Robert Adam's Works in Architecture, 1773-9, popularised the fashion for furniture enriched with medallions in the Roman manner. Related golden satinwood and ribbon-framed furniture was executed under Adam's direction in 1779 for bedroom furniture supplied by John Linnell for Osterley Park, Middlesex (M Tomlin, Catalogue of Adam Period Furniture, London, 1982, pp. 92 - 95). Patterns for elliptical satinwood commodes 'enriched with painted or inlaid work' were published in Messrs. A. Hepplewhite & Co.'s, The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer's Guide, 1788 (pl. 78).

A related pair of harewood commodes supplied to the Berens family for Kevington, Kent, was sold anonymously, in these Rooms, 14 November 1996, lot 80.