Rococo Revival writing desk. High relief carved arching crest with acanthus leaf motif flanked by matching finials. A cherub relief face with wings in a recessed arch is seen below the crest, surmounting a storage cabinet decorated with more highly carved foliate and scroll motifs along both rails. The cabinet door is decorated with inlaid woods that form a vase with flowers. The writing desk has a fold-down/pull-out writing surface and four drawers that surmount a central drawer and four highly carved foliate and scroll adorned cabriole legs that terminate on casters and are connected by supports to central finials.
Several broken finials and high relief carvings under central cabinet
Object ID
W.1936.008.001
Notes
From the account of Major Andre, who visited Wheatland in 1888, it can be surmised that the escritoire stood in the sitting room or study. This room was located to the left of the front door in the central section of the house.
Oval platter, slightly scalloped edge with coat of arms, white porcelain with double gold bands at border. Gold laurel leaves between coat-of-arms (raised arm with dagger) monogrammed in gold. Manufacture nationale de Sèvres, France. Designed by Jacquel.
One of 44 Parisian Pink dinner plates. White with gold laurel leaf border; inside wider band of pink bordered with gold; monogram 'HEJ' and coat of arms (armored upraised arm with dagger) in gold; scalloped edge.
White linen damask tablecloth. Lengthwise edges are selvedges; widths finished with a 1/8-inch handsitiched hem. Two large medallions with urns on top. Large oval angled on each corner with a flower-filled urn. Wide border of ovals with alternate unrs and flower displays. Embroidered on one corner of cloth is 'HLJ' monogram with Johnston crest of arm and fist with dagger.
One of three linen handtowels. White damask with thinly hemmed edges (c. .125'). Meander border with foliate design and center panels of ivy leaf border, meander dividers, and strawberry vines. 'HLJ' at bottom center in white with pink circle accents.
One of three linen handtowels. White damask with thinly hemmed edges (c. .125'). Meander border with foliate design and center panels of ivy leaf border, meander dividers, and strawberry vines. 'HLJ' at bottom center in white with pink circle accents.
One of two clear leaded glass nut dishes. Octagonal and oblong clear glass dishes with flared sides. Laurel wreath border etched 0.50" below the lip around all eight sides. Monogram 'HE' (for Henry Elliott Johnston) etched at the center base.
Glass is 0.125" thick. All 8 sides angle inward to the base at approximately a 45 degree angle. The base measures 4.125" long by 2.50" wide.
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2022-11-09
Condition Notes
A large chip broken at one corner along lip and fastened back with glue. Some light scatches are visible on the base around the monogram and base edges.
One of twelve linen napkins. White damask with hunting scenes on outside. Stag hunting with horses and dogs. Scene on inner side of napkin is duck hunting. At one corner, embroidered in white is 'HLJ' with the Johnston crest of an arm and dagger.
One of twelve linen napkins. White damask with hunting scenes on outside. Stag hunting with horses and dogs. Scene on inner side of napkin is duck hunting. At one corner, embroidered in white is 'HLJ' with the Johnston crest of an arm and dagger.
One of 16 glass finger bowls. Frosted glass except where clear shield near the upper rolled edge. Shallow bowl with slightly convex bottom on inside. Shield design is etched with an engraved old English letter 'I'. Eight-point star impressed into center of bowl's exterior base.
