 8,600
Comparison:
For an identical example see: Christies New York, sale of September 25, 2013, as lot #91 and where sold for $17,500.
Originally exhibited at the Crystal Palace Fair of 1853 in New York by the E.V. Haughwout & Co., under the name of Haughwout & Dailey, this service was ordered by Mary Todd Lincoln in 1861. The only change Mrs. Lincoln made was to replace the blue border with "Solferino," or royal purple, that would better compliment the fashionable interiors of the White House and her own personal dress. One of the rarest forms from this service, this custard cup was one of only thirty-six originally ordered by Mrs. Lincoln in May of 1861. The service was reordered in 1866 during the Johnson administration, in 1873 during the Grant Administration and finally in 1884 during the Arthur administration.
For a more comprehensive discussion of the "Solferino" service, see Margaret Brown Klathor, Official White House China, pp. 82-92, and Marian Klamkin, White House China, pp. 70-73.
