This elegant type of decorative porcelain-mounted secretaire 'en cabinet', with shelves for the display of flower-vases and porcelain, was popularised in the 1770s by the Parisian marchand-mercier Simon Philippe Poirier (fl. 1742-77). The ribbon-tied flower basket painted on an oval medallion, in the Grecian manner, features, for instance, on a secretaire from King George III's collection that was acquired by Baron Ferninand de Rothschild (d. 1898) (see G. de Bellaigue, The James A. de Rothschild Collection at Waddesdon Manor, - Furniture, 1974, Vol. 1, no. 68). Porcelain-mounted furniture, in the 18th century manner, was sought after by connoisseurs such as John Jones (d. 1882), who bequeathed his collection of French decorative arts to the South Kensington Museum. At this time the striated-panelled leg, as features on this cabinet, was attributed to D. Roentgen (d. 1809), known as 'David' and a supplier of furniture to Marie Antoinette.