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 !!