The decorative scheme of these urns reflects the height of fashion in England in the 1760’s and 1770s, when collectors and artisans were transfixed and inspired by the ‘Etruscan’ style -- a style often linked to Henry Clay, 'Japanner in Ordinary to His Majesty and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales’ who is widely celebrated for his innovation of japanning techniques. This style of japanned decoration can be observed in a table by Clay among the contents of the Etruscan Dressing Room at Osterley listed in an inventory of 1782, described as ’A Pembroke table richly Japanned by Clay' (see Maurice Tomlin ‘Catalogue of Adam period Furniture’, 1982, p. 84, cat.no.J/5, illus.). These urns beautifully illustrate the decorative tastes of 18th century Britain while exemplifying the lauded oeuvre of Clay.