Serpentine-back, enclosed arm sofa, Louis XV (Rococo Revival), has yellow upholstery, finger-molded exposed frame of rosewood or mahogany and a rounded back crested with central cartouche of high relief carved fruit and leafage. Outline of rounded back slopes down to rounded shoulders that descend and curve back in to arms that enclose the sitter. Low arm rests have upholstered arm pads. Cyma-curved arm supports extend to short cabriole legs at front. Square, curving legs at back. Serpentine seat front and serpentine lower outline of seat frame.
Serpentine-back, enclosed-arm sofa, Louis XV style (Rococo Revival), has yellow upholstery and a finger-molded exposed frame of rosewood. At top of central arch is a raised crest with high relief carved fruit and leafage, flanked by a volute on each side. Frame flows in a continuous line into arched shoulders that dramatically curve and drop to a low arm rest wrapped with upholstery, exposing a hand grip. The front arm support leads to the short cabriole leg; knee with carved shell. Seat front is serpentine and the exposed frame below has a swell at the bottom and is decorated with a thin raised carved strip. Was likely part of the new suite of furniture ordered by Sophie Plitt for retiring President James Buchanan and his niece, Harriet Lane, in 1861.
Walnut rocking chair has caned back and seat. Frame of oval back is finger-molded and is connected to seat frame by two curving legs. Cyma-curve short, low arms connect oval back to seat, with foliate carving at top end. Seat frame is a rounded "D" shape with round outside edge. Ring-turned legs are all connected by a baluster-turned stretcher and sit on rockers with front ends barely extending beyond the front legs.
Majolica tin glazed earthenware dish in shell-like form. Whorl at one end with curving corrugations radiating outward. Dish sides have regular pattern of perforations for drainage. Low footring base. Hand-painted decoration on pale greenish yellow color overall with delicate vining done with delicate brush strokes and daubs of ochre for leaves. Additional decoration of larger scale flowers or flower clusters and a moth-like insect. Dish edges and whorl painted ochre with diagonal stripes.
Underside, within footring, is the famous cockerel mark painted in wispy brush strokes, representing the Cantagalli family factory in Florence, Italy - likely the period when Ulisse Cantagalli succeeded his father in 1878 and started to produce highly decorative Italian ceramics in the Renaissance style. This pottery style was hugely popular at this time in English-speaking countries. Ulisse died in 1901 but his family continued the business.
Provenance: Dish owned by Harriet Lane Joohnston, then descent within family to donor.
Provenance
Plate owned by Harriet Lane Johnston, then descent within family to donor.
Asian Design Compote Owned by Harriet Lane Johnston
Description
Majolica tin glazed earthenware compote. Round dish with serpentine rim mounted on a short pedestal base. Hand-painted decoration is pale greenish yellow color overall with delicate vining branches done with delicate brush strokes and daubs of ochre for leaves. Additional decoration of larger scale flowers or flower clusters and a moth-like insect; Three larger flowers at center. Rim painted ochre as well as bands of ochre on pedestal, along with striping,
Underside of pedestal base has abstract hand-painted mark quite different from the expected cockerel mark, although this dish otherwise matches 2014.002.18. Nevertheless attributed to the Cantagalli family pottery factory in Florence, Italy - likely the period when Ulisse Cantagalli succeeded his father in 1878 and started to produce highly decorative Italian ceramics in the Renaissance style. This pottery style was hugely popular at this time in English-speaking countries. Ulisse died in 1901 but his family continued the business.
Provenance: Dish owned by Harriet Lane Johnston, then descent within family to donor.
Provenance
Compote owned by Harriet Lane Johnston, then descent within family to donor.
Asian Design Sugar Bowl Owned by Harriet Lane Johnston
Description
Majolica tin glazed earthenware sugar bowl. Compressed-round bowl with very short neck and low foot ring. Domed fitted lid with finial of inverted acorn shape. Bowl and lid both hand-painted with decoration on pale greenish yellow color, with faint wispy vining branches done with delicate brush strokes and daubs of ochre for leaves. Additional decoration of larger scale flowers or flower clusters and a moth-like insect. Rim painted ochre as well as a band on pedestal with two stripes.
Underside of base has very stylized hand-painted cockerel mark. This bowl has same decoration as 2014.002.17&.18. Attributed to the Cantagalli family pottery factory in Florence, Italy - likely the period when Ulisse Cantagalli succeeded his father in 1878 and started to produce highly decorative Italian ceramics in the Renaissance style. This pottery style was hugely popular at this time in English-speaking countries. Ulisse died in 1901 but his family continued the business.
Provenance: Bowl owned by Harriet Lane, then descent within family to donor.
Provenance
Sugar bowl owned by Harriet Lane Johnston, then descent within family to donor.
Asian Design Saucer Owned by Harriet Lane Johnston
Description
Majolica tin glazed earthenware saucer. Round plate with center indentation for cup and tiny foot ring. Hand-painted with decoration on pale yellow-green ground color, with wispy vining branches done with delicate brush strokes and daubs of ochre for leaves. Additional decoration of larger scale flowers or flower clusters and a moth-like insect. Edge painted ochre.
Underside of base has very stylized hand-painted cockerel mark. This bowl has same overall decoration as 2014.002.16, .17 & .18. Attributed to the Cantagalli family pottery factory in Florence, Italy - likely the period when Ulisse Cantagalli succeeded his father in 1878 and started to produce highly decorative Italian ceramics in the Renaissance style. This pottery style was hugely popular at this time in English-speaking countries. Ulisse died in 1901 but his family continued the business.
Provenance: Bowl owned by Harriet Lane Johnston, then descent within family to donor.
Provenance
Saucer owned by Harriet Lane Johnston, then descent within family to donor.
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.
Small and round with rope-like design around base of head. Inset in top, mosaic of blue band, white background with central design of beetle, mostly green with orange; black legs, antennae. Only two are found, one missing. James Buchanan Henry owned them
