Mary Moser was the daughter of the Swiss painter, George Michael Moser (1706-83), who arrived in Britain in 1726 and worked for the King. Both father and daughter were founder members of the Royal Academy; Mary Moser specialised in flower painting, but also executed literary subjects.

In 1792 Queen Charlotte acquired Frogmore House in the immediate vicinity of Windsor Castle and commissioned James Wyatt to extend it. One room added as part of this scheme – the South Pavilion – was entirely decorated with flower paintings by Mary Moser (some on canvas and some painted directly upon the wall) at a cost of over £900.

This canvas may have formed part of the 'Mary Moser Room' at Frogmore where it hangs today. Its imagery however - with a strong emphasis on the Garter - casts some doubt on this assumption as it would seem suitable for a more formal space within Windsor Castle itself, rather than a garden retreat like Frogmore.

An urn, decorated with a relief of Britannia, stands on a base decorated with the star of the Garter and lion's head in relief and supported by the lion and unicorn. At the top of the canvas are suspended Garter collars and a medallion of St George.

In addition to her other duties, Mary Moser taught the daughters of George III and Queen Charlotte to draw, probably also at Frogmore House.