Christmas ornament
Date: 1999
Inventory Number: MUS-117-0019
Classification: Decorative Arts
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
City of Use:
Dimensions:
closed: 7.4 × 5.8 × 0.3 cm (2 15/16 × 2 5/16 × 1/8 in.)
open: 7.4 × 12.3 × 0.3 cm (2 15/16 × 4 13/16 × 1/8 in.)
box: 13 × 15 × 1.5 cm (5 1/8 × 5 7/8 × 9/16 in.)
information card: 12 × 13.5 × 0.2 cm (4 3/4 × 5 5/16 × 1/16 in.)
ribbon: 25 × 0.5 × 0.1 cm (9 13/16 × 3/16 × 1/16 in.)
Accessories: box; information card
DescriptionRectangular book like Christmas ornament has a center cutout through which protrudes a ceramic medallion featuring an enameled painting of President Abraham Lincoln. The 14K gold plated ornament is hinged on left side which allows the front to swing open and reveal the oval portrait medallion which is surrounded by inscribed patriotic symbols including flags, cannon, and drums. An integrated loop cast in to the back of the ornament is used to attach the purple silk ribbon by which one can hang the ornament.
The original box (13.5 x 15 cm) is covered in gold foil printed with purple ink. The box is decorated with a centered line drawing of Lincoln and below is printed “Christmas 1999, The White House Historical Association.”
The included information booklet (12 x 13.5 cm) is of heavy white paper printed with black ink. Below a centered silhouette of Lincoln is written “Christmas 1999, The White House Historical Association.” The foldout booklet has four double sided pages.
The original box (13.5 x 15 cm) is covered in gold foil printed with purple ink. The box is decorated with a centered line drawing of Lincoln and below is printed “Christmas 1999, The White House Historical Association.”
The included information booklet (12 x 13.5 cm) is of heavy white paper printed with black ink. Below a centered silhouette of Lincoln is written “Christmas 1999, The White House Historical Association.” The foldout booklet has four double sided pages.
In Collection(s)
Inscribedfront, engraved: The White House
interior, engraved:THE UNION NOW AND FOREVER
back, engraved in an oval suround: Christmas 1999 / President Abraham Lincoln (in script) / 1861-1865 (in script) / ©1999 WHHA / Made in USA / ALincoln (in script)
interior, engraved:THE UNION NOW AND FOREVER
back, engraved in an oval suround: Christmas 1999 / President Abraham Lincoln (in script) / 1861-1865 (in script) / ©1999 WHHA / Made in USA / ALincoln (in script)
FunctionObject is decorative, though sold as a Christmas ornament this piece could be repurposed at the discretion of the purchaser.
Curatorial Remarks-Item was manufactured in Lincoln, Rhode Island (for which there is no Geography Xref)
-The original painting of Lincoln is in the White House Collection.
Artist : George P. A. Healy (1813-1894)
Medium: oil on canvas, 73 3/4 x 55 5/8 inches (187.3 x 141.3 cm)
Bequest of Mrs. Robert Todd Lincoln, 1939
https://www.whitehousehistory.org/lincoln-in-the-state-dining-room
Brief history of ornament series:
In 1961, Jacqueline Kennedy established the White House Historical Association (WHHA) with the mission to educate and inspire Americans. Since 1981, WHHA has offered annual Christmas ornaments to the public with proceeds supporting education and preservation of White House art and artifacts. Each ornament honors an individual president or a significant White House anniversary. Though ornaments are designed by different artist each year, they have always been manufactured by ChemArt, in Lincoln, Rhode Island (https://www.whitehousehistory.org/about-the-official-white-house-christmas-ornament).
-The original painting of Lincoln is in the White House Collection.
Artist : George P. A. Healy (1813-1894)
Medium: oil on canvas, 73 3/4 x 55 5/8 inches (187.3 x 141.3 cm)
Bequest of Mrs. Robert Todd Lincoln, 1939
https://www.whitehousehistory.org/lincoln-in-the-state-dining-room
Brief history of ornament series:
In 1961, Jacqueline Kennedy established the White House Historical Association (WHHA) with the mission to educate and inspire Americans. Since 1981, WHHA has offered annual Christmas ornaments to the public with proceeds supporting education and preservation of White House art and artifacts. Each ornament honors an individual president or a significant White House anniversary. Though ornaments are designed by different artist each year, they have always been manufactured by ChemArt, in Lincoln, Rhode Island (https://www.whitehousehistory.org/about-the-official-white-house-christmas-ornament).
ProvenancePurchased by Stephanie Gray from the White House Historical Association in 1999.