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
Balloon back walnut chairs with serpentine splat. Louis XV style back is rounded and finger molded with no additional carving. Flaring upholstered seat-black horsehair-with serpentine front with beaded molding at bottom of skirt. Cabriole front legs, rounded, with slightly curved square back legs terminating on flat feet.
Artifacts mentioned by Ara Hatch in New York Dalily Times 11/10/1856. Person had visited Wheatland.
Height (cm)
87.15248
Height (ft)
2.8593333333
Height (in)
34.312
Width (cm)
45.72
Width (ft)
1.5
Width (in)
18
Depth (cm)
40.9575
Depth (ft)
1.34375
Depth (in)
16.125
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-04-20
Condition Notes
Reupolstered; James Buchanan Foundation records indicate the seats were originally covered in green morrocan leather.
Object ID
W.1936.001.015
Notes
The chair was presumed to belong to James Buchanan by the James Buchanan Foundation representatives in 1936 when they bought certain furnishings that were still in the mansion during the Willson-Rettew Estate sale.
Mentioned by Ara Hatch in the N.Y. Daily Times (visited Wheatland 10 November 1856.)
Cherry writing desk, front of the desk, 4.25" below the top, has piano hinges that allow the top to converts to a writing surface covered with green felt. When closed, the piece serves as a chest with four progressively larger drawers. Both sides have recessed panels and the chest is supported by four vase and ring-turned legs.
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.
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.
Empire mahogany and mahogany veered sideboard. Back glazed gallery in five panels with center larger. Three drawers over pair of swing flame flat paneled doors with side swing single doors. Stiles are diamond shapes, plinth base with turned feet. Tradition is the piece belonged in the home of President Buchanan.
Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Long believe the provenance to be James Buchanan based on the fact that the donor's mother, Mrs. B.F. Lewis Sr., recieved a letter from the James Buchanan Foundation requesting that she consider donatining the sideboard.
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)
Seven 4" x 3" color paintings of pairs of seven different birds. Paintings have white backgrounds and are mounted on pale yellow fabric.
Date Range
1840s
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
Island 5
Storage Cabinet
Unit 46
Storage Shelf
Shelf 4
Object Name
Picture, Animal
Object Names
Water Color Bird Paintings
Material
Fabric, paint
Height (cm)
46.355
Height (ft)
1.5208333333
Height (in)
18.25
Width (cm)
50.8
Width (ft)
1.6666666667
Width (in)
20
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-08-04
Condition Notes
Decorative fabric tape on frame's front is soiled and torn in spots. Backer paper is torn along upper sides and corners. 4 of small paintings appear to have shifted: Lower right painting is crooked and painting in center on right is angle down.
Object ID
W.1938.004.002
Notes
These paintings are done on small oblongs of bamboo pith painted with heated paint with small brushes (perhaps only two or three hairs). The heated paint on the bamboo gives the raised effect that looks like embroidery.
Framed by The James Buchanan Foundation in 1938. One of a series of three.
Linen edging around pale red painted frame. Adhered within frame on a cream colored fabric are 8 small watercolor paintings (approx. 4.125 inches x 3.125 inches) of Asian sailing vessels.One of three framed by The James Buchanan Society.
Date Range
1840s
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
Island 5
Storage Cabinet
Unit 46
Storage Shelf
Shelf 4
Object Name
Seascape
Object Names
Junk Sailing Vessels
Material
Wood, paper, glass
Height (cm)
46.6725
Height (ft)
1.53125
Height (in)
18.375
Width (cm)
50.8
Width (ft)
1.6666666667
Width (in)
20
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2000-08-10
Condition Notes
Frame is worn. Most paintings are excellent.
Object ID
W.1938.004.001
Notes
Small oblongs of bamboo pith on which are Chinese figures, boats and birds. They are painted with heated paint with a small camel hair brush (perhaps only two or three hairs.) The heated paint on the bamboo gives the raised effect which looks like embroidery.
Linen edging around pale red frame. Adhered to a cream colored fabric within frame are eight (4 inch x 3 inch) watercolor paintings. 5 sets of Asian men (1 enthroned in middle) and 3 sets of women in Asian dress, mostly upper class.
One of three framed by The James Buchanan Society in 1938.
Date Range
1840s
Storage Location
LancasterHistory, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
DAC
Storage Wall
Island 5
Storage Cabinet
Unit 46
Storage Shelf
Shelf 4
Object Name
Picture
Object Names
Paintings of Asian Men and Women
Material
Fabric, Wood
Height (cm)
46.6725
Height (ft)
1.53125
Height (in)
18.375
Width (cm)
50.8
Width (ft)
1.6666666667
Width (in)
20
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2000-08-10
Object ID
W.1938.004.003
Notes
Painted Asian people on small oblongs of bamboo pith. They are painted with heated paint with a small brush (perhaps only two or three hairs). The heated paint on the bamboo gives the raised effect that looks like embroidery.
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.
Cartouch-shaped top of beige/yellow marble; out-rounded corners, serpentine sides; concave/rounded edge. Valanced skirt, also serpentine with carved medallions, on each of four faces with 'C' and 'S' scrolling and foliate motif. Cock-beaded molding around lower edge of skirt. Pedestal has an urn shape with cock-beaded molding with a round finial. Four incurved, shaped and carved cabriole legs terminate in small scrolled feet with casters.
Marble base is doubled, smaller chair on top of larger. Metal band separate them, molded in foliate design. Column is two-toned metal with marble-vein design, slightly tapering. Oil reservoir above is shaped like a top and has eleven sets of crystals hanging from the edge of the reservoir.
Stove Top hat, black with brim turned up greatly on sides, down front and back. Thin black grograin ribbon above brim. Crown tapers in, then out again slightly. Made by Schultz & Brothers, Lancaster, PA.
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)
Silk upholstered rosewood Belter chair. Highly carved crest with fruit and leaf motif. Chair has a curved solid back framed by an elongated scroll. Upholstered seat has a serpentine apron, cabriolet legs terminating in casters.
