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
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/