"Japanned" decoration is a greatly simplified imitation of Asian lacquer work. In colonial America, the production of Japanned furniture was largely, if not exclusively, limited to Boston, where at least ten japanners worked before 1750. Several design characteristics link this example to two of these craftsmen, William Randall and Robert Davis. These include the large figures and animals (note the dog on the third long drawer), the oversized floral ornament (on the center of the second long drawer), long-necked birds resembling cranes (on the first and second long drawers and the skirt), and isolated, rather than integrated, groups of motifs.

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