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.)
Crest of top rail, finger-molded in scalloped shaped. Horizontal splat curved upward, terminating in scroll on each end, thicker at middle. Seat is shield shape, serpentine front. Legs plain cabriole, back legs square and canted. 36.14.3 differs from 36.
Large square brown wool blanket has a line design woven at one end comprised of natural and brown dyed wool. All four sides of the blanket have fringe. Has wide and narrow white and brown stripes across the width of the blanket.
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.
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.
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.
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.
