Bookcase composed of two sections. The upper cabinet has two hinged doors that latch at center. The shelving is adjustable and both doors feature 12 oblong-shaped glass panes and mullions. The lower cabinet has two hinged wood doors that latch and lock at the center; each door features a square recessed panel.
Provenance
Thomas Potter
To - William Morris Meredith
To - James Buchanan
To - Harriet Lane Johnston
To - John Newton Lane
To - James Buchanan Lane II
To - Thomasina Thomas Lane
To - James Buchanan Foundation
Thomas Potter - 2nd owner of Wheatland
Sold to - William Morris Meredith for $75
Sold to - James Buchanan for $75
Bequeathed to - Harriet Lane Johnston
Bequeathed to - John Newton Lane, Harriet's nephew
Bequeathed to - James Buchanan Lane II, John N. Lane's son
Bequeathed to - Thomasina Thomas Lane, James B. Lane II's spouse
Vase splat chair, back top rail is faced with a crotch-grain mahogony veneer and is a wide concave cross member with rounded ends, a rolled cresting and scroll-cut lower edge. The top is supported by plain rounded uprights that are a continuation of the square rear legs that have a backward saber curve.
The back is open with a wide urn-shaped splat that surmounts the upholstered, rectangular slip seat. The front rail has a conforming shape to the seat and is supported by the front legs that are flat and shaped in a reverse ogee curve with rounded front edges.
This mirror is mounted in a Cassetta Frame. cassetta frame, a design that has been in use for over 500 years. This Renaissance frame design, which are also called plate frames and box frames (the word cassetta means "small box"), were developed in Italy during the late 15th century. This frame has gilt surface on the inner molding.
Year Range From
1830
Year Range To
1850
Storage Location
Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
North Middle Bedchamber
Storage Wall
East Wall
Object Name
Mirror, Wall
Material
Wood, Glass
Height (cm)
56.1975
Height (ft)
1.84375
Height (in)
22.125
Width (cm)
81.5975
Width (ft)
2.6770833333
Width (in)
32.125
Depth (cm)
2.54
Depth (ft)
0.0833333333
Depth (in)
1
Dimension Details
Mirror (excluding frame)
H 22.25"
W 13.25"
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-06-22
Condition Notes
Spots of desilvering on glass. Chip on wood frame, ~5in below top right corner. Minor scratches on veneer
Object ID
W.1996.003.001
Notes
Renumbered because it shared the same number with another object. Formerly G.35.42, now 96.3.
Vase splat chair, back top rail is faced with a crotch-grain mahogony veneer and is a wide concave cross member with rounded ends, a wide concave crest and scroll-cut lower edge. The top is supported by plain rounded uprights that are a continuation of the square rear legs that have a backward saber curve.
The back is open with a wide urn-shaped splat that surmounts the upholstered, rectangular slip seat. The front rail has a conforming shape to the seat and is supported by the front legs that are flat and shaped in a reverse ogee curve with rounded front edges.
Contoured brown satin vest has standing collar of brown velvet with floral motif. Long sleeves have velvet cuffs attached. Center front embellished with velvet. Back flaps have velvet between two sating flaps. 16 hand-finished buttonholes; 13 cicular (5/8") bronze-colored shank/loop buttons with figure and silver-colored crescent moon. Inside, 2 loops of brown fabric tape sewn at underarms. Fully lined. All seam edges hand overcast. There are pockets for 10 stays: 2 each side for bodice darts; 2 either sied of underarm and 2 to contour back.
Year Range From
1800
Year Range To
1815
Storage Location
Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Butler's Pantry
Storage Wall
East Wall
Object Name
Bodice
Material
Mahogany
Length (cm)
48.26
Length (ft)
1.5833333333
Length (in)
19
Width (cm)
34.29
Width (ft)
1.125
Width (in)
13.5
Dimension Details
Width measurement is shoulder seam to shoulder seam.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-07-07
Condition Notes
Left cuff loose. Some seam wear at underarms & right sleeve exterior; some underarm stains from wear. 2 buttons are sewn with white thread & one is upside down. One button hole torn.
Bowfront mahogany veneer chest of drawers in the Hepplewhite style. Four drawers have progressing depths from the top to the bottom, each with overpressed drawer pulls two per drawer. At the top center of each drawer is a brass escutcheon keyhole. The top of the chest and each drawer are decorated with satin wood inlay. Chest is supported at its base by four french feet which feature a slightly outswept bracket foot combined with a valence skirt.
