The design for these tables is taken from Thomas King’s The Modern Style of Cabinet Work Exemplified, pl. 14, first published in 1829 (A. Jaffer, Furniture from British India and Ceylon, 2001, p.372), although the carved ornament is influenced by local Ceylonese tradition. Ceylonese models are distinguishable from their European counterparts by the introduction of a specimen wood top, decoration unique to the Galle district, and for the absence of a suspended pouch for needlework. Renowned for sophisticated craftsmanship, the inlaying of specimen woods from the Galle district was considered to surpass any specimen of English Tunbridge ware. Early references to these tables appear in the second quarter of the 18th century, but their popularity ensured that they continued to be made into the early 20th century. Such tables were made for British colonists in Ceylon and India as well as for export to England.

A number of comparable tables with similar inlay of exotic woods and ivory are known, including one formerly at the Royal Commonwealth Society and another table which was on view at the Ceylon Court of the Paris Exhibition of 1855. A closely related table was sold Christie’s, London, 31 October 2012, lot 257 (£8,750 including premium)