The mirrored and panelled doors with hinged opposing side sections, enclosing adjustable shelves, the secretaire drawer with fittings. The architectural design of this cabinet takes direct influence from the work of famed architect William Kent (1685-1748). The Palladian stylistic influence, combined with the high quality mahogany and refined carving suggests an attribution to William Hallett (1707-1781), the eminent cabinet maker who is known to have supplied furniture to Holkham Hall, one of William Kent's finest Palladian architectural commissions. By 1735 Hallett was in premises on Great Newport Street, Long Acre, London and later St. Martin's Lane. William Vile, who was apprenticed to Hallett, John Cobb and Thomas Chippendale all followed in the Palladian style and quality of workmanship of William Hallett.
The present secretaire cabinet was bought privately from Wentworth Woodhouse in the 1950s and bears a pencil inscription to the top of the lower section of the cabinet, which reads 'Lady Mary 1839', the identification of whom is inconclusive but may refer to Lady Mary Wentworth-Fitzwilliam (1810–1893), daughter of 6th Earl Fitzwilliam. Dating to the mid-18th century, the cabinet could have been supplied to Thomas, 1st Marquess of Rockingham (d. 1750), who was responsible for creating Wentworth Woodhouse - the East Front being executed in the Palladian style also. A closely related secretaire cabinet in proportions and design with additional husk carvings could have come from the same workshop as the present cabinet; see The Grosvenor House Art and Antiques Fair Handbook, 2000, pp.120 and 121, Jeremy Ltd.