CIRCA 1813, RED CIRCULAR PRINTED FLIGHT, BARR & BARR/ROYAL PORCELAIN WORKS WORCESTER/MANUFACTURES TO THEIR MAJESTIES AND THE PRINCE REGENT MARK, IMPRESSED CROWN AND FBB MARK

The Stowe Service represents the apogee of the superior quality of work carried out at the Flight, Barr & Barr factory. It was delivered in 1813 to the second Marquess of Buckingham and intended for his country seat at Stowe in Buckinghamshire. The superb armorial decoration, carried out on such an extensive service proclaimed the aspirations of the Marquess, coupled with pride in his family's ancestry. His aspirations were realised in 1822 when he was created first Duke of Buckingham and Chandos; however, in 1848 bankruptcy ensued. Christie's conducted a sale on the premises at Stowe, and the service was sold. The Third Duke bought back eighty-two pieces of the service at that sale, but on his death, these were sold in the second Stowe sale of 1921. In succeeding years parts of the service have passed through the salerooms on many occasions.