The arms are those of Elliot quartering those of Murray for Sir Gilbert Elliot of Minto, Roxburghshire, born in 1751. He entered Parliament in 1777 and was created a Privy Councilor in 1793. He was Minister to the Italian States in 1794 and Viceroy of Corsica 1794-1796 immediately following the cession of the island to England in return for the latter's protection. He wrote on June 22, 1794: "I was crowned last Thursday, June 19, and send you My Majesty's speech which was spoken in French; it produced on my new subjects a kingly effect". On receiving orders to abandon Corsica in September, 1796, Nelson wrote to the Duke of Clarence: "It is impossible I can justice to the good arrangement of the Government or the good management of the Viceroy which the Corsicans, not a man among whom but cried on parting with him." (Complete Peerage).

In 1797 Elliot was created Baron Minto and between 1799 and 1801 he was Envoy to Vienna. In 1806 he was made President of the Board of Control for India and served as Governor General of India between 1806 and 1813. Farington remarked in 1814 that it was said that Minto had realised 240,000 pounds during his tenure in India. On his return, he was created Viscount Melgund and Earl of Minto. He had married in 1777 Anna Maria, daughter of Sir George Amyand, Bt. He died of strangury in 1814, aged 63.

Candelabra from the same set include a pair of three light and a pair of two light sold from the Collection of Mrs. A. Hamilton Rice, Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, May 6, 1965, lots 200 and 201, and a pair of three light examples sold in these Rooms, April 17, 1985, lot 500.