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.
Remains of green silk at both ends over linen. Backing appears to be natural color linen with an open weave wool decorated with needlepoint floral-design repeated about ten times down length. Red rose/lavender rose/blue violets, with green leaves also shadings of brown.
One of two teacups. Inside of cup is lined with gold. Gilt decor forms a wide band on the exterior around the rim that and connects to and covers the handle and a vertical gilt band that connects to the flared foot. The body of the bowl is white with a flower and landscape hand-painted scene.
Nast or Darte Freres factory, Jean-Pierre Feuillet, designer.
Mark applied over glaze, therefore some of the ojects no longer have the designer's signature
Height (cm)
6.35
Height (ft)
0.2083333333
Height (in)
2.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2023-04-03
Object ID
W.1935.010.010
Notes
In 1995 the JBF staff assigned the Object ID W.95.69.2 to this Compote as a FIC probably because original paper records were not found.
In March 2023 the paper file has been found that identifies Lois Cassatt Thayer as the donor in 1935. Mrs. Thayer was the daughter to Alexander Cassatt and his wife, Maria Lois Buchanan Cassatt. Maria Lois Buchanan was the daughter to Rev. Dr. Edward Y. Buchanan, the youngest sibling to President James Buchanan.
One of three demitasse cups. Inside of cup is lined with gilt decor that extends over the cup's rim. The rim gilding connects to two vertical gilt bands and a band around the base forming a frame around varied handpainted landscape scenes; the cup handle is also gilded. The remainder of the outer body has a solid pink hue.
Nast or Darte Freres factory. Jean-Pierre Feuillet, designer.
Mark applied over glaze, therefore some of the ojects no longer have the designer's signature
Height (cm)
6.35
Height (ft)
0.2083333333
Height (in)
2.5
Depth (cm)
5.3975
Depth (ft)
0.1770833333
Depth (in)
2.125
Diameter (cm)
6.35
Diameter (ft)
0.2083333333
Diameter (in)
2.5
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2023-04-14
Condition Notes
Inside lip of the cup has a large chip missing.
Object ID
W.1963.002.025
Notes
In 1995 the JBF staff assigned the Object ID W.95.69.2 to this Compote as a FIC probably because original paper records were not found.
In March 2023 the paper file has been found that identifies Patty Lane Fayer Eldridge as the donor in September 1963. Mrs. James W. Eldridge was the daughter to Patty Lane Fay and the great niece to Harriet Lane Johnston. Patty Lane Fay was daughter to James Buchanan Lane, the first-born to Jane Buchanan Lane, President James Buchanan's sister.