The golden table top is inlaid with a poetic trophy comprised of an 'Apollo' sunflowered octagon compartment derived from the sun deity's temple illustrated in Robert Wood's, Ruins of Palmyra, 1753. Apollo's triumphal role as poetry deity is evoked by laurel sprigs suspended from a beribboned veil festooned from a richly striated ribbon encircling the central medallion. The work-table is fitted with a circular tablet, with spring release concealing a well compartment, probably for needlework.

The table, with its columnar and hollowed-capital legs tied by stretcher-tray for a basket, corresponds to another 'Apollo' table that is inlaid with medallions celebrating the deity's role in leading the Seasons. Like the latter it is likely to have formed part of the original furnishings commissioned by William Berners following his building of Woolverstone Hall, Suffolk in 1776 (Frank Partridge, Inc. Exhibition, New York, 1957, and Y. Hackenbroch, English Furniture in the Irwin Untermeyer Collection, London, 1958, fig. 261; sold Christie's New York, 26 June 1982, lot 157).