The small shield and crest which have been carved later on the upper part of the panel back are those of the Shakespeare family of Stratford-Upon-Avon; between these are inscribed the intials WAS (for William and Anne Shakespeare) in a spurious Gothic script. A number of chairs are known to have been attributed to the Shakespeare family. In this instance the initials and crest are likely to have been added in the 18th century or early 19th century, but of course the chair itself post dates the death of Shakespeare.