Shaped circular with shell and gadroon border, engraved with the Royal arms of King George III and the arms of the Dukes of Hamilton as bourne by Alexander, 10th Duke of Hamilton. Diameter 10 3/4 inches (27.5 cm), approximately 30 ounces.

In 1806, Alexander, the 10th Duke of Hamilton (1767-1854) was appointed Ambassador for King George III to the Court of Empress Catherine the Great in St. Petersburg, Russia. In order to represent the British Crown in a style befitting this important position, a magnificent silver dinner service was commissioned for the occasion. The Hamilton Ambassadorial Service was one of Paul Storr's most important commissions comprising 278 pieces totaling 9,513 ounces. While officially ordered by the Crown through the Jewel Office, these great ambassadorial services were typically awarded to the recipient on their retirement from the post. The service remained in the family of the Dukes of Hamilton until it was sold by Christie's in 1919. The lot listing from the sale (where the entire service was sold together as one lot) includes 144 dinner plates, 36 soup plates and 14 oval dishes.

The largest portion of the Hamilton Ambassadorial Service now resides in the White House where it continues to be used on State occasions. Mrs. Dorothea Wiman's donation of the silver in 1963 included four candelabra, 104 dinner plates and a pair of covered chop plates.

Good condition overall with light surface marking as expected from use; clearly hallmarked underside; good detail to engraved arms; good heavy gauge

Good condition overall with light surface marking as expected from use; clearly hallmarked underside; good detail to engraved arms; good heavy gauge

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