The mid-19th century was not dominated by a singular popular furniture style, but was instead defined by the prominence of several different styles all at once, sometimes even mixed in a single piece. Styles popular earlier in the century, such as Grecian and Elizabethan, continued to be featured prominently, but were joined by a host of revival styles, including Gothic and Rococo. Overall, the design of these chairs appears to be an eclectic, yet understated amalgamation of several concurrently popular styles, as well as a precursor to styles that would become popular in the following decades. Various elements of the chairs incorporate features of the styles previously mentioned, and other components even prefigure the designs of George Hunzinger as well as the Japanese inspiration that was so popular in the 1880s.

While the maker of these chairs is not known, a nearly identical design appears in the 1858 trade catalogue of New York furniture dealers Foster & Lee, who were active in the mid-19th century. The chairs are made of solid rosewood and appear to retain their original finish.

Related examples: Brooklyn Museum and Metropolitan Museum of Art.