Balloon back walnut chairs with serpentine splat. Louis XV style back is rounded and finger molded with no additional carving. Flaring upholstered seat-black horsehair-with serpentine front with beaded molding at bottom of skirt. Cabriole front legs, rounded, with slightly curved square back legs terminating on flat feet.
Artifacts mentioned by Ara Hatch in New York Dalily Times 11/10/1856. Person had visited Wheatland.
Height (in)
34.312
Width (in)
18
Depth (in)
16.125
Condition
Excellent
Condition Date
2022-11-21
Condition Notes
Reupolstered; James Buchanan Foundation records indicate the seats were originally covered in green morrocan leather.
Object ID
W.1936.001.015.2
Notes
The chair was presumed to belong to James Buchanan by the James Buchanan Foundation representatives in 1936 when they bought certain furnishings that were still in the mansion during the Willson-Rettew Estate sale.
Mentioned by Ara Hatch in the N.Y. Daily Times (visited Wheatland 10 November 1856.)
Sideboard. Heavy, lion-paw feet at front. Free pillars at side with ionic capitals. Bottom 2/3 rounded at front sides with two drawers each side, top one shallower than other with keyhole surround and cut-glass knobs. Two central doors with central panel
Purchased by Frederick Wolf at public sale at Wheatland at time of James Buchanan's death (exact date unknown). Passed to step-grandchild, Mabel Bair, on his death. Purchased by Rorhbaughs in 1974 from estate of Mabel Bair.
Figure of a woman with brown hair wearing an ochre broad-rimmed hat, long-sleeved, full-skirted dress painted blue-green with ochre trim on bodice only, and unpainted pantaloons with black shoes. She is also holding a hankerchief in her right hand and flowers in her left hand. Square plinth with clipped corners is lightly dabbed with tannish-brown. Back side is inpainted.
Inscription inside base is pencilled "PRC".
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx in Pennsylvania during their visits back East from CA. Donation to the Heritage Center.
Moderate soiling and paint loss. Small chips throughout; large loss on back right corner of base. Mended break in the left skirt. Several paint splatters on skirt front.
Object ID
G.98.51.75
Place of Origin
Pennsylvania
Credit
Given in memory of Harpo by Susan Marx, Heritage Center Collection
Large hollow chalkware bird bank has a dove perched on top of a naturalistic base resembling a large block of wood with branch molded in relief at front, painted orange-brown with 2 red berries. This base serves as a coin bank and a large slot if positioned at front between the bird's legs and the branch with berries. Bird and bank base are unpainted except bird has a red and orange beak, red and orange eyes, orange feet and black claws and pupils.
Paper sticker remnant has price written in pencil: "$5.00."
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx in Pennsylvania during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Large hollow chalkware deer with antlers is in semi reclining position on a base resembling a grassy area. Painted brown overall, now darkened with age and soil. Eye and eyebrow painted black.
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx in Pennsylvania during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Moderate soil overall with numerous signs of wear due to scratches and abrasions and chips, such as along base, Back of base has large chip with crack. Antlers appear to have some losses at tips. Multiple areas of paint loss with white or grey showing through.
Object ID
G.98.51.41
Place of Origin
Pennsylvania
Credit
Given in memory of Harpo by Susan Marx, Heritage Center Collection
Large hollow chalkware Spaniel in a seated position on an 8 sided base. Painted tan overall with black spots over fur. Brows, dog tag, pupils and nails are all black. Collar, mouth and nostrils are red. Eyes are ochre. This form is the poor man's equivalent of the exprensive Staffordshire spaniels.
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx in Pennsylvania during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Large hollow chalkware Poodle dog in a standing position on a rectangular base. Unpainted except for black ears, tail, brow and front nails. Also yellow eyes with black pupils and a fed mouth and nostrils. Base painted ochre.
Inscribed inside in pencil is: "$10.00."
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx in Pennsylvania during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Large hollow chalkware Poodle dog in a standing position on a high, stepped, rectangular base. Poodle's left ear is flattened. Largely unpainted except for brown and tail, yellow eyes, red mouth and nostrils, black pupils, collar of red/orange, blue and yellow as well as dot pattern on shoulder and chest. Base painted green.
Inscribed inside in pencil is: "7.50."
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx in Pennsylvania during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
Heavy soiling, wear and paint loss. Heavy chips and scratches. Small chips along bottom edge of base and two large chipped areas at both front corners and left hind one.
Object ID
G.98.51.62
Place of Origin
Pennsylvania
Credit
Given in memory of Harpo by Susan Marx, Heritage Center Collection
Hollow chalkware Spaniel in a seated position on an irregularly shaped base. Head lacks sharp detail and distinct features. Painted black ears, daubed-on spots, brows, nails, and pupils. Brown base.
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx in Pennsylvania during visits back East from CA. Donated to Heritage Center.
