The eldest of four of Major John Dunlap's (1946-1792) sons to pursue the cabinet trade, Robert Dunlap (1779-1865) was born in Bedford, New Hamphisre where his father had moved in 1777. Robert worked with his uncle, Lieutenant Samuel Dunlap (1752-1830) in Henniker for several years after his father's death and when Samuel moved to Salisbury, Robert returned to Bedford where in 1830 he built the still extant family home. Member of the Grand Jury, Surveyor of Highways and Justice of the Peace, Robert was involved in civic duties as well as his joinery and cabinet trades.

This stand is closely related to five objects owned by descendants of Robert Dunlap. The turned legs of this stand with the multiple thick rings at the top and distinctive turned spheres at the feet are nearly identical to the legs of the tables and stands associated with his shop. Although attributed to Major John Dunlap's son, this stand is more elaborate than any of the objects documented to Robert. The use of cherrywood and the quarter fan and paterae inlays are reminiscent of furniture made by John Dunlap II (1784-1869) of Antrim who had a son Robert N. Dunlap (1813-1861), who is listed as a joiner in the same town (Documented New Hampshire Furniture (New Hampshire Historical Society, 1979), no. 36). The two are not known to have had similar training and Robert N. would have been too young to produce this stand were it made as early as the 1820s; hence the maker of this object was rpobably Robert Dunlap, particularly given the near identical turned legs in relation to his documented furniture. See The Dunlaps & Their Furniture (Currier Gallery, 1970), pp.4-7, 35 and nos. 92-93, 97-99.