American Furniture, Folk and Decorative Arts

Note Owned by Henry Smith (1766-1818) of Providence, Rhode Island, this is the only known Chinese Export porcelain service to have used the Great Seal of the United States as decoration. In 1796, Smith served as supercargo aboard the China-bound ship, the George Washington. It is presumed that Smith ordered the porcelain service at this time. The final design of the Great Seal of the United States was approved by Congress in 1782, but it has been noted that the version used on Smith's service was adapted from the masthead of the Providence weekly newspaper, the United States Chronicle. Pieces from this service are in the collections of the Rhode Island School of Design, Rrovidence, Rhode Island and The Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts.