This type of Franco-Grecian chair is linked with the architects Henry Holland and the two cabinet-making firms of Morel & Hughes and Mrash & Tatham. Both firms supplied furniture to George, Prince of Wales, for Carlton House and were fashionable amongst his francophile circle of friends. These chairs incorporate distinctive aspects of design found on two different patterns of chair (one after designs by Georges Jacob) supplied to Samuel Whitbread II for Southill under the direction of Henry Holland (F. Collard, Regency Furniture, Woodbridge, 1985, p. 44-45, illustrated). Both Morel & Hughes and Marsh & Tatham were major suppliers of furniture to Southill (see: Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, Leeds, 1986, p. 623, 279). Another very similar set of six chairs with parcel-gilt and grained decoration, originally from Marley House, Devon, was sold by Rivers Carew, Esq., in these Rooms, 25 May 1972, lot 82 and again in Christie's New York, 17 October 1987, lot 65