Carved with reeds, which band the columnar legs and embellish the 'klismos' uprights, splat 'tablets' and the 'parchment scroll' crest-rails with voluted ends, their George IV 'antique' style derives from Thomas Hope's Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, 1807, and features in patterns published by the upholsterer Thomas King in his Modern Style of Cabinet Work Exemplified, 1829. Although John Hays, 'chair bottomer', of 11 John Street, Manchester, is recorded circa 1808-9, it is tempting to place this set with John Hayes (d. 1835) of Liverpool, whose workshops at 77 or 78 Crosshall Street and shop at 26 Richmond Row flourished from 1827-29.