Made of heavy silk brocade. Blue background with beige and red colors in paisley design. Multi colored cording around collar, cuffs, pockets, and front. Lined in navy blue silk and batting quitled in diaper pattern -- machine stitched. Cording also used for front closre between collar and pockets; three pairs of corded loops anchored by an ornate triangular design of sewn cording with a mesh covered, barrel-shaped wooden button to hold the cord loop from the opposite side. Tassel belt. Inside back has band that can be adjusted/gathered. Two fabric covered buttons with cording at outside side seams for loops to hold the corded belt.
Textile is very fragile and is ripping in some areas. Ed 12/20/2016, VAP. Some stains, wear on lower edge right sleeve. Heavy wear at neck. Center back seam apart. Collar separating from neckline. Left side seam open.
Object ID
W.1940.012.001
Notes
Presented to James Buchanan by Chinese or Japanese Ambassador while Buchanan was Ambassador in England.
Silk evening gown. Cream water moire. Full skirt, longer train at back. Bodice has wide, plain, open neck. Small cap / puff sleeves. Sleeves are short with 2.0' lace hanging from edges. Bodice comes to a 'V' at front and back. Boned. Thin, cordlike lacin
2-22: Off-shoulder bodice, peak at center front waist. Back closure. Name of Paris designer (Henriette Tissier, 17 Rue de Rome, Paris) printed in green on white ribbon attached with cross stitches. 10-inch stays in bodice front. There are underarm stays as well as 3 shaped stiffening pieces within the hemmed edges of both sides of back opening. 10 finished holes for lacing along lengths of both back edges.
Bodice is one of three pieces (1 skirt & 2 bodices) constructed of same fabric. Purple silk contoured garment. Front opening with 11 thread-covered globe buttons on left front. Corresponding .75-inch slit buttonholes on right front. A twelfth buttonhole is bent over. 4 bands of purple ribbon (with white stems and leaves) sewn across the front with 1.5 inches between each on front and back. 4 lower sides are 5-inch openings. Ribbon and fringe trim is mitered at these corners. Cent back ends in a point box pleat. Lower fringe around the bottom is 2-inch dark purple.
Provenance
Said to have been worn to James Buchanan's inauguration.
11/17/2022: Poor; Without sleeves (raw edge); no collar or neckline finish; two pieces cut out of lower front portion of garment, 2 front darts have been let out; spots, underarm stains; back contour seams let out, raw edges on trim revealed. Dark contrasting running stitch thread standing out on outside fabric indicates alteration.
White and pale pink collar. Net made of six rows of shirred netting running horizontally with drawstring at neckline for fit. Nine garlands of pale silk apple blossoms (?). Approximately 6' in length and approximately 5' apart. Attached vertically. Entir
Wedding wreath and veil - green, pink, and white colors. Wreath consists of silk roses with yellow centers. Buds of kidskin. Bunches of bridal wreath flowers and buds. Another bunch of slightly larger flowers is perhaps orange blossom. Veil is circular.
Oblong shaped walnut veneered container with a back-hinged lid, beveled shape raised central flat area carved with egg-bead molding. Brass 8-point star bail handles are on each end; one handle missing. Brass round keyhole escutcheon is centered on the top front façade of the box with egg & bead molding around the base surmounting four flat-bun shaped feet. Interior features two boxes with back hinged lids as storage compartments for tea leaves. In the center is a circular aperture lined with felt holding a star cut glass mixing bowl to blend tea leaves.
American Rococo Revival Walnut Sofa. The serpentine back centered by a rose and shell scrolled carved crest, the back joined to closed arms, with a serpentine apron and raised on cabriole legs terminating in casters, silk velvet upholstery.
Left earlobe has broken off. Base is chipped. Various smudge marks all over.
Object ID
W.1960.006.001
Notes
James Buchanan Henry inherited this bust when his Uncle James Buchanan died; his cousin, Harriet Lane Johnston inherited the matching bust, which she later donated to the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
James Buchanan Henry bequeathed this bust to his son, Frank Anderson Henry, who donated it to the James Buchanan Foundation in 1960.
Page 192 of "Gleason's Pictorial Drawing-Room Companion" from 1854. Includes an article on James Buchanan with images of him as Minister to England and of Wheatland. Also includes musings on "What is the hardest mode to die?"
An oyster shell-shaped serving dish. Made from a hard-paste porcelain china manufactured at the Sèvres factory in France. Decorated and sold by Haviland, the decor consists of maroon and gilt boarders on a white background, gilt rings and highlights.
Provenance
Johnston, Harriet Lane
To - cousin, Riddle, Katherine W.
To - sister, Riddle, Anna S.
To - cousins, Coe, Sara W. & Coe, W. Travers To - Murphy, Elsie B. of Charles Town, W. VA. To - Governor's Mansion Virginia by Ms. Murphy's sister, Fletcher, Mrs. Robert.
