Name/Title
2006 White House ornamentEntry/Object ID
2015.4.82Description
This ornament is part of the White House Historical Association's series of collectible ornaments. It is the twenty-fourth in the series. The ornament commemorates the presidency of Chester A. Arthur, twenty-first President of the United States. According to the insert booklet, Arthur "brought to the White House a luxurious style that signalled the nation's retrn to prosperity after the economic troubles of the late 1870s. The design of the 2006 ornament is inspired by the period motifs and rich decor of Arthur's White House, which will be forever distinguished by the early owrk of famed American artist and decorator Louis Comfort Tiffany. The North Portico of the White House is depicted in the center beneath an American bald eagle. The two translucent ovals flanking the center depict the American dogwood blossoms that Tiffany incorporated in a large screen of red, white, and blue glass, with stood in the Entrance Hall until the turn of the century. The naturalistic leaves that comprise the gold-plated outer wreath of the ornament are derived from murals painted in the Entrance Hall. The honeysuckle details ('"anathemia") in the inner oval frame are adapted from the high Victorian decoration of the East Room." The original ornament was on the tree in the Blue Room of the White House during the 2005 Christmas season. A blue satin ribbon for hanging the ornament is attached.
The ornament includes an informational insert telling about the ornament and the White House Historical Association.
The ornament is in a white box with an ecru velveteen liner highlighted with gold. The lid of the box has an image of the White House on a snowy day with a two-horse open sleigh in front. along with the words "The White House Historical Association Christmas Ornament 2006" in white embossed lettering at the bottom of the lid. The bottom of the box is white with a small white bar code sticker near the bottom and the words "Visit www.whitehousehistory.org" in black under the sticker.Collection
ScarmuzziAcquisition
Accession
2015.4.0Source or Donor
Patricia A. ScarmuzziAcquisition Method
Gift