"James Madison"

Porcelain

Dessert Plate, $44.00; Teacup & Saucer, $59.00

Dolley Madison is remembered as one of the most gracious First Ladies, and the lavish parties she initiated as wife of the Secretary of State continued when she and President Madison entered the White House. Unfortunately, while Madison was President the War of 1812 began, during which the White House was looted and burned. As a result, only a few pieces of the Madisons' White House tableware remain.

The pieces on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington are dark buff - almost a mustard yellow - in color, decorated with a series of wheel patterns outlined in black. Unlike most White House china, these plates bear no central motif.