2003 White House Ornament

The boy on the rocking horse is inspired by an authentic Victorian illustration of a child's joy at Christmas. This hand painted, cold cast porcelain figure is surrounded by a 24 kt gold brass finished wreath with enameled colors. Toy's of the type available at Washington's fancy goods stores during the Grant administration (1869--1877) adorn the wreath and a steam locomotive, a symbol of this age of industrialization, swings below. President and Mrs. Grant sent elaborate gift barrels of confections and fruit to instructions caring for the orphans of families torn apart by the Civil War.