Sheraton-inspired mahogany veneer night table with satinwood inlay accents that outline the apron, drawer and keyhole, as well as the legs. The table top has eight sides and surmounts four saber legs that also support a lower inward-curved shelf.
White cotton pillow sham with white cotton hand-embroidered floral designs in each of the four corners on the top. One end is open. A plain 2.5-inch border is machine-stitched around all four sides with open-work between the border and the sham. Beneath the top border on the open end, a 2-inch tab with 3 buttonholes folds to the back to button onto three cloth-covered buttons to close opening.
Silver dome shaped cover. Silver surface decorated with inscribed floral patterns on both sides of the dome. One one side the floral decor also features the inscribed letters JB.
Provenance
Buchanan, James
To Johnston, Harriet Lane
To Lane, John Newton (nephew)
To Fay, Patty Lane Fay (daughter)
To Sebrell, Patty Lane Fay (PL Fay daughter) To James Buchanan Foundation
Monogrammed white bolster case with 2 seamed edges. 3.5-inch hem at open end. Sewn onto the end is a 3.5-inch ruffle with eyelet design and scalloped edge. Hand-embroidered white-thread initials "LAH" above hem seam near ruffle/opening.
Length is 63 inches with a 3.5-inch ruffle = 66.5 inches total
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2018-06-04
Condition Notes
Some tears; holes/worn threads along lengthwise seam. Recent repair to ruffles & tears with iron-on tape. Also a tape sewn onto part of ruffle edge with sewing machine zia-zag stitch.
Pillow cover. Two-button closure along one end, white eyelet on front and edge of ruffle. Wide ruffle on four sides, scalloped edge, floral design. Front border of eyelet with central panel with rows of leaves and flowers.
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.
