American Empire straight-front sideboard with crotch-grain veneered oblong gallery. The upper front has a shallow overhang with a wide center drawer and two replacement glass pulls. Front also has two end drawers with original spiral cut glass pulls. Below the frieze is a double-door cupboard flanked by single door cupboards faced with crotch-grain veneer with slightly sunk oblong panels, each fitted with brass-keyhole surrounds. The freeze surmounts four turned and reeded pilasters with bull-nose trim along the apron. The piece stands on eight turned legs terminating on bun feet.
Provenance
James Buchanan
To Harriet Lane Johnston
Purchased by Julius Friedrick Sachse at a Lancaster Auction
Bequeathed to Samuel B. Sadtler, Great Grandson to Mr. Sachse
Carved teak(?) 2-pedestal desk of three parts. The two pedestal bases have 3 drawers on one side only & false drawers on the other. Desk section rests on top of bases. Extensive carving over most surfaces: variations of grapes, vines & leaves. Desk section has long center drawer w/ 2 short side drawers; opposing side has matching "dummy" drawers. All functioning drawers are one side only. All drawers have wood pulls. Flanking drawers in bases are tapering pilasters (split columns) with vine and grape leaf carving. Bottom of bases has gadrooned edge with egg-and-dart carving. Both bases sit on 4 bun feet w/ some carving.
Worn finish, with some areas very "weathered/sunbleached", especially lower sections of bases below dummy drawers. Some areas of liquid staining. Desk top also has wear and marring with one chipped corner and a long crack extending in from right end. One drawer pull missing. Drawer slides resurfaced
Object ID
2013.008.017
Notes
A private gift from an acquaintance in India to President-elect James Buchanan. Buchanan used it in the White House.
Place of Origin
India
Credit
Gift of the Family of Eleanor N. Henry (John D. McNeill Jr., Mary Catherine Henry West, James Buchanan Henry IV, and Elizabeth Henry Richardson)
Light tan earthenware sectional spittoon with darker "runny" slip or glaze finish. On bottom is impressed "Eagle Porcelain Works / Lancaster PA / Henry Gast S.Q. ST."
Vol. Greg Ziegler finds 2 possible candidates for donor.
A Susanna "Susan" (Kunkle) Albright lived Feb 1843 - Feb 1925. She was daughter of Jacob Kunkle & Mary Byerly, she married Michael Albright, was widowed and lived in Paradise. She is buried with her brother David Kunkle.
A Susan Albright lived 1856-1925. She was a daughter of Isaac Albright & Levina and lived in Sadsbury Twp. in 1870.
