This useful piece of furniture was relatively old-fashioned when purchased by Ninian and Penelope. Following the custom prevalent at Paxton for writing furniture in bedrooms, this one is fitted with a secretaire drawer in the upper half. These were normally fitted in bookcases and desks, rather than chest of drawers for clothing. The drawer opens to reveal a fold-down writing table, pigeonholes for filing documents, and glass inkwells. Ninian would have used this to write letters to his staff and estate managers in Grenada and Scotland, friends and family. The red baize has survived since it was first fitted. Ninian had many pieces of furniture which he could use for writing and filing papers – nearly one for every room in the house.

Chippendale used his 1754 design for a chest of drawers to create this, modernising it with the secretaire drawer. Chippendale’s signature pattern was used to create the secretaire drawer; two stacks of short drawers flanking one long shallow drawer beneath five letter holes, making what was called in Chippendale’s bills a ‘prospect’.

The label on the back of this chest of drawers ‘for Ninian Home Esq. Paxton, near Berwick double chest of drawers nearly new’, indicates that this was not a specially commissioned piece, but an item from stock, perhaps unwanted by another customer, suited however, to Ninian Home’s need for writing furniture.