This repaired serving bowl came in as a donation to a museum I curate for. I know the design is probably part of the Rutherford B Hayes State Service dinnerware set featuring North American flora and fauna designed by Theo R. Davis for Haviland.
This one features a jack rabbit.
It is most likely one that was sold to the general public after its introduction in the White House. It was previously broken but professionally repaired (I don’t know when, but looks like a long time ago). It measures about 12″ x 10″ x 4″.
I would like to know if my assumptions about it are correct–is it rare? Worth keeping? Should I keep it in the vault or is it to be relegated to a mere box on a storage shelf? (Right now, it’s in boxed up in the vault). So many questions, so little knowledge… 😉
You can find multiple photos at Pinterest: https://pin.it/qlcyqru2phptz2
https://www.whitehousehistory.org/photos/treasures-of-the-white-house-hayes-state-dinner-service
This tells how to tell the difference between the White House set and those for public sale !! However,, would have no idea if the jackrabbit dish is rare compared to other pieces of the same set !! Although I can say the jackrabbit is becoming rare here in my part of Texas !! I will check tomorrow to see if there is a Haviland historian !!
I see no reason why you can not display it as White House dinnerware !! It is the same design and I doubt if anyone cares if this dish was on the dinner table there !! Most will be looking at the amazing artwork !!
There was no provenance provided with the bowl. I assume it was made for public sale and is not part of the original White House dinnerware set.
It is marked on the bottom with Theo Davis’ signature, the Haviland Mark, a patent date and number 11934. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/45599014964678524/
https://m.skinnerinc.com/search?s=Theodore+R+Davis
Looks like most of his dinnerware was decorated by Davis and produced by Haviland !! In looking over past sales I would say it is not rare but as presidential dinnerware it is worth keeping !! In excellent condition I would estimate it at about $!500 to $2000. !! But since it has a repair and is only one piece,, current market values would be more in the $900. to $1000 range !! Hard to guess what the buying public would pay for it but that would be my estimate !! The repair hurts it quite a bit as well as the availability of many on the market !!
Is it marked on the bottom ?? If not,, it would be a problem to say for sure it was part of a presidential set !! But from what I saw it would be a likely probability that it was !!
What was told when it was donated and did that person have any type of provenance ??