Lady's drawing room writing-cabinets, veneered in exotic woods and of the form named 'Devonport' after its inventor, were manufactured in the 1820s by William Dalziel (d. 1839) of Bedford Row, London, and inspired the two patterns provided by John Loudon in his Encyclopediae of Cottage, Farm and Villa Architecture and Furniture, London, 1833, figs. 1945 and 1946. A closely related writing-cabinet with the same patterned handle fitted to the gallery was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 29 June 1978, lot 129