American demand for exotic Chinese imports increased with the onset of direct trading between China and the United States in 1784. While President, George Washington took advantage of the wide variety of Chinese luxury goods arriving in New York and Philadelphia. He purchased a number of lacquerware pieces, including a set of dressing boxes, of which this example is part, likely for use by Martha Washington or one of Mrs. Washington's granddaughters: Martha, Eleanor, or Eliza Parke Custis. The elegant containers were used to store small items such as jewelry or hair pins.