One of two Louis XVI upholstered armchairs. Both chairs have gilt and bronze beading and foliate ornament décor on their crests, arms, uprights and aprons. All four legs are surmounted by foliate-decorated blocks transitioning to an urn-shape and ring and beaded ball turnings. They transition to reeds in the middle tapering to additional ring and ball turnings that terminate on brass casters.
One of two Louis XVI upholstered armchairs. Both chairs have gilt and bronze beading and foliate ornament décor on their crests, arms, uprights and aprons. All four legs are surmounted by foliate-decorated blocks transitioning to an urn-shape and ring and beaded ball turnings. They transition to reeds in the middle tapering to additional ring and ball turnings that terminate on brass casters.
Rectangular top, green baize-covered (thick, felt-like cloth) writing surface. Ogee-molded edge overhangs crotch-grain skirt with sectioned drawer opening on one long side with two wooden turned knobs. Brackets on top of two legs have rounded medallions,
Set of four Renaissance Revival style side chairs. Top rail scroll curved with tight C-scroll at ends. Finger hole is triangular with arrow point inside. Flat finial hangs from bottom of rail. Stretcher is also curved out with scroll work and bell flower. Front legs turned.
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.
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.
Re-upholstered -date unknown Two had been green velvet and one blue velvet Originally [when owned by Buchanan] chairs were covered in green morocco leather.
One of two soup plates with scalloped edge, 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.
Portrait of James Buchanan Henry in oval frame. Elaborate oval frame with light colored dry brushing. Henry faces the viewer; has long mustache, side parted light brown hair, blue eyes. Family history indicates that this was a self portrait by Henry, whose art career was discouraged by his uncle James Buchanan (the 15th US President).
Benjamin E. Heller received the chair from his maternal grandparents, Eberhard Lamparter and his wife Gertrude Hoffman Weidel. This chair and one matching chair were used in Wheatland and when their condition deteriorated they were given to Miss Shirley who worked at the mansion as a domestic servant. Miss Shirley took the chairs to a family friend, Eberhard Lamparter, who repaired them; his wife, Gertrude Hoffman Weidel decorated the new cushions with needlepoint designs. Miss Shirley gave this chair to the Lamparters as a gift; the Lamparters bequested it to their grandson, Benjamin E. Heller, the donor.
Ca. 1850 maple side chair with foliate carved crest and horizontal splat with floral motif carving along top edge. Back side rails surmount saber back legs. Upholstered cushion is fastened to side rails, back and serpentine-shaped apron with rosette decorative tack nails. The upholstery fabric has floral needlepoint decor with a bird center design.
One of two side chairs that loosely follows the 18th century Louis XVI design. Both chairs have gilt bronze beading and foliate ornament outlines on the back crest and horizontal shaped-splat while highlighting the apron and ring turning of the front legs. The seats are upholstered.
