Each shaped oval with shell and gadrooned border, comprising one marked Paul Storr, London, 1806, engraved with the arms as bourne by Duke of Hamilton, length 15 inches (38 cm); and another marked Paul Storr, London, 1808, length 15 1/4 inches (39 cm), total approximately 100 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; marking from normal use including fine even knife marks; each clearly hallmarked; the larger with heavier wear to engraved arms

Good condition overall; marking from normal use including fine even knife marks; each clearly hallmarked; the larger with heavier wear to engraved arms

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