Duck, Duck...Swan?!

The Craigslist ad said "Duck Head Chairs For Sale".  I was bored  intrigued. "What the heck is a duck head chair?" I wondered?  I clicked on the link and here is what I found...

You cannot tell from the photo but they have brass lion paw feet!

Two for $100!  I looked at the clock...8:00 pm.  I called the number in the listing.  They were still available.

"May I come in the morning?" I asked.  She lived an hour away and I didn't want to come too late.

"Sure!" She replied and gave me her address.

I hung up the phone then picked it up again, "Is it too late to come tonight?" I asked.

"No, come on over."

I jumped in the car in my jammies and Gracie and I headed to Chicago.  An hour and fifteen minutes later we were safely on our way home with our new "duck head" chairs!  I say "safely" because the woman didn't live in the best neighborhood.  The hallways in the building reeked of human urine. I remember thinking "we are going to die" as she closed the iron gate on the elevator!

We made it out.  She was a very nice lady who was down on her luck.  I still pray for her.  I paid $150 for the chairs because I felt bad for her and her situation.

Which reminds me, if you are going to buy something on Craigslist make sure someone knows where you are going.  It really isn't wise to go into an apartment building with someone you don't know.  I always make an odd, awkward segue onto the topic of my husband being a police officer. You just never know!  LOL!

Why was I in such a hurry to buy these you may ask?  Google.  That's why!  I googled the description of the chairs and here is what I found...

"French iron Goose neck folding Empire chairs c1900. This pair of French Empire Goose neck chairs are a decorators delight. They are not only strong but they are comfortable as well. Excellent original condition with bronze claw feet,arm rings and goose head and neck backs. Each chair measures 36 inches to the top of their back,15 and one half inches wide,18 and one half inches to the top of the seats and 14 and one half inches deep Both of these chairs can fold up for easy storage."

The cost?  $1,800!  There are also two sets on 1st Dibs, one has a table and the prices are even higher!  I would call the style Directoire, rather than Empire, though.  What do you think?

I want to change the fabric but I am looking for ideas.  Napoleonic stars perhaps?

*Edit*  I found these Belgian tapestries in Ye Olde Garage.  I was going to make pillows from them but I think they look like they belong on these chairs!  What do you think?