The 'cabriolet' library chair is carved with a triumphal palm trophy on its rail, while its Roman-medallion back alludes to the triumph of lyric poetry with its 'Apollo' sunflowered patterae enclosed in a rayed and scalloped frame. The composition, derives from an engraving of the sun deity's Temple, illustrated in R. Woods, Ruins of Palmyra, 1753 and relates to a chair pattern introduced around 1780 and popularised by Messrs A. Hepplewhite & Co, The Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer's Guide, 1788, pl. 6. A design of about 1785/90 for the 'New Catherine wheel' chair features in Gillows Estimate Sketch Book, now preserved in the City of Westminster Archives (L. Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800, Royston, 1995, fig. 269 & p. 176).

An armchair of this pattern was sold by Lord Elphinstone, in these Rooms, 14 July 1994, lot 77. A set of related cabriole-legged chairs was sold by the Executors of the late Mrs. Robert Tritton, Godmersham Park, Kent, Christie's house sale, 6-9 June 1983, lot 525 and a single related example was sold anonymously in these Rooms, 8 July 1993, lot 18.