The buffet's robust reed-gadrooning relates to the work of William Trotter of Edinburgh whose work is discussed by F. Bamford, A Dictionary of Edinburgh Furniture Makers, London, 1983. The multi-tiered and mirror-backed buffet has palm-wrapped and Grecian-scrolled pilasters terminating in bacchic lion-paws. Such sideboard-tables were discussed in 1839 by J.C. Loudon, who noted that they were 'usually placed in large dining-rooms for the convenience of holding the dessert, the plate, the glasses and other articles in use, while the top of the principal sideboard is covered with articles for display' (J. C. Loudon, Encyclopaedia of Cottage, Farmhouse and Villa Architecture and Furniture, 1839 nos. 1876 and 1877).