An early design for this type of library chair can be seen in P. Agius, Ackermann's Regency Furniture and Interiors, Marlborough, 1984, p. 81, pl. 63, where it is described as a Carlton House chair 'from the ware-rooms of Messrs. Morgan and Sanders of Catherine Street Strand'. The design was popularised by J.C. Louden in 1833 and continued to be used by W. Smee and Sons in 1850.
A similar pair of armchairs was sold anonymously at Sotheby's London, 15 November 1996, lot 109.