Tablescapes

Ceramics and porcelains like those found in Hyde Hall were not only a symbol of prestige but also the byproduct of revolution and civil unrest in the late 18th and early 19th century. The War for Independence brought an end to the dominion of English products amongst American elites that even a peace treaty in 1783 could not rectify.

George Clarke purchased 5 dinner services, 4 tea sets and 2 coffee sets for his formal entertaining. In 1813 he paid $106.00 for a French porcelain "Dining Service" that remains at Hyde Hall. In 1824 he acquired a British transfer-print dining and tea set entitled "British Views" for $71.56, followed in 1827 by another British transfer-print "Dining Set" of 132 pieces for $75.00. To  celebrate the completion of his new dining room in 1833, he purchased a 227-piece French porcelain "Dining and Dessert Service" attributed to the Scholcher firm in Paris for $500. A 157-piece British dinner set was purchased the same year at auction in Cooperstown for $15.50.