The bronze-enriched writing-table/bureau plat, conceived in the French/antique manner adopted by George, Prince of Wales in the early 19th Century furnishings of Carlton House, London, is carved with Egyptian-reed bands and inlaid with Etruscan-black ribbons banding festive lion-masks and palm-flowers. It formed part of the furnishings of Longleat House, Wiltshire commissioned by Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath (d. 1837) for the new library created by the architect Sir Jeffry Wyatville (d. 1840). The Marquess, like the Prince of Wales, patronised Nicholas Morel and Robert Hughes of Great Marlborough Street, and this table may have formed part of the furnishings that they supplied around 1808.