Rowan Berry Tea Set
Artifact IDMO 75.911a-z
Object Type
Service, Tea
Date
ca. 1960
Date Presented6/4/1961
Gifter
Nikita Khrushchev
Place MadeLeningrad, Russia, Europe
Medium
Silver gilt; enamel
DimensionsOverall (Cup) H 2 in x W 3 3/4 in x D 2 7/8 in (5.1 cm x 9.5 cm x 7.3 cm )
Overall (Saucer) H 1/2 in x Diam 4 1/4 in (1.3 cm x 10.8 cm )
Overall (Dish) H 3/4 in x Diam 3 1/4 in (1.9 cm x 8.3 cm )
Overall (Spoon) H 1/4 in x W 4 5/8 in x D 7/8 in (0.6 cm x 11.7 cm x 2.2 cm )
Overall (Sugar bowl) H 4 1/2 in x Diam 4 1/8 in (11.4 cm x 10.5 cm )
Overall (Strainer) H 3/4 in x W 4 5/8 in x D 2 5/8 in (1.9 cm x 11.7 cm x 6.7 cm )
Overall (Saucer) H 1/2 in x Diam 4 1/4 in (1.3 cm x 10.8 cm )
Overall (Dish) H 3/4 in x Diam 3 1/4 in (1.9 cm x 8.3 cm )
Overall (Spoon) H 1/4 in x W 4 5/8 in x D 7/8 in (0.6 cm x 11.7 cm x 2.2 cm )
Overall (Sugar bowl) H 4 1/2 in x Diam 4 1/8 in (11.4 cm x 10.5 cm )
Overall (Strainer) H 3/4 in x W 4 5/8 in x D 2 5/8 in (1.9 cm x 11.7 cm x 6.7 cm )
Physical DescriptionGilded tea service of cloisonne enamel in red and white on black over glided copper ground. Clusters of rowan berries with white foliage decorate the set. Set includes six tea cups and saucers, six small octagonal preserve dishes, six spoons, one sugar bowl with bail handle, and one strainer. All pieces bear official Soviet state silver hallmark: ^*916^ (phi) O.
Historical NoteThis tea set was presented to First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy by Premier of the USSR and Mrs. Khrushchev during the Vienna Conference on June 4, 1961.
The technique of cloisonne enameling goes back to ancient Byzantium. Thin strips of metal are soldered onto the copper ground to form the outlines that are then filled in with colored enamels. This difficult technique was almost forgotten in Europe when in 1850 an imperial decree by Czar Nicholas I revived it and made it into a specialty of Russian craftsmen, much sought-after all over Europe.
Additional DetailsThe technique of cloisonne enameling goes back to ancient Byzantium. Thin strips of metal are soldered onto the copper ground to form the outlines that are then filled in with colored enamels. This difficult technique was almost forgotten in Europe when in 1850 an imperial decree by Czar Nicholas I revived it and made it into a specialty of Russian craftsmen, much sought-after all over Europe.
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift to President and Mrs. Kennedy from Nikita Khrushchev, Premier of all USSR. It was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from Heads of State (National Archives Identifier 1677008)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view
