When the socially prominent art collector, philanthropist, and business executive Marjorie Merriweather Post left her estate in northwest Washington, D.C., to the public, she endowed the United States with the most comprehensive collection of Russian imperial art outside Russia, exquisite 18th-century French decorative art, a large collection of apparel and jewelry, and 25 acres of serene, landscaped gardens and natural woodlands. Open to the public since 1977, Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens today is home to some 20,000 works of art. 

The selection of pieces from Hillwood's collection on display at the 2024 Washington Winter Show embodies Post's taste in porcelain, tableware, silver, gemstones, fashion, and flower-themed designs. It also highlights some of Post's lesser-known interests. That most of the objects chosen are held in storage is indicative of the collection's depth and diversity, which are further mirrored in HIllwood's wide-ranging cultural programs, special exhibitions, and changing displays. The items also speak to the generosity of Post family members and other donors who have supported the ongoing expansion of the collection.