This gilded bronze and mirrored plateau or centerpiece was made by the Parisian firm Denière et Matelin circa 1817, during James Monroe's presidency. Elements of the plateau may have been based on designs by the famed French architects Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine, who completed many commissions for Napoleon. Visitors marveled over the elegant piece, shown here in the White House State Dining Room.

In this photograph, maitre d'hotel John W. Ficklin surprises President Giuseppe Saragat of Italy with a birthday cake during a State Dinner held in his honor on September 19, 1967. The State Dinner was hosted by President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson on the Italian president's 69th birthday. Prominently displayed on the table is a gilded bronze plateau purchased for the White House during the James Monroe administration. After the dinner in the State Dining Room, guests transitioned to the East Room where they enjoyed selections from the musical "Man of La Mancha" by Richard Kiley, who originated the role of Don Quixote in the Broadway production.

The photograph of the State Dining was taken by Robert L. Knudsen on February 12, 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. The State Dining Room is captured with a recently installed new carpet, which would be followed by a new mantel in July of that year. The table is decorated with floral arrangements in bronze doré or gilded bronze pieces from the James Monroe administration. The State Dining Room is located on the State Floor of the White House. The room is often the setting for State or Official Dinners and is the second largest room in the White House.

This photograph of a floral arrangement on display in the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2020 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. The flowers are displayed in a gilded bronze basket attributed to the French firm Denière et Matelin of Paris. It was purchased for the White House in 1817, when James Madison and then James Monroe held office. The basket depicts the Three Graces, Greek goddesses of beauty and charm. The holiday theme for 2020 was “America the Beautiful,” which celebrated the natural wonders of the American landscape. Selected by First Lady Melania Trump, the White House decorations also paid tribute to the courage and resilience of frontline workers, members of the military, and other American heroes. In 2020, American frontline and essential workers faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of a floral arrangement on display in the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2020 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. The flowers are displayed in a gilded bronze basket attributed to the French firm Denière et Matelin of Paris. It was purchased for the White House in 1817, when James Madison and then James Monroe held office. The basket depicts the Three Graces, Greek goddesses of beauty and charm. The holiday theme for 2020 was “America the Beautiful,” which celebrated the natural wonders of the American landscape. Selected by First Lady Melania Trump, the White House decorations also paid tribute to the courage and resilience of frontline workers, members of the military, and other American heroes. In 2020, American frontline and essential workers faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of floral arrangements on display in the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2020 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. The holiday theme for 2020 was “America the Beautiful,” which celebrated the natural wonders of the American landscape. Selected by First Lady Melania Trump, the White House decorations also paid tribute to the courage and resilience of frontline workers, members of the military, and other American heroes. In 2020, American frontline and essential workers faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of floral arrangements on display in the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2020 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. The holiday theme for 2020 was “America the Beautiful,” which celebrated the natural wonders of the American landscape. Selected by First Lady Melania Trump, the White House decorations also paid tribute to the courage and resilience of frontline workers, members of the military, and other American heroes. In 2020, American frontline and essential workers faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of flower arrangements on display in the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2020 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. The flowers are displayed in a gilded bronze basket attributed to the French firm Denière et Matelin of Paris. It was purchased for the White House in 1817, when James Madison and then James Monroe held office. The basket depicts the Three Graces, Greek goddesses of beauty and charm. The holiday theme for 2020 was “America the Beautiful,” which celebrated the natural wonders of the American landscape. Selected by First Lady Melania Trump, the White House decorations also paid tribute to the courage and resilience of frontline workers, members of the military, and other American heroes. In 2020, American frontline and essential workers faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of flower arrangements on display in the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2020 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. The flowers are displayed in a gilded bronze basket attributed to the French firm Denière et Matelin of Paris. It was purchased for the White House in 1817, when James Madison and then James Monroe held office. The basket depicts the Three Graces, Greek goddesses of beauty and charm. The holiday theme for 2020 was “America the Beautiful,” which celebrated the natural wonders of the American landscape. Selected by First Lady Melania Trump, the White House decorations also paid tribute to the courage and resilience of frontline workers, members of the military, and other American heroes. In 2020, American frontline and essential workers faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This photograph of a holiday decorations on display in the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D'Agostino on November 30, 2020 during a press preview of the White House holiday decorations. The holiday theme for 2020 was “America the Beautiful,” which celebrated the natural wonders of the American landscape. Selected by First Lady Melania Trump, the White House decorations also paid tribute to the courage and resilience of frontline workers, members of the military, and other American heroes. In 2020, American frontline and essential workers faced unique challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this photograph, taken on April 15, 2001, First Lady Laura Bush arranges gifts on a table for guests to the Prairie Chapel Ranch, the Bush family's home near Crawford, Texas. While working from the ranch, President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush welcomed national security advisors and visiting dignitaries alike with Texas hospitality. Preparations for guests included thoughtful details, such as an extra blanket and a small plate with a cookie in guest bedrooms.