Provenance
Dr. Alexander Speer (James Buchanan maternal cousin)
Creamer, glazed soft paste procelain. Sticker on bottom says: Rounded sides with front and back molded into a shell shape. Gently curving spout, missing handle.
Paint decoration consists of brown borders arount mouth, handle and side decoration. Around the mouth is a 1/2-inch pink band with a string of diamond shapes containing 4 dots edged on the bottom with painted scallops. On either side is a large pink rose and three large flowers with yellow centers and tiny red petals. Leaves of green; and yellow and green
Provenance
Handwritten note, in black ink, on slip of unlined paper reads: "Presented by Mrs. Bessie M. Keplinger for her mother, Mrs. Ella Fox."
Handwritten on a sticker attached to the bottom of the pitcher:
"First owned by/ Hettie Breneman Lightner/
1800/ Given to Mrs. Ella Fox/ by her grandmother/ Jane Lightner Henry."
Date Range
1800
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
West Wall
Storage Cabinet
Unit 33
Storage Shelf
Shelf 3
Object Name
Pitcher, Cream
Material
Clay
Height (cm)
10.795
Height (ft)
0.3541666667
Height (in)
4.25
Length (cm)
13.97
Length (ft)
0.4583333333
Length (in)
5.5
Width (cm)
8.255
Width (ft)
0.2708333333
Width (in)
3.25
Condition
Fair to poor
Condition Date
2022-10-17
Condition Notes
Handle missing. Some chipping and paint loss overall Cracks from rim on one side. Some crazing and soiling.
Butterfly series purple transfer print. Central design features a bird, flowers and a butterfly. 3 butterflies with alternating flowers decorate the outer rim.
A purple design with "Butterfly" in the center is on the bottom of the dish. A crown with the maker's name is impressed onto the bottom: "Clews Warranted Staffordshire."
Two older stickers: "SD #49A" and "H 189."
Year Range From
1818
Year Range To
1834
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
West Wall
Storage Cabinet
Unit 33
Storage Shelf
Shelf 3
Object Name
Saucer
Width (cm)
15.24
Width (ft)
0.5
Width (in)
6
Depth (cm)
3.81
Depth (ft)
0.125
Depth (in)
1.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-10-20
Condition Notes
Color on pattern is somewhat pale and part of design appear worn off.
Butterfly series purple transfer print. Central design features a bird, flowers and a butterfly. 3 butterflies with alternating flowers decorate the outer rim.
A purple design with "Butterfly" in the center is on the bottom of the dish. A crown with the maker's name is impressed onto the bottom: "Clews Warranted Staffordshire."
Two older stickers: "SD #49A" and "H 190."
Year Range From
1818
Year Range To
1834
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
West Wall
Storage Cabinet
Unit 33
Storage Shelf
Shelf 3
Object Name
Saucer
Width (cm)
15.24
Width (ft)
0.5
Width (in)
6
Depth (cm)
3.81
Depth (ft)
0.125
Depth (in)
1.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-10-20
Condition Notes
Surface of bowl is bumpy with small pieces of gravel present when the piece was fired.
Butterfly series purple transfer print. Central design features a bird, flowers and a butterfly. 3 butterflies with alternating flowers decorate the outer rim.
A purple design with "Butterfly" in the center is on the bottom of the dish. A crown with the maker's name is impressed onto the bottom: "Clews Warranted Staffordshire."
Two older stickers: "SD #49A" and "H 191."
Year Range From
1818
Year Range To
1834
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
West Wall
Storage Cabinet
Unit 33
Storage Shelf
Shelf 3
Object Name
Saucer
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-10-20
Condition Notes
Some purple smudges and irregularity/missing parts on delicate outline of central design.
Butterfly series purple transfer print. Central design features a bird, flowers and a butterfly. 3 butterflies with alternating flowers decorate the outer rim.
A purple design with "Butterfly" in the center is on the bottom of the dish. A crown with the maker's name is impressed onto the bottom: "Clews Warranted Staffordshire."
Two older stickers: "SD #49A" and "H 192."
Year Range From
1818
Year Range To
1834
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
West Wall
Storage Cabinet
Unit 33
Storage Shelf
Shelf 3
Object Name
Saucer
Material
Clay
Width (cm)
15.24
Width (ft)
0.5
Width (in)
6
Depth (cm)
3.81
Depth (ft)
0.125
Depth (in)
1.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-10-10
Condition Notes
Small irregularities in central surface of bowl. Portion of one butterfly's's wing is missing.
Butterfly series purple transfer print. Central design features a bird, flowers and a butterfly. 3 butterflies with alternating flowers decorate the outer rim.
