Although associated with Queen's Cross Church, Glasgow, 1896-1899, where it was photographed at the back of the chancel, the cabinet was not part of the original contents of the church. Its early history is unknown, except that it was owned at one time by William Davidson, one of Mackintosh's early patrons. Many of its features are comparable to pieces designed for William Davidson during the 1890's and of various designs produced at the time of the Vienna Secessionist Exhibition.

Cf. Thomas Howarth, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Modern Movement, London 1977, pl.71, illustrated in situ at Queen's Cross Church, Glasgow