Porcelain china compote with hand-painted landscape scenary on outer body of the bowl. Acquired by James Buchanan while serving as Secretary of State from then outgoing French Ambassador, Louis Adolphe Aimé Fourier, comte de Bacourt.
Nast or Darte Freres factory. Jean-Pierre Feuillet, designer.
Provenance
French Ambassador, Louis Adolphe Aimé Fourier, comte de Bacourt
Mark applied over glaze, therefore some of the ojects no longer have the designer's signature
Height (cm)
13.97
Height (ft)
0.4583333333
Height (in)
5.5
Diameter (cm)
25.4
Diameter (ft)
0.8333333333
Diameter (in)
10
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2023-03-31
Condition Notes
Some thinning of decorative paints, chipping, broken.
Object ID
W.1935.010.001
Notes
In 1995 the JBF staff assigned the Object ID W.95.69.2 to this Compote as a FIC probably because original paper records were not found.
In March 2023 the paper file has been found that identifies Lois Cassatt Thayer as the donor in 1935. Mrs. Thayer was the daughter to Alexander Cassatt and his wife, Maria Lois Buchanan Cassatt. Maria Lois Buchanan was the daughter to Rev. Dr. Edward Y. Buchanan, the youngest sibling to President James Buchanan.
The stoneware mug's body is predominantly white surmounted with a wide green band that is outlined with narrow gilt bands. The handle is also white and outlined with similar gilt bands.
J.W. Pankhurst & Company, Charles St. & Old Hall St
This frog doorstop serves as an iconic symbol of James Buchanan's attachment to his favorite spring at his Wheatland farm, and was donated because it was an appropriate piece.
Known as a box or lap coffee mill. The iron handle has a wood knob; when turned the handle activates a round burred grinder inside the metal hopper. The ground roasted beans collect in the small wood drawer at the base.
Clear molded glass cruet with raised fluted ribs from the neck down to the base surmounted by a 1.00" bulbous neck, reducing to a 0.5" diameter spout. Curved clear glass handle is applied to one side.
Lignum vitas wood caster with round, bowl-like top, pierced for shaking out pounce. Base is ring-turned tapers smaller to broad top, flat bottom. Small, shallow dotted pattern in two bands near bottom. Lip at top has thin groove. Top screws onto base that would be filled with pounce, which is a fine powder made from powdered cuttlefish bone. Pounce was used both to dry ink and to sprinkle on a rough writing surface to make it smooth enough for writing.
Esther 'Hetty' Parker, James Buchanan's housekeeper, chose this among several other household items that Buchanan noted she was to be allowed to choose after his death. Miss Hetty gave this to the daughter of her neighbor. Miss Steckman donated this to the Wheatland collection in 1938.
Covered originally in red velvet with woven gold thread tape at edges. Four plain bracket feet. Flared cushion at bottom. Top of cushion worked in needlepoint- red and white trumpet flowers, leaves forming wreath around white cloth draped cross. Possibly Italian.
Lithograph- Print of Prince Albert from Painting by F. Winterhalter; black ink, oval background. Prince Albert- body is 1/2 to his right, head is 1/4 to the right, looking forward. Wearing military dress with medals. Signed 'Albert'
F. Winterhalter painted the original. J. A. Vinter, engraver. Day & Son, lithographer.
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.