This side chair is one of two previously owned by William Miller Ellicott of Baltimore. Its features are very characteristic of Philadelphia during the latter part of the eighteenth century. The scrolled strapwork back splat of this side chair, for example, was one of the most popular patterns made in Philadelphia during this time. While the carving on the splat is confined to the leafage at the top and carved volutes flanking the central oval void, the crest is ornamented with crisply carved rope and tassel motifs extending from the deeply scrolled ears across the arch on each side of the central rocaille shell, another favorite element in the Philadelphia carver's vocabulary. The knees of the front legs are also carved in typical Philadelphia fashion with symmetrical acanthus leaves. Although the upholstery has been replaced, both of the chairs in the set retain their original but renailed corner seat blocks.