Harriet Lane saucer is white with gold painted outline of central circular base and rippled top from center gold ring to edge. Three gold-painted flowers and three gold-painted leaf sprigs decorate the inner rim on rippling. Additional gold leaf sprig at center.
Leaded wine glass with round foot, thickens near stem. Stem is wide near foot and tapers to a narrow shaped stem before slightly flaring wide near base of bowl. Eight faceted. Facets extend up to the bowl of the glass and ends in scallops. Body has slightl flare.
Rolling pin with impressed designs of flowers, birds, fish. Known as a Springley rolling pin, it was similar to the individual Springley molds used to impress designs of fruit, animals, or flowers on German gingerbread and fancy Christmas cakes. The patterns on the rolling pins saved time and trouble, as the patterns could be quickly rolled into the dough.
Large pincushion, top fabric is a light brown velvet; bottom fabric is a stiff, glazed red fabric. The outline of the cushion is a scalloped edge to which has been added a protruding, stiff rust-colored fabric. Beaded fringes further adorn this edging.
The greatest effort is spent on decorating the top with a garish assortment of various types of clear bead roping and massed up "flowers" with added colored beads of green, red, amber, and blue. Snaking beadwork running across the center is a stem or vine terminating with beaded leaves. Additional beaded leaves are clustered around the scalloped perimeter of top. Various pins inserted into top, including one with a clear spiraling glass head and two with berry shaped heads of twisted red yarns and gold threads. Stuffing is quite heavy and dense.
Provenance
The pincushion was owned by the donor's grandmother.
One of twelve linen napkins. White damask with hunting scenes on outside. Stag hunting with horses and dogs. Scene on inner side of napkin is duck hunting. At one corner, embroidered in white is 'HLJ' with the Johnston crest of an arm and dagger.
One of two clear leaded glass nut dishes. Octagonal and oblong clear glass dishes with flared sides. Laurel wreath border etched 0.50" below the lip around all eight sides. Monogram 'HE' (for Henry Elliott Johnston) etched at the center base.
Glass is 0.125" thick. All 8 sides angle inward to the base at approximately a 45 degree angle. The base measures 4.125" long by 2.50" wide.
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2022-11-09
Condition Notes
A small chip is missing from the lip one of the short octagonal corners. Some light scatches are visible on the base around the monogram initials 'HE.'
One of 16 glass finger bowls. Frosted glass except where clear shield near the upper rolled edge. Shallow bowl with slightly convex bottom on inside. Shield design is etched with an engraved old English letter 'J'. Eight-point star impressed into center of bowl's exterior base.
Asian Design Saucer Owned by Harriet Lane Johnston
Description
Chinese export porcelain saucer, hand-painted and glazed, one of a set of four. White body has conventional saucer shape with foot ring, up-curving sides and curve-molded edge. Top is densely decorated with heavily applied paint. Border is especially dense with polychrome repeating designs of flowers, leaves, birds, etc. Within a circle border at bottom center is a scene of 5 well-dressed Chinese ladies gathered on a porch or terrace adjacent to a dwelling. Similar scenes depicted on all saucers in this set.
Provenance
Saucer owned by Harriet Lane Johnston, then descent within family to donor.
Asian Design Saucer Owned by Harriet Lane Johnston
Description
Chinese export porcelain saucer, hand-painted and glazed, one of a set of four. White body has conventional saucer shape with foot ring, up-curving sides and curve-molded edge. Top is densely decorated with heavily applied paint. Border is especially dense with polychrome repeating designs of flowers, leaves, birds, etc. Within a circle border at bottom center is a scene of 5 well-dressed Chinese ladies gathered on a porch or terrace adjacent to a dwelling. Similar scenes depicted on all saucers in this set.
Provenance
Saucer owned by Harriet Lane Johnston, then descent within family to donor.