The stoneware mug's body is predominantly white surmounted with a wide green band that is outlined with narrow gilt bands. The handle is also white and outlined with similar gilt bands.
J.W. Pankhurst & Company, Charles St. & Old Hall St
This frog doorstop serves as an iconic symbol of James Buchanan's attachment to his favorite spring at his Wheatland farm, and was donated because it was an appropriate piece.
Known as a box or lap coffee mill. The iron handle has a wood knob; when turned the handle activates a round burred grinder inside the metal hopper. The ground roasted beans collect in the small wood drawer at the base.
Clear molded glass cruet with raised fluted ribs from the neck down to the base surmounted by a 1.00" bulbous neck, reducing to a 0.5" diameter spout. Curved clear glass handle is applied to one side.
Lignum vitas wood caster with round, bowl-like top, pierced for shaking out pounce. Base is ring-turned tapers smaller to broad top, flat bottom. Small, shallow dotted pattern in two bands near bottom. Lip at top has thin groove. Top screws onto base that would be filled with pounce, which is a fine powder made from powdered cuttlefish bone. Pounce was used both to dry ink and to sprinkle on a rough writing surface to make it smooth enough for writing.
Esther 'Hetty' Parker, James Buchanan's housekeeper, chose this among several other household items that Buchanan noted she was to be allowed to choose after his death. Miss Hetty gave this to the daughter of her neighbor. Miss Steckman donated this to the Wheatland collection in 1938.
Lithograph- Print of Prince Albert from Painting by F. Winterhalter; black ink, oval background. Prince Albert- body is 1/2 to his right, head is 1/4 to the right, looking forward. Wearing military dress with medals. Signed 'Albert'
F. Winterhalter painted the original. J. A. Vinter, engraver. Day & Son, lithographer.
Extremely large Japanese porcelain bowl. White ground with blue decoration. Footed with sea waves on base and three rows of slanted lines on neck of base. Outside of bowl has cranes and bamboo depicted in white with blue ground color.
This bowl was presented as a gift of state to President Buchanan in 1860 by the Japanese delegates representing the Tokugawa shogunate government. The bowl was created by Jihei Kawamoto as one of two bowls for sake. It reflects the Emperor's personal symbol and his regard for James Buchanan marking a new and firm friendship between Japan and the United States.
Provenance
Following the assasination of Abraham Lincoln, Mrs. Lincoln marked the bowl as an item to sell to pay for some of the debts she was struggling under. Her friend and advisor, George Riggs advised her not to sell the bowl. He made her an offer for the bowl and she sold it to him. Mr. Rigg's daughter, Jane, inherited the bowl and eventually bequeatherd it to Miss Mary F. McMullen who in turn bequeathed it to Mr. J.B. McMullen. A distant relative of James Buchanan, Mr. Wylie Buchanan, purchased the bowl from McMullen and donated it to the Wheatland collection in 1960.
Belonged to James Buchanan as President. Left white house sometime after and was in possession of Geo. Washington Riggs by mid-May 1865. Remained in Riggs family until 1930 when given to a family servent Mary McMullen.
Signature stamp. Thin metal layer mounted on thick piece of wood, attached by small nails. Thin metal has signature of 'James Buchanan' carved out of it in reverse. Wood stained along metal strip from ink
Photograph of Harriet Lane. Harriet Lane in studio photo facing 3/4 front to her right. Head turned front. Hands clasped at front, holding white handkerchief. Hair braided at sides, wrapped at back. Wearing silk gown, medium colored, with white collar. Mounted in an American 1850 scoop picture frame with a rustic tree branch motif.
Photograph on display in Wheatland is a digital reproduction. Original photgraph moved to archives for conservation purposes.
To be removed from frame and stored in archival safe folder.
Object ID
W.1989.082.001
Notes
Original photograph removed from frame on 27 July 2009 - placed in archival storage for conservation purposes. (East Attic, flat files). Photograph and frame both bear the number 89.82.
