Crab Soup Plate in the Hayes State Service

This porcelain soup plate was made for the White House by Haviland and Co. of New York City and Limoges, France, in 1879. President Rutherford B. Hayes purchased the plate as part of a state dinner service that featured elaborate designs conceived by American artist Theodore Russell Davis. First Lady Lucy Hayes had planned to select a floral pattern for the White House service when she had a chance meeting with Davis. Davis suggested that instead she opt for depictions of flora and fauna native to North America, and Mrs. Hayes agreed. She commissioned Davis as the designer, and he produced 130 distinct decorations for the 562 piece service.