Skip header and navigation

Revise Search

1 records – page 1 of 1.

Collection
Wheatland
Object ID
W.1936.008.001
  1 image  
Collection
Wheatland
Description
Rococo Revival writing desk. High relief carved arching crest with acanthus leaf motif flanked by matching finials. A cherub relief face with wings in a recessed arch is seen below the crest, surmounting a storage cabinet decorated with more highly carved foliate and scroll motifs along both rails. The cabinet door is decorated with inlaid woods that form a vase with flowers. The writing desk has a fold-down/pull-out writing surface and four drawers that surmount a central drawer and four highly carved foliate and scroll adorned cabriole legs that terminate on casters and are connected by supports to central finials.
Provenance
Harriet Lane Johnston
To - Mary A. Willson
To - Mary E. & George B. Willson
To - Mary Willson Rettew
To - The James Buchanan Foundation
LancasterHistory
Year Range From
1868
Year Range To
1880
Last Owner
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Storage Location
Wheatland, Lancaster, PA
Storage Room
Northeast Bedchamber
Storage Wall
North Wall
People
Johnston, Harriet Lane
Subcategory
Furniture
Search Terms
James Buchanan Presidential Library
Object Name
Desk, Writing
Material
Cherry/Yellow Poplar/Rosewood/Black Walnut
Height (in)
73
Width (in)
46.5
Depth (in)
22.5
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2022-11-19
Condition Notes
Several broken finials and high relief carvings under central cabinet
Object ID
W.1936.008.001
Notes
From the account of Major Andre, who visited Wheatland in 1888, it can be surmised that the escritoire stood in the sitting room or study. This room was located to the left of the front door in the central section of the house.
Place of Origin
USA
Accession Number
W.1936.008
Images
Less detail