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This is the chair made for the 1881 National Eisteddfod held at Merthyr. The tall back has acorn finials and features a prominent Mystic Mark in the crest rail, to be seen above the bard's head, which is repeated in three inverted turned spindles below. The throne-like proportions are enhanced by goats' heads on the front of the arms.

The maker of this chair is believed to be the poet, Nathan Dyfed (Jonathan Owain Reynolds) as his name and the date 1881 are carved on the back. He lived in Merthyr at the time where he worked as a cooper. He was also a craftsman of words and had won over 100 prizes in different eisteddfodau. This may be why he used the bardic script to carve the Gorsedd mottoes on the back slats. The chair was won by Evan Rees (Dyfed) who won many times. He also won £21 with the chair. He was Archdruid from 1905-23.