EXCLUSIVE

The U.S. State Department is out to entertain the world, and when it comes to silverware it's sparing no expense.

Lenox Holdings just snagged a State Dept. contract for $71.7k to provide "elegant yet graceful formal table settings that reflect American standards ... for official entertaining of foreign dignitaries."

Lenox carves "Embassy Scroll" patterns on the handles.

The company got a similar contract from the State Dept. in August for $284,000. Lots of knives and forks.