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
Pencil sketch with white highlights, executed on brown paper, depicting a scene near Turkey Hill, PA. Shows a rocky hill with trees on both sides and a pool with a small waterfall. The title of the scene at bottom center in pencil script is "Near Turkey Hill." Below this is a small window cut into mat showing a white card that reads, in script: "Given J.(F?) D. L. by / Artist 1860." Artist signed in lower left corner of drawing, "W.Sanford Mason / 1854."
Mounted in a natural finish wood frame with peach window mat. Brown paper dust cover on back has sticker at bottom: "The Frame Shop, Santa Rosa, Calif." Small paper clipping taped to back is a synopsis of artist's professional life. It notes that fact that Mason lived in Phila. but made trips into the country in 1854.
H: 19.25 inches x 13.25 inches. Thin natural brown finish wood, peach window mat.
Object Name
Drawing
Material
Paper, Glass, Wood
Medium
Drawing
Height (in)
19.25
Width (in)
13.25
Depth (in)
8.875
Dimension Details
Frame dimensions.
11.5" x 8.75" drawing dimensions
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2016-10-13
Condition Notes
Sketch appears to be clipped in lower right corner. Paper dust cover on back is abraded, punctured and torn.
Object ID
P.94.01.2
Notes
In 1853, Mason married Elizabeth Strickler Weaver of Columbia, Lancaster County. He likely returned to this area from time to time to visit his in-laws.
Signed Name
W. Sanford Mason
Signature Location
Lower left corner
Credit
Acquired through the generosity of the James Hale Steinman Foundation
Figure of a woman with brown hair wearing an ochre broad-rimmed hat, long-sleeved, full-skirted dress painted blue-green with ochre trim on bodice only, and unpainted pantaloons with black shoes. She is also holding a hankerchief in her right hand and flowers in her left hand. Square plinth with clipped corners is lightly dabbed with tannish-brown. Back side is inpainted.
Inscription inside base is pencilled "PRC".
Provenance
Collected by Harpo and Susan Marx in Pennsylvania during their visits back East from CA. Donation to the Heritage Center.
Moderate soiling and paint loss. Small chips throughout; large loss on back right corner of base. Mended break in the left skirt. Several paint splatters on skirt front.
Object ID
G.98.51.75
Place of Origin
Pennsylvania
Credit
Given in memory of Harpo by Susan Marx, Heritage Center Collection
Colored political print or broadside by Nathaniel Currier of New York, depicting James Buchanan and his running mate John C. Breckenridge beneath an eagle and the word "Union." Created for the election of 1855-56. Framed in a natural reddish-brown softwood frame & block corners with cream-colored window mat. Window mat reveal is 12 1/4" high by 8 5/8" wide.
President and Vice-President are depicted in 1/4-length portraits within ovals surrounded with acanthus leaves with their names below them. At top and sides is stage drapery. Above portraits is the American eagle with wings outstretched over U.S. flags and the motto "ONE COUNTRY__ONE CONSTITUTION___ONE DESTINY" above and "UNION" below. Below portraits is a female figure posing with helmet, shield and spear, below which is curling ribbon emblazoned with the words: "THE DEMOCRATS CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT FROM 1857 TO 1861."
Title at bottom reads: "GRAND NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC BANNER/ PRESS ONWARD." Above this in small print is: "Entered according to act of Congress in the (year) 1856 by N Currier, in the Clerk's Office in the Distr. Court of the Southern Distr. of N.Y." Partially hidden by the window mat is "LITHOGRAPH BY N. CURRIER, 152 NASSAU ST. N.Y."
Note: James Merritt Ives was not promoted to partner with Currier until 1857.
Provenance
Acquired from the estate sale of Anne Bausman Woodcock; descended in her family until offered for sale at Conestoga.
Generally good conditon with surface losses (silverfish?) at top right, top center, around Buchanan's face and bottom center through wording. Pressure sensitive tape two inches long visible at bottom left edge. Frame has been refinished and abraded. Recent reframing.
Object ID
P.01.58.1
Place of Origin
New York, New York
Credit
Gifted in memory of Doris Herr by her friends, Heritage Center Collection
