This photograph of White House curator William G. Allman in the State Dining Room was taken by Matthew D’Agostino on April 27, 2015, during the Barack Obama administration. At a press preview ahead of the State Dinner held in honor of Prime Minister Shinzō Abe of Japan, Allman discussed the Obama’s recently revealed state china service. The Japan State Dinner would be the first official occasion where the Obama state service was used. The service included 11 pieces per setting and was designed with a modern aesthetic that was compatible and interchangeable with other historic services in the White House Collection. In a nod toward President Obama’s upbringing in Hawaii, several pieces in the service are complimented with bands of “Kailua blue”. Allman served as curator from 2002-2017.