Bookcase composed of two sections. The upper cabinet has two hinged doors that latch at center. The shelving is adjustable and both doors feature 12 oblong-shaped glass panes and mullions. The lower cabinet has two hinged wood doors that latch and lock at the center; each door features a square recessed panel.
Provenance
Thomas Potter
To - William Morris Meredith
To - James Buchanan
To - Harriet Lane Johnston
To - John Newton Lane
To - James Buchanan Lane II
To - Thomasina Thomas Lane
To - James Buchanan Foundation
Thomas Potter - 2nd owner of Wheatland
Sold to - William Morris Meredith for $75
Sold to - James Buchanan for $75
Bequeathed to - Harriet Lane Johnston
Bequeathed to - John Newton Lane, Harriet's nephew
Bequeathed to - James Buchanan Lane II, John N. Lane's son
Bequeathed to - Thomasina Thomas Lane, James B. Lane II's spouse
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 (cm)
87.15248
Height (ft)
2.8593333333
Height (in)
34.312
Width (cm)
45.72
Width (ft)
1.5
Width (in)
18
Depth (cm)
40.9575
Depth (ft)
1.34375
Depth (in)
16.125
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-04-20
Condition Notes
Reupolstered; James Buchanan Foundation records indicate the seats were originally covered in green morrocan leather.
Object ID
W.1936.001.015
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.)
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.
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.
Cherry writing desk, front of the desk, 4.25" below the top, has piano hinges that allow the top to converts to a writing surface covered with green felt. When closed, the piece serves as a chest with four progressively larger drawers. Both sides have recessed panels and the chest is supported by four vase and ring-turned legs.
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.
Easgles Nest completed conservation on the image and frame.
Height (cm)
36.195
Height (ft)
1.1875
Height (in)
14.25
Length (cm)
6.985
Length (ft)
0.2291666667
Length (in)
2.75
Width (cm)
41.275
Width (ft)
1.3541666667
Width (in)
16.25
Dimension Details
Dimensions are for frame
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-07-21
Object ID
W.1995.015.001
Notes
Based on the pointed waistline of her bodice, this photograph was likely taken in Washington DC while she was the First Lady and before the year 1860. This style was at the height of fashion in the mid-1850s and quickly disappeared in the year 1860, when the straight waistline came into fashion.
Bowfront mahogany veneer chest of drawers in the Hepplewhite style. Four drawers have progressing depths from the top to the bottom, each with overpressed drawer pulls two per drawer. At the top center of each drawer is a brass escutcheon keyhole. The top of the chest and each drawer are decorated with satin wood inlay. Chest is supported at its base by four french feet which feature a slightly outswept bracket foot combined with a valence skirt.
Provenance
Dr. Alexander Speer (James Buchanan maternal cousin)
One of 44 Parisian Pink dinner plates. White with gold laurel leaf border; inside wider band of pink bordered with gold; monogram 'HEJ' and coat of arms (armored upraised arm with dagger) in gold; scalloped edge.
One of 44 Parisian Pink dinner plates. White with gold laurel leaf border; inside wider band of pink bordered with gold; monogram 'HEJ' and coat of arms (armored upraised arm with dagger) in gold; scalloped edge.
One of 44 Parisian Pink dinner plates. White with gold laurel leaf border; inside wider band of pink bordered with gold; monogram 'HEJ' and coat of arms (armored upraised arm with dagger) in gold; scalloped edge.
One of 44 Parisian Pink dinner plates. White with gold laurel leaf border; inside wider band of pink bordered with gold; monogram 'HEJ' and coat of arms (armored upraised arm with dagger) in gold; scalloped edge.
One of 44 Parisian Pink dinner plates. White with gold laurel leaf border; inside wider band of pink bordered with gold; monogram 'HEJ' and coat of arms (armored upraised arm with dagger) in gold; scalloped edge.
One of 44 Parisian Pink dinner plates. White with gold laurel leaf border; inside wider band of pink bordered with gold; monogram 'HEJ' and coat of arms (armored upraised arm with dagger) in gold; scalloped edge.
One of 44 Parisian Pink dinner plates. White with gold laurel leaf border; inside wider band of pink bordered with gold; monogram 'HEJ' and coat of arms (armored upraised arm with dagger) in gold; scalloped edge.
One of 44 Parisian Pink dinner plates. White with gold laurel leaf border; inside wider band of pink bordered with gold; monogram 'HEJ' and coat of arms (armored upraised arm with dagger) in gold; scalloped edge.
One of 44 Parisian Pink dinner plates. White with gold laurel leaf border; inside wider band of pink bordered with gold; monogram 'HEJ' and coat of arms (armored upraised arm with dagger) in gold; scalloped edge.
One of 44 Parisian Pink dinner plates. White with gold laurel leaf border; inside wider band of pink bordered with gold; monogram 'HEJ' and coat of arms (armored upraised arm with dagger) in gold; scalloped edge.
One of 44 Parisian Pink dinner plates. White with gold laurel leaf border; inside wider band of pink bordered with gold; monogram 'HEJ' and coat of arms (armored upraised arm with dagger) in gold; scalloped edge.
One of 44 Parisian Pink dinner plates. White with gold laurel leaf border; inside wider band of pink bordered with gold; monogram 'HEJ' and coat of arms (armored upraised arm with dagger) in gold; scalloped edge.
