With the wide tablet that extends over the stiles, this model follows more closely ancient prototypes than the more common model of New York chairs with spread-wing eagle stays (see B.69.87.1–.2). The placement of the legs, set back from the front seat rail, is an unusual feature, as is the combination of spread-wing eagle and cornucopia on the stay rail.

Technical notes: Mahogany, mahogany veneer; ash (front and rear seat rails, slip seat side rails), white oak (slip seat front and rear rails).

Related examples: Tracy and Gerdts 1963, no. 40, has a similar scrolled tablet top. Others have eagles and cornucopia: Anderson Galleries, New York, Lawton sale 2214. January 6–7, 1928, lot 42; Sack 1969–92, vol. 7, p. 1974, no. P5231, vol. 2, p. 444, no. 1108 (similar set-back to legs).

Book excerpt: David B. Warren, Michael K. Brown, Elizabeth Ann Coleman, and Emily Ballew Neff. American Decorative Arts and Paintings in the Bayou Bend Collection. Houston: Princeton Univ. Press, 1998.