The form of these cabinets is based on Thomas Chippendale's designs, published in his The Gentleman and cabinet-Maker's Director, 1754-1762. They relate to various designs for 'China Shelves' illustrated in the third edition of 1762, pl. CXLII and CXLIII. Several eighteenth century examples attributed to Chippendale, each displaying this characteristic pagoda cresting, are illustrated in A. Coleridge, Chippendale Furniture, London, 1968, pls. 281-284.