Base wood with torus molding edge. Flat top with deep circular groove in which rests the edges of a tall glass dome. Natural arrangement under dome rests on base. Dried flowers support central mud-daubed bird's nest with light blue, speckled eggs (6) two
Profile of man in a high collar uniform, believed to be Napoleon Bonaparte, cast in chalkware as a framed representation under glass. Rectangular frame has conforming recessed area with cast profile in relief. Old glazing on frame covers image. Chalkware frame is painted dark green with a wire hanging ring imbedded at top center. Profile has black-painted, forward-swept hair with sideburns and pink-rouged cheek. Uniform is of red and black with high red collar and gold epaulette. Created as a memento and sold likely via peddler.
Inscriptions on back in pencil are faint. It appears to be "John M. Snavely/ picked April the 19/ A.D. 1863/ John S(nave)ly." Research reveals a John M. Snavely born 12/17/1843 and died 9/22/1883. 1880 census records him living at home with his farmer parents, Michael and Fannie, and working as a laborer. Obit notes funeral held at Denlinger's Mennonite Meeting House.
Interior profile appears in good condition due to glazing. Outside frame suffers the most with extensive paint loss and significant wear to frame corners. Strong soil on back and other unpainted area.
Object ID
G.04.23.16
Place of Origin
Eastern US
Credit
Gift of Sarah Muench, Heritage Center Collection, LancasterHistory.org
Left earlobe has broken off. Base is chipped. Various smudge marks all over.
Object ID
W.1960.006.001
Notes
James Buchanan Henry inherited this bust when his Uncle James Buchanan died; his cousin, Harriet Lane Johnston inherited the matching bust, which she later donated to the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
James Buchanan Henry bequeathed this bust to his son, Frank Anderson Henry, who donated it to the James Buchanan Foundation in 1960.
Red and green carpet piece in glass frame, note on back. Written on back in ink: "History of an Ingrain carpet purchased in Philadelphia when Nathaniel Ellmaker was a member of the "State Senate." In the year 1794, when the carpet was brought home, it was laid on the floor of the southwest room of the "Ellmaker Homestead" which was built1787, the year Amos Ellmaker was born Feb. 2nd, 1787, seven years before the ingrain carpet was purchased. It was said persons in the neighborhood who had never seen a ingrain carpet would ask if it was put on the floor to walk on. J Watson Ellmaker"
Chest is red-painted poplar. Lid has molding pegged to 3 sides, supported by plain iron strap hinges. Brass escutcheon at keyhole. Wrought iron bail handles on a heart-shaped plate, on each end. A till is at left end of interior.
White-painted platter-shaped panels at each end, two on lid and two on front. Above the painted front panels is a thin, long, white-painted cartouche containing a painted inscription along with geometric floral/star motifs. The inscription reads: "17 BARBARA POTZERIN 95."
On the underside of the lid, left side, is pasted a fraktur measuring 6.5" x 8" showing a woman in a red dress and a man in a pink coat and black pants flanking a text block, with red and blue flowers above.
The fraktur is a "baptismal sponsor's letter form" done with ink and watercolor on laid paper for "Maria Barbarra" Potzer, born March 11, 1768 in Warwick Township, Lancaster County. The central text block expresses good wishes for the child (translation in file)and in the upper left and lower right corners are the names of baptismal sponsors, Maria Barbara Fockt [?] and Jakob Zook [?]. This unusual form was used in the Alsace/Palatine areas, according to Pastor Fred Weiser.
Barbara Potzer was original owner. Maker of the chest is unknown. The fraktur is by the Sussel-Washington artist.
Provenance
Chest was purchased at a sale in Harrisburg in approximately June, 1979, by seller, H. William Koch. It
Multiple large marks and stains on lid, including two blotches of a varnish-stain. Edges are worn, and bits of wood are missing in several areas. Base is separating from the front and sides. The iron hinges are rusted. Top has a long split along grain.
A condition report and treatment proposal for the fraktur were done by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts in Philadelphia in May 1986, but no treatment was done.
Object ID
G.79.103.1
Notes
This is a twin of the "Anna Nislesin" chest (G.95.29.1) except for paint color and feet.
There is a group of several other similar chests (see file).
Place of Origin
Lancaster County
Role
Artist
Credit
Gift of the James Hale Steinman Foundation, Heritage Center Collection
Sketch by Lloyd Mifflin (and Thomas Moran?), "The Bridge at Wrightsville". Gray flecked paper has pencil sketch of landscape with river and bridge in distance. Mounted with homemade window mat of dark gray with line borders around window.
Kraft paper backing has "Wrightsville Bridge" in ink at top right and pencil inscriptions at center reading "acid free linen mat barrier and backing used herein - another Mifflin sketch on back of existing sketch-"
Provenance
Presumed to be inherited from Lloyd Mifflin by the Minich sisters
Thin, w/ molded plaster? foliate decoration on wood, painted black over original gold
Image Size
5 x 7 inches
Object Name
Drawing
Material
Paper
Medium
Drawing
Height (in)
5
Width (in)
7
Dimension Details
Image size. Frame H: 10.625 inches x W: 13.625 inches.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2015-01-27
Condition Notes
Bottom right corner of sketch missing. Old glass in a plaster-molded thin wood frame is painted flat black over original gold. Multiple paint chips. Backing paper perforated especially at top and left side.
Framed matted pastel portrait of Henry Kauffman ready to be hung. Frame has black enamel on edges and on quarter inch of top. Curved (inward) wood grained half inch and one sixteenth inch gold inner edge. One and one quarter inch beveled edge mat. Sticker: "Custom framed at: The Framery, Etc."
