Rosewood bed with walnut, poplar, and pine. Headboard higher than footboard, but identical in shape. Arched crest with c-curved finish. This is repeated with molding below and on footboard. Molding is cyma-curved and appears on the outside of footboard and inside of headboard. The top of each post is capped with a round finial that transitions to squat bun above a smooth cylinder above a ring and ball shape that transitions to ring and vase surmounting an octagonal post terminates on bun feet Scroll cut brackets connect the posts to the side rails that feature cyma-curved molding.
Bed is higher at headboard than at footboard. Footboard height is 42.625'.
Condition
Excellent
Condition Date
2022-11-10
Condition Notes
Restoration done in 1992-1993 by David Weaver, cabinetmaker, Quarryville, PA. Restoration of rosewood.
Object ID
W.1992.001.039
Notes
Harriet had this custom built with large dimensions to accomodate her Uncle James Buchanan's size. It was intended for his use whenever he would visit her at her Baltimore, Maryland home.
Rosewood chest of drawers has a white marble top with round-carved front corners surmounting turned columns terminating at bun cyma-curved feet. Chest has three drawers with two bulls-eye shaped wood pulls and a centered keyhole with circular raised trim. Centered on the marble top is a rosewood framed mirror with a serpentine crest flanked by scroll cut shelf brackets.
Copy of painting of Harriet Lane. Brownish-green background, lighter to lower right. Harriet Lane is seated, torso 1/4 to her left, head facing forward. Right hand in lap holding handle of gold fan. Left hand holding white handkerchief resting on table top.
Donor commissioned copy based on original portrait by G. C. Munzig in 1899. Original portrait gifted to Mr. Speer through his aunt, Mary Clarke Speer Denny, who was a companion to Harriet Lane Johnston. This copy was painted by Ted Morrow of Baltimore, Maryland. He also painted two other copies.