The poor condition of the drawing suggests that it has been in its pretty, gilded frame for most of Soane's lifetime and afterwards. After a discussion with Professor du Prey (February 2009), it seems probable that the drawing was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1781 as a 'Design for a doghouse', for though it does not have the appearance of a drawing made for exhibition - the labelling and notes are informal and the plan larger and more prominent than the elevation - it shares the same palette and watercolour treatment as two other drawings exhibited in 1781. Namely a design for a 'Mausoleum ... for the Lord Bishop of Derry' and 'plan and elevation for a hunting casine' see Soane's early works, 1770-1785: Downhill: County Derry, Northern Ireland: mausoleum for Lord George Hervey, 2nd Earl of Bristol (died 1775) for Frederick Hervey, Bishop of Derry and 4th Earl of Bristol, c. 1778-1781 and Soane's architectural education ... : Alternative designs for a (hunting) casino.