From one 10" wide by 14' long by 3"thick board of Mahogany I wanted to build a pair of side chairs based on a design by John Townsend, the famous furnituremaker from Newport, RI in the mid to late 18th century.  The design is taken from plate 11 in "John Townsend: Newport Cabinetmaker."  These chairs have turned stretchers, ball and claw front feet, a pierced back splat, and a seat for which it is named-a compass, or balloon, seat.  The seat has a slipseat upholstery and the chairs are finished with oil and shellac.