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 three demitasse cups. Inside of cup is lined with gilt decor that extends over the cup's rim. The rim gilding connects to two vertical gilt bands and a band around the base forming a frame around varied handpainted landscape scenes; the cup handle is also gilded. The remainder of the outer body has a solid pink hue.
Nast or Darte Freres factory. Jean-Pierre Feuillet, designer.
Mark applied over glaze, therefore some of the ojects no longer have the designer's signature
Height (cm)
6.35
Height (ft)
0.2083333333
Height (in)
2.5
Depth (cm)
5.3975
Depth (ft)
0.1770833333
Depth (in)
2.125
Diameter (cm)
6.35
Diameter (ft)
0.2083333333
Diameter (in)
2.5
Condition
Fair
Condition Date
2023-04-14
Condition Notes
Inside lip of the cup has a large chip missing.
Object ID
W.1963.002.025
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 Patty Lane Fayer Eldridge as the donor in September 1963. Mrs. James W. Eldridge was the daughter to Patty Lane Fay and the great niece to Harriet Lane Johnston. Patty Lane Fay was daughter to James Buchanan Lane, the first-born to Jane Buchanan Lane, President James Buchanan's sister.
Sheet music for the 'Wheatland Polka- Composed & Respectfully Dedicated to James Buchanan President of the US.' This text has swirly designs around it. On bottom half of this front page, drawing of Wheatland with the words 'Wheatland Home of James Buchan
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.
Shaving stand is comprised of a mahogany veneer; the mirror attached to the top has a veneered bull-nose frame supported by ring and vase-turned stiles set into the top with tenons at a backward cant. The skirt has two half-drawers; however, the brass knob drawer-pulls are missing. The stand is supported by four ring and ball turned feet
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.
Named for its principle use, this mahogany table top, with its oblong top and bead molded edge, was typically found at the side of a bedstead. The table's skirt is three to four inches deep and contains a single drawer that is the full width of the skirt. The drawer has two original brass knob pulls and a top centered brass escutcheon keyhole. The table is supported by four round tapering legs with ring and ball turnings at the top and two sets of ring turnings approximately two inches above the tapered feet of the legs.
Provenance
Alexander Speer, maternal first cousin to James Buchanan
One of two teacups. Inside of cup is lined with gold. Gilt decor forms a wide band on the exterior around the rim that and connects to and covers the handle and a vertical gilt band that connects to the flared foot. The body of the bowl is white with a flower and landscape hand-painted scene.
Nast or Darte Freres factory, Jean-Pierre Feuillet, designer.
Mark applied over glaze, therefore some of the ojects no longer have the designer's signature
Height (cm)
6.35
Height (ft)
0.2083333333
Height (in)
2.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2023-04-03
Object ID
W.1935.010.010
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.
