Extremely large Japanese porcelain bowl. White ground with blue decoration. Footed with sea waves on base and three rows of slanted lines on neck of base. Outside of bowl has cranes and bamboo depicted in white with blue ground color.
This bowl was presented as a gift of state to President Buchanan in 1860 by the Japanese delegates representing the Tokugawa shogunate government. The bowl was created by Jihei Kawamoto as one of two bowls for sake. It reflects the Emperor's personal symbol and his regard for James Buchanan marking a new and firm friendship between Japan and the United States.
Provenance
Following the assasination of Abraham Lincoln, Mrs. Lincoln marked the bowl as an item to sell to pay for some of the debts she was struggling under. Her friend and advisor, George Riggs advised her not to sell the bowl. He made her an offer for the bowl and she sold it to him. Mr. Rigg's daughter, Jane, inherited the bowl and eventually bequeatherd it to Miss Mary F. McMullen who in turn bequeathed it to Mr. J.B. McMullen. A distant relative of James Buchanan, Mr. Wylie Buchanan, purchased the bowl from McMullen and donated it to the Wheatland collection in 1960.
Belonged to James Buchanan as President. Left white house sometime after and was in possession of Geo. Washington Riggs by mid-May 1865. Remained in Riggs family until 1930 when given to a family servent Mary McMullen.
$500 Scholarship certificate from Franklin and Marshall College issued to Andrew Bausman, signed by James Buchanan as President of Board of Trustees, J. M. Long as Treasurer, and Thomas C. Porter as Secretary. Dated June 20, 1864.
"No. 6" at top with "Scholarship" above a photo of college buildings flanked on left with the face of Franklin and Marshall on the right. "Franklin and Marshall College/ Second Series." is printed below.
Thin white mat does not appear to be acid-free. There are some ripples on the upper right of the scholarship paper and a small tear on upper edge, right of center.
On front, James Buchanan written along the top above a heatshot engraving of James Buchanan. Beneath the portrait, "IN GOD WE TRUST/15th President/1857-1861". On back, Statue of Liberty, showing top half only. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" written alongside the outer edge of the back of the coin. Underneath arm holding torch is "$1". "DE" inscribed in tiny letters on the cover of the book the Statue of Liberty is holding. Copper colored edges. "E PLURIBUS UNUM" inscribed on edge. "2010 P" and 13 stars also inscribed on the edge.
On front, James Buchanan written along the top above a heatshot engraving of James Buchanan. Beneath the portrait, "IN GOD WE TRUST/15th President/1857-1861". On back, Statue of Liberty, zoomed in to show only the top half of the statue."UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" written alongside the outer edge of the back of the coin. Underneath the arm holding the torch is "$1". "DE" inscribed in tiny letters on the cover of the book the Statue of Liberty is holding. Copper colored edges. "E PLURIBUS UNUM" inscribed on edge. "2010 P" and 13 stars also inscribed on the edge.
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.
Oval picture in rectangular frame with velvet backing. Buchanan facing almost front, dark suite, white tie. Back of frame 'Daguerreotype presented to President Buchanan by J. Henry Brown-1851'
Daguerreotype of James Buchanan. Gold frame with blue velvet. Note in typescript on back: Daguerreotype presented by President Buchanan to J. Henry Brown - 1851.
Provenance
Photographs from the James Buchanan Foundation institutional archives.
Deed to Wheatland on parchment. Indenture for purchase of Wheatland by James Buchanan from William Meredith and Catherine Meredith. Dated December 2, 1848 with seal of William Meredith and of Catherine Meredith. Not signed by James Buchanan. Some fold marks and stain
Conservation proposal by Lancaster Galleries (Fine Art, Custom Framing, Restoration) June and July 2001. Quote to suface clean, mount, glaze to prevent fading, and seal.
