U. S. Department of State, Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room

The Benjamin Franklin State Dining Room

The largest of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms was named after the "Father of the American Foreign Service," Benjamin Franklin. It was redesigned architecturally in the classical manner by John Blatteau and completed in 1985.

This monumental room has free-standing scagliola Corinthian columns along the room's long walls and engaged columns along the short walls. At the end of the room hangs a portrait of Benjamin Franklin painted by David Martin in London, 1767. Gilding has been used to heighten the decorative plaster ornament of the entablature and the coffered cove above the entablature. The Great Seal of the United States, depicted in plaster and gilt, decorates the center of the ceiling, along with eight Adam-style cut-glass chandeliers.

The floor is covered with a Savonnerie-style carpet, made for the room with design elements including the Great Seal of the United States, symbols of the four important crops of the early Republic, the four seasons, and in the the field 50 stars representing the States of the Union. This State Dining room is the primary room used to entertain both foreign and American guests.

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A Two-Tiered Still Life with Fruit (Nature's Bounty")
In the elaborate works most typical of his career, Roesen often introduced the two-tiered marble table top, not of an actual table, but an artistic caprice. Still Life with Vase of Flowers and Bird's Nest
These still lifes ultimately derive from the 17th century Dutch tradition which had never died out, continuing into the 19th century, especially in northern Europe.

Side Board
Eight-legged sideboards are rare indeed. This one is a spare but elegant example of the more expensive and unusual form. The Spirit of '76
This painting is the model for the chromolithograph published by Clay, Cosak and Company of Buffalo for the Centennial of 1876.

Side Board
By the end of the 18th century, the sideboard had largely taken the place of the pier table as the place for serving food in America's fashionable dining rooms.

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	A Two-Tiered Still Life with Fruit (Nature's Bounty") In the elaborate works most typical of his career, Roesen often introduced the two-tiered marble table top, not of an actual table, but an artistic caprice.		Still Life with Vase of Flowers and Bird's Nest These still lifes ultimately derive from the 17th century Dutch tradition which had never died out, continuing into the 19th century, especially in northern Europe.
	Side Board Eight-legged sideboards are rare indeed. This one is a spare but elegant example of the more expensive and unusual form.		The Spirit of '76 This painting is the model for the chromolithograph published by Clay, Cosak and Company of Buffalo for the Centennial of 1876.
	Side Board By the end of the 18th century, the sideboard had largely taken the place of the pier table as the place for serving food in America's fashionable dining rooms.