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.
Printed black and white tinted portrait (11 x 8.25) of James Buchanan, seated in a green chair with red draped curtain, gold tassle and portion of column behind. Buchanan is attired in a black coat, vest and high-collared shirt with white bow at neck. His cheeks are tinted pink. Centered below: "James Buchanan,/ Fifteenth President of the United States/ Lith. & Pub. by N Burrier 152 Nassau St N.Y."
Vase splat chair, back top rail is faced with a crotch-grain mahogony veneer and is a wide concave cross member with rounded ends, a rolled cresting and scroll-cut lower edge. The top is supported by plain rounded uprights that are a continuation of the square rear legs that have a backward saber curve.
The back is open with a wide urn-shaped splat that surmounts the upholstered, rectangular slip seat. The front rail has a conforming shape to the seat and is supported by the front legs that are flat and shaped in a reverse ogee curve with rounded front edges.
Vase splat chair, back top rail is faced with a crotch-grain mahogony veneer and is a wide concave cross member with rounded ends, a wide concave crest and scroll-cut lower edge. The top is supported by plain rounded uprights that are a continuation of the square rear legs that have a backward saber curve.
The back is open with a wide urn-shaped splat that surmounts the upholstered, rectangular slip seat. The front rail has a conforming shape to the seat and is supported by the front legs that are flat and shaped in a reverse ogee curve with rounded front edges.
Empire mahogany and mahogany veered sideboard. Back glazed gallery in five panels with center larger. Three drawers over pair of swing flame flat paneled doors with side swing single doors. Stiles are diamond shapes, plinth base with turned feet. Tradition is the piece belonged in the home of President Buchanan.
Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Long believe the provenance to be James Buchanan based on the fact that the donor's mother, Mrs. B.F. Lewis Sr., recieved a letter from the James Buchanan Foundation requesting that she consider donatining the sideboard.
Bathrobe/Dressing Gown Belonging to James Buchanan
Description
Silk dressing gown/bathrobe that belonged to James Buchanan. The garment is constructed of fabric with designs of brown, tan and orange on a blue background on the long sleeves, collar and front opening.
Cording trim edges the collar, front opening and hems as well as edges of front slash pockets and sleeves.Three pairs of decorative 'frogs' of cording with ties on front are used for closure. There is a separate thick tie belt of woven cording with tassel ends. Links of cording attached to two covered buttons on both sides are belt loops.
The navy blue silk that lines the garment is machine-stitched to the soft fleece lining.
Provenance
Miss Elizabeth M. Hause of West Chester, PA, daughter of the late Judge J. Frank E. Hause, gave the dressing gown to the Society in Oct. 1940. She included a note penned on Dec. 21, 1920 by Dr. L.T. Bremerman of Downingtown, PA.
"My Dear Judge Hause:
The history of the 'dressing gown' as near as I can glaen, is that it was presented to James Buchanan when he was Minister at the Courth of Saint James, by eith the Chinese of Japanese* Minister.
Prior to his death President Buchanan gave it to Col. J.B.Baker who was related to him. Col. Baker's son J.B. Baker, Jr. gave it to me, and it has always been greatly prized by me. In presenting it to you, on account of its historic relation, to say nothing of the esteem in which I hold your Honor, if you have as much pleasure in its possession as I have in presenting it to you, we are mutually happy. With best wishes and the Compliments of the season, I am,
Sincerely Yours,
L. T. Bremerman"
*Japanese is incorrect.
In pencil, Eliz. Hause wrote: "Dr. Bremerman has been deceased for a number of years."
Lower edge at bottom of right hand sleeve is frayed and torn. (He must have been right-handed since the left lower sleeve shows little damage/wear.) Heavy fraying and wear on the neck edge. Collar is detached from neck edge in back and 10 inches of back center seam is apart, revealing soft fleece lining between outer fabric and navy blue inner lining. Silk separating on lower back lining.
Large dark stain on the center back lining 18 inches above the hem.
Rectangular top inset with brown/black leather. Molded edge, straight flat sides. Two longer sides have two drawers, each with two round concave areas with small knobs at center. Four legs with bun-and-cylinder turned feet. Legs taper down to feet with two buns terminating on the smaller bun foot.
Leaded wine glass with round foot, thickens near stem. Stem is wide near foot and tapers to a narrow shaped stem before slightly flaring wide near base of bowl. Eight faceted. Facets extend up to the bowl of the glass and ends in scallops. Body has slightl flare.
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.
