"John Quincy Adams "

Porcelain

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

A Meissen plate in the White House china collection represents John Quincy and Louisa Adams in this historic series. The Adams selected this service during their extensive diplomatic duties in Germany. This plate features a large, gold rosette at the center, and the rim's five panels combine lavender/pink, red, and gold. Each panel encloses two other figures that resemble seahorses separated with blue and yellow motifs.

As for their official state china, the Adams utilized the 270-piece Monroe dinner service and the 157-piece Monroe dessert service during their time at the White House. This existing china seemed adequate to serve their purposes, since neither of the pair particularly enjoyed the social aspects of their duties.