Fabricated from wood, leather and brass; like many residential bellows it is decorated. This one has a hand-painted compote with fruit and foliate décor on a black background.
The brazier brazier is an iron grate with five horizontal bars on the front and elevated above the hearth of the fireplace with a flat iron frame decorated with low-relief tall urns with reeded bodies and acanthus foliate. The elevation aids in the circulation of air, feeding oxygen to the fire.
Framed rectangular needlework, top crest slightly scalloped with hand grip. Inner frame edge scalloped. Needlework picture: Parrot in red, gold, blues, cream, small silver bead for eye, sitting among flowers including red, white, pink, roses, blue mornin
Provenance
Alexander Speer (James Buchanan's maternal first cousin)
Black cast-iron firebacks. Two sides curved out. Six repeated panels of foliate-like design. Two shorter front side panels also have small wreath molded above.
Stand: Wrought iron, scroll and foliate design. Finger hold at top, two curved arms to hold tools six inches below finger hold at top. Long, thin support has stylized leaf motif. Base is features a molded high relief foliate design.Support attached to base with a nut and bolt fastener. Shovel: Long thin round and straight arm topped with brass handle in spool-turned graduated style with knob at end. Arm is flared and curved to attach at the shovel, which is thin an flared at the mouth. Tongs: Double arm, round at bottom, flared and flattened into disks. Top of arms curved where attached to handle at central brass knob; one arm is on pivot, the other stationary. Brass handle in spool turned style with acorn knob motif at end.
American Empire brass andirons date to c. 1847-1850. The brass uprights feature small elongated ball-shaped finials with ring-turnings. The top finials surmount larger elongated ball-shaped finials with ring-turnings that surmount octagonal-shaped columns supported by raised scroll bases on ball feet and a wrought iron back for holding logs.
Oval-shaped black cast iron stove with hinged doors on opposing long sides with latch at back and front that opens to the oven compartment (upper portion of stove); small hinged door with latch at left side (with smaller latched vent at bottom) to reach fuel compartment (bottom area).
Made by Margaretta Furnace, Henry Slaymaker, owner.
Provenance
Margaretta Furnace
to York Sheriff's Office
to James Buchanan (purchased at 1842 Sheriff's Auction)