This gilded fruit basket was made in France between 1820 and 1830 and belonged to John Tyler, who became president after William Henry Harrison's death in 1841. The basket features two bisque winged angels. It is one of the few objects in the White House associated with Tyler, who held office during an economic depression and did not receive funds from Congress to furnish or maintain the White House. The basket was photographed by Bates Littlehales for the National Geographic Service in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.

This gilded fruit basket was made in France between 1820 and 1830 and belonged to John Tyler, who became president after William Henry Harrison's death in 1841. The basket features two bisque winged angels. It is one of the few objects in the White House associated with Tyler, who held office during an economic depression and did not receive funds from Congress to furnish or maintain the White House. The basket was photographed by Bates Littlehales for the National Geographic Service in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.

This gilded fruit basket was made in France between 1820 and 1830 and belonged to John Tyler, who became president after William Henry Harrison's death in 1841. The basket features two bisque winged angels. It is one of the few objects in the White House associated with Tyler, who held office during an economic depression and did not receive funds from Congress to furnish or maintain the White House. The basket was photographed by Bates Littlehales for the National Geographic Service in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.

This photograph of a table setting was taken in March 1962. The setting includes china from the state service of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and reproductions of flatware purchased during the James Monroe administration. In front of the place setting reserved for President John F. Kennedy is a gilded bronze basket featuring the Three Graces filled with fresh flowers. This piece is attributed to Denière et Matelin of Paris.

This bronze doré, or gilded bronze, basket is from the White House Collection. The basket was created circa 1817 by Denière et Matelin of Paris, France. The basket was part of the French purchases made by President James Monroe for the White House in 1817. Bates Littlehales photographed this basket in 1962.

This bronze doré, or gilded bronze, basket is from the White House Collection. The basket was created circa 1817 by Denière et Matelin of Paris, France. The basket was part of the French purchases made by President James Monroe for the White House in 1817. Bates Littlehales photographed this basket in 1962.

This circa 1987 photograph depicts the Family Dining Room as it appeared during the administration of President Ronald Reagan. The "Hiawatha Boat" centerpiece is displayed in the center of the table. First Lady Julia Grant selected the centerpiece at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. The portrait hanging above the mantel is of John Hartwell Cocke, a Virginia planter and officer during the War of 1812, by Edward Troye.

This photograph of the State Dining Room was taken by National Geographic around 1962, during the John F. Kennedy administration. On the long table rests James Monroe's 13-foot gilded bronze surtout de table centerpiece or plateau that is the oldest object still used in the State Dining Room.

This photograph of the State Dining Room was taken in 1999 by Erik Kvalsvik during the Bill Clinton administration. On the long table rests James Monroe's 13-foot gilded bronze surtout de table centerpiece or plateau that is the oldest object still used in the State Dining Room.

This photograph of the State Dining Room was taken by Ralph Waldo Magee on January 26, 1928 during the Calvin Coolidge administration. The long dining table was set for a dinner to honor the Supreme Court, with James Monroe's 13-foot gilded bronze surtout de table centerpiece or plateau adorned with flowers and gilded bronze candelabra. The centerpiece is the oldest object still used in the State Dining Room. The large armchair at the middle of the table was used by First Lady Grace Coolidge.

This photograph of the State Dining Room by Frances Benjamin Johnston was taken ca. 1893 after its redecoration by Edgar Yergason during the Benjamin Harrison administration. In 1891, electricity was installed, though there are remnants of Louis Comfort Tiffany's redecoration from a decade before, including light fixtures, hammered silver backed gas wall brackets, and low-back oak chairs. The four walnut side tables lining the walls were placed there in 1867 and would remain there for nearly fifty years.

This stereograph of the State Dining Room was taken in the 1870s, before Louis Comfort Tiffany's 1882 redecoration of the State Floor during the Chester A. Arthur administration. James Monroe's 13-foot gilded bronze surtout de table centerpiece is on full display atop the grand dining table.

This color photograph, taken in 1999 by Bruce White depicts the Family Dining Room as it appeared during the administration of President Bill Clinton. The portrait hanging above the fireplace mantel is of John Hartwell Cocke, a Virginia planter and officer during the War of 1812, by Edward Troye. On the table is a a rare American silver plateau made in New York City by John W. Forbes.

This circa 1892 photograph by Frances Benjamin Johnston depicts the Family Dining Room as it appeared during the administration of President Benjamin Harrison. Note the President Rutherford B. Hayes state service plates and the President Ulysses S. Grant-era Gorham Mfg. Co. "Hiawatha Boat" centerpiece displayed on the left sideboard. First Lady Julia Grant selected the centerpiece at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.