These exuberantly carved consoles are inspired by the distinctive 'rustic' style popularized by the patterns of the carver and designer Thomas Johnson (1714-c.1778). The use of rockwork and birds in addition to dynamic rocaille carving are found in various patterns from his earliest publications, Twelve Girandoles of 1755, and fifty-two plates published in 1756-58 which were re-issued in 1761 with the addition of one further plate as One Hundred and Fifty New Designs. Designs for a number of pier tables employing these characteristic whimsical animal motifs are reproduced in E. White, ed., Pictorial Dictionary of British 18th Century Furniture Designs, Suffolk, 1990, pp. 269-270, pls. 19-24.