This elaborately decorated pair of neoclassical ‘demi-lune’ pier tables relate to a group of inlaid marquetry furniture produced by the noted Dublin cabinet-maker William Moore (active c.1782-1815). William Moore learned his trade from the great Golden Square cabinet-makers John Mayhew and William Ince, and there are striking parallels between the output of the two firms. Moore moved to Dublin sometime before 1782 and in May that year placed an advertisement in the Dublin Evening Post announcing that he 'most respectfully acknowledges the encouragement he has received, begs leave to inform those who may want Inlaid work, that by his close attention to business and instruction to his men, he has brought the manufacture to such perfection, to be able to sell for almost one half his original prices' (G. Beard and C. Gilbert, Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, London, ✤1986, p. 622). The advert clearly had the desired effect as business boomed at his Abbey Street and Capel Street premises.

The pier tables are believed to have belonged to the Earls of Grandison, and if indigenous to their estates were likely supplied to George Mason-Villiers, 2^nd Earl Grandison PC (1751–1800). The 2^nd Earl dಞied♏ without sons and thus the title became extinct in 1800.