Portable desk with black lacquer finish and gilt Chinoiserie. Interior consists of multiple shelves and storage areas. Main lid folds down revealing reverse "desk" with inset panel of velvet.
Inkwell made of blown glass encased in square block constructed of 3 laminated layers of cork. Paper pasted onto entire underside of stand reads, "Presented to the Lancaster County Hist. Scty. by Miss Ida V. Lipp. This Inkstand was used by William Lechler in the old Courthouse which stood in "Center Square," Lancaster, Pa."
removed pressure adhesive label "29.37" upon cataloging. Ink residue in glass container. Top and sides dark with ink. Sides and corners worn.
Object ID
1925.037
Notes
It is presumed that William Lechler served in some official capacity in the Old City Hall. Unable to make positive identification through research by volunteer Greg Ziegler, 26 Oct 2017. There is more than one William Lechler. Various items found are:
- "Mr. J. William Lechler of (Lancaster) city" married Harriet H. Boyer. (Intel. Journal, 11 Apr
1866.
- Paid as juror serving in Court of Common Pleas on 16 Oct 1865 (Intel. Journal 4 Oct 1865)
- Paid as constable in 1822.
- Paid as petit or grand juror in 1823.
- Estate inventory 1902, Lanc. (b. 1826)
- There is a tailor in the 1882 City Directory
- There is a cooper who died 1830 in Lanc. City.
Find A Grave has:
- William Lechler b. 8 Sept 1806 d. 9 May 1881 buried in Lancaster Cemetery, plot 728.
- William Lechler b. 1826 d. 1902. Wife is Charlotte. Buried Woodward Hill Cemetery in
Rectangular tray. White porcelain with gold trim, raised pink tray with support openings for a white ink well and a white pounce sander. Scalloped edges form handles on both ends of the raised tray and continues along the oblong tray that held pens. Scalloped edges feature gilded edges on white background bordered by a wide cobalt blue band gilt floral decor. The center of the pen tray is white with a pink, blue and white flower motif.
Provenance
James Buchanan
To Rev. Edward Y. Buchanan (brother)
To Lois Buchanan Cassatt (daughter/JB niece)
To Edward Buchanan Cassatt (son/JB great nephew)
To Lois Buchanan Cassatt Thayer (daughter/JB great, great niece)
Bottom is shallow dish comprised of cast gilt spelter to mimic two overlapping oak leaves with stems and acorns. The two 'stems' hold faceted glass ink wells as acorn tops. The lids of each well are faceted and hinged at metal bands around the neck.
Brown inkwell with a gold design. Six holes at top, one has a cork in it. Another hole has two strings hanging out (one with a piece of cork attached). Long black ink pen accompanies the inkwell.
