The rectangular top of the commode is centred by a circular panel of burr-yew-wood on a rosewood ground banded in satinwood and within a cast brass moulded border.
The frieze is inlaid with brass ovals on a purpleheart-wood ground above three long drawers veneered with rosewood with burr-yew-wood spandrels banded in purpleheart, boxwood and satinwood and with gilt-brass chased handles.
The sides are ormolu-mounted with rams heads, swags, leaves and beads; it sits on hoof sabots, 90cm by 110cm, depth 62cm.
The 1763 Burghley Inventory records: ‘the bed chamber, 2’d George Room…….1 Entarsia chest of drawers.’
The 1804 Burghley Inventory records: ‘State Bed Room…an Inlaid Chest Drawers mounted Orr Molu & leather cover.’
In 2000, a ‘scorched’ leather case cover, exactly fitting this piece of furniture, was discovered in a storage area. It has been conserved and re-united with the commode.
