A rare pre-Federal American backstaff with an ivory maker's plate signed "Made by . C . Eliot . in . New . London . For . Mr. Prentice Peabody . 1768" The arcs and the horizon vane are of indigenous American fruitwood (apple or pear) however the limbs are of ebony indicating that African trade with the colonies had been established, perhaps via Britain. (Private Collection. Photo West Sea Co.)