"[1] At one stage the poet John Betjeman gave the settle to the novelist Evelyn Waugh, and it is now in the collection of The Higgins Art Gallery & Museum in Bedford.

[1] In 1865, Burges wrote, "it is almost impossible for us to conceive the effect of a first-class piece of medieval sacred furniture covered with burnished gilding engraved and punched into patterns enriched with paintings by an artist like Giotto, and glittering with mosaics of gilt and coloured glass.

[1] It is inscribed in Latin "BURGES ARCHITECTUS ME FIERI FECIT ANNO SALUTIS MDCCCLXIX AUTEM ME DEPINCI FECIT APRILIS SALUTIS MDCCCLXX" ("Burges the Architect had me made in the year of salvation 1869 however he had me painted in April of the year of salvation 1870").

[1] The settle featured in photographs published in 1885, taken in Buckingham Street by Burges's brother-in-law, Richard Popplewell Pullan.

[4] Betjeman subsequently gave the Zodiac settle as well as the "Narcissus washstand" and the "Philosophy cabinet" from Tower House to his friend, the novelist Evelyn Waugh.

It is believed Betjeman gave them to Waugh to appease his wife, Penelope, who did not share his appreciation of Gothic Revival painted furniture.

[2] The RCEWA is part of the Arts Council England and advise the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on matters concerning the exporting of objects of national interest.