The marbled-top, black japanned and column-flanked commode is conceived in the French/antique or Etruscan manner introduced around 1800, and the pattern of ring-centred baluster derives from an ancient bronze candelabrum stem, such as the connoisseur Thomas Hope illustrated in his Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, London, 1807, (pl. XXII). The Hope pattern, with additional palm enrichments also featured on a related commode-bookcase commissioned by the 1st Duke of Wellington for Stratfield Saye, Hampshire (see M. Jourdain, Regency Furniture, London, 1965, fig. 191).