This design by Pugin is one of 16 sheets of designs in the V&A's collections for the ceiling of the House of Lords Library Corridor which was to feature the emblems of English Kings from the Saxons onward. It shows three circles enclosing the initials M, S, and Y. These circles are smaller than those given for emblems in the other preliminary designs for this ceiling, but it is assumed that they are for the initials of the Kings which were intended in this scheme. It is not known how much of this scheme was originally carried out and in 1980 only one section of the Lords Library Corridor had painted ceiling panels.

Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-52) is widely considered as one of the most significant and influential architects, designers and theorists of the 19th century. Following his conversion to Catholicism in 1835, he identified the Gothic style with Christian architecture and his work and writings inspired and framed the Gothic Revival. In 'Contrasts', published in 1836, he condemned classical forms and ardently praised 14th and 15th-century architecture. Pugin is best remembered for his work on the Palace of Westminster.