Plate

Object Name:

Plate

Object ID:

1932.011

Creator:

Shenango China

Place of Origin:

New Castle, PA

Date:

circa 1932

Description:

States Plate. Porcelain. Round plate, plain rim; foot ring present. Outside rim has single gold band. Inside the band is image of a snake done in blue, black, and gold, with the snake's tail inside its mouth. Inside of snake are 15 green rings connected with gold rings. Within each green ring is the name of a state, with New Hampshire at the top. Decoration in center of plate is a gold radiating star with letters "WM" intertwined in center. A green band is around the initials. Below the initials is a ribbon done in pink and black, with the text "DECUS ET TUTAMEN AB ILLO". Provenance described on back of plate.

Material:

Ceramic

Dimensions:

H-0.9 Dia-9.7 inches

Provenance:

Printed inscription on back: "MARTHA WASHINGTON / 'STATES' PLATE / Authorized reproduction of the / original Martha Washington States / China specially made for the Washing- / tons' use at Mt. Vernon and mentioned in / Martha Washington's will as 'the set given / me by Mr. Van Braam' Original plate now in / the Smithsonian Institution in the loan collec- / tion of Mrs. Francis W. Dickins. This reprod- / uction made under the sponsorship of / Quota Club International for the George / Washington Bicentennial 1932." Beneath (all in caps) "Shenango China / New Castle, Pennsylvania, U.S.A." Paper label with donor information on back of plate.

Credit Line:

Gift of John G. Winant

People:

Washington, Martha (1731-1802), Winant, John G. (1889-1947)

Subjects:

Chain links, Porcelain, Reproductions, Snakes, Stars