This silver flatware was acquired for the White House during James Monroe's administration, from 1817 to 1825. The knives bear an engraving that reads "President's House." The photograph was taken by Bates Littlehales for the National Geographic Service in March 1962 during the John F. Kennedy administration.

This silver flatware was acquired for the White House during James Monroe's administration, from 1817 to 1825. The knives bear an engraving that reads "President's House." The photograph was taken 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 photograph of First Lady Nancy Reagan's place setting was taken by Joseph H. Bailey for the National Geographic Service on June 21, 1982, in the State Dining Room at a luncheon for the ladies of the Senate.

These knives were part of a 36-piece flat wear service made for the White House by J. B. Boitin of Paris in 1817, during James Monroe's presidency. The service has since been reproduced for use at state luncheons and dinners. The pearl-handled knives feature a gilded coat of arms.

These gilded silver spoons were made between 1809 and 1819 and used at the White House during Martin Van Buren's administration from 1837 to 1841. Lavish expenditures for White House furnishings came under scrutiny during Van Buren's presidency, when Pennsylvania Congressman Charles Ogle delivered his famous "Gold Spoon Oration" before the House of Representatives. The photograph was taken by William Phillips.

These spoons were specially made for the White House by Washington, D.C. silversmiths Charles A. Burnett and Jacob Leonard between 1817 and 1830. The mustard spoon on the left was the work of Leonard, while the two salt spoons on the right came from Burnett. Several presidents, including Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, patronized these local silversmiths.

This spoon was made by Elizabeth Tookey in London between 1768 and 1769 and originally belonged to Bathurst Skelton, the first husband of Martha Wayles Jefferson. It bears the initials B, M, and S for Bathurst and Martha Skelton. Martha married Thomas Jefferson after Skelton's death, but she died nearly twenty years before Jefferson became president.

This spoon was made by Elizabeth Tookey in London between 1768 and 1769 and originally belonged to Bathurst Skelton, the first husband of Martha Wayles Jefferson. Martha married Thomas Jefferson after Skelton's death, but she died nearly twenty years before Jefferson became president. The engraving on the spoon describes its history.

This photograph of a state dinner in White House State Dining Room was taken in June 1996, during Bill Clinton's administration. The place settings include the state dinner service first selected during Woodrow Wilson's administration, gilded flatware, and glassware first purchased during John F. Kennedy's presidency.