A crown with the maker's name is impressed onto the bottom: "Clews Warranted Staffordshire."
Two older stickers: "SD #49A" and "H 193."
Year Range From
1818
Year Range To
1834
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
West Wall
Storage Cabinet
Unit 33
Storage Shelf
Shelf 3
Object Name
Saucer
Width (cm)
15.24
Width (ft)
0.5
Width (in)
6
Depth (cm)
3.81
Depth (ft)
0.125
Depth (in)
1.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-10-20
Condition Notes
Some pitting and bumps on surface of center portion of bowl. A few irregularities in transfer print. Chip in lower edge on bottom.
Butterfly series purple transfer print. Central design features a bird, flowers and a butterfly. 3 butterflies with alternating flowers decorate the outer rim.
A purple design with "Butterfly" in the center is on the bottom of the dish. A crown with the maker's name is impressed onto the bottom: "Clews Warranted Staffordshire."
Two older stickers: "SD #49A" and "H 194."
Year Range From
1818
Year Range To
1834
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
West Wall
Storage Cabinet
Unit 33
Storage Shelf
Shelf 3
Object Name
Saucer
Width (cm)
15.24
Width (ft)
0.5
Width (in)
6
Depth (cm)
3.81
Depth (ft)
0.125
Depth (in)
1.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-10-20
Condition Notes
A few particles were fired onto the center of bowl,
Gilded, ogee-molded frame with applied acanthus leaf design at two bottom corners. Top crest heavily molded with applied relief. Two sides have c-scroll with top crest of shield, shell, foliate floral design. Garlands of flowers across with central appled bunch of grapes. Crest curves out and forward.
Porcelain china compote with hand-painted landscape scenary on outer body of the bowl. Acquired by James Buchanan while serving as Secretary of State from then outgoing French Ambassador, Louis Adolphe Aimé Fourier, comte de Bacourt.
Nast or Darte Freres factory. Jean-Pierre Feuillet, designer.
Provenance
French Ambassador, Louis Adolphe Aimé Fourier, comte de Bacourt
Mark applied over glaze, therefore some of the ojects no longer have the designer's signature
Height (cm)
13.97
Height (ft)
0.4583333333
Height (in)
5.5
Diameter (cm)
25.4
Diameter (ft)
0.8333333333
Diameter (in)
10
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2023-03-31
Condition Notes
Some thinning of decorative paints, chipping, broken.
Object ID
W.1935.010.001
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.
Chair's green paint was striped in 1976. Unknown if paint was original.
Object ID
W.1974.028.001
Notes
Original accession number W.35.28, would lead one to believe the James Buchanan Foundation obtained the chair in 1935; however, teh file holds letters written by the donor, Mr. Russel, that are dated 1974. The Accession Record is, therefore, inaccurate.
Research required to authenticate object connection with Elizabeth Speer Buchanan. The donor's 14 May 1974 letter states that the chair "came from the home of James Buchanan. When his Mother died at Cove Gap, PA." It should be noted that primary sources indicate that Elizabeth Speer Buchanan died on 14 May 1833 at 9:00 AM at the home of her daughter in Greensburg, PA.
Sheraton/Empire Tabernacle style mirror. Gilt mirror with a flat molded cornice with projecting breaks at the corners and fourteen pendent sphere. Double pilasters have decorative captials, beaded reeds and a rope motif terminating with urn-shaped bases. Frieze has foliate carvings.
Bottom mirror's silvering is delaminating from exposure to moisture; some chipping on the gilt frame.
Object ID
W.1935.042.001
Notes
Mr. Robert K. Cassatt's (donor) aunt was Miss Annie Buchanan. Annie was Robert's mother's sister and niece to James Buchanan. This mirror formerly hung at Wheatland.
Rectangular tray. White porcelain with gold trim, raised pink tray with support openings for a white ink well and a white pounce sander. Scalloped edges form handles on both ends of the raised tray and continues along the oblong tray that held pens. Scalloped edges feature gilded edges on white background bordered by a wide cobalt blue band gilt floral decor. The center of the pen tray is white with a pink, blue and white flower motif.
Provenance
James Buchanan
To Rev. Edward Y. Buchanan (brother)
To Lois Buchanan Cassatt (daughter/JB niece)
To Edward Buchanan Cassatt (son/JB great nephew)
To Lois Buchanan Cassatt Thayer (daughter/JB great, great niece)
Large shallow copper spoon with punched holes in center. Handle attached to bowl with two copper rivets. flat at joining, then rounded, tapering out and flattening to end.
