This photograph, by Ron Edmonds of the Associated Press, shows the George W. Bush State China Service that first lady Laura Bush unveiled today at the White House.

"Lenox makes these special sets for the White House and I think maybe for some other heads of state from other countries," Bush told reporters. "But it's a really different process, and they're not available to anyone else.

The White House Historical Association Acquisition Trust, a nonprofit group, paid $492,798 for 320 14-piece place settings, according to a fact sheet officials distributed to reporters. Here's more info:

• The porcelain place setting service features a green basket weave border based on a French dinner service believed to have been owned by James and Dolley Madison. The dessert plates replicate a laurel wreath found on the Madison’s Parisian c.1799-1805 dinner plates. The serving plates and the rim of other pieces also feature an eagle emblem inspired by an American Bald Eagle inlay found on the center drawer of the Massachusetts sideboard, believed to have been owned by Daniel Webster.

• The 14 pieces are: Service Plate, Dinner Plate, Luncheon Plate, Salad Plate, Dessert Plate, Tea Cup, Tea Saucer, 9-inch Soup Cup, Bouillon Cup, Bouillon Saucer, Cream Soup Cup, Cream Soup Stand, Demitasse Cup, and Demitasse Saucer.


comment:
First lady Laura Bush showed off a new gold-rimmed set with less than two weeks to use it before the family packs up their things and headed for Texas.