CIRCA 1813, IMPRESSED CROWNED BFB MARK, INCISED 10

'The Stowe Service' represents the apogee of the superior quality of work carried out during the Regency period at the Worcester factory. It was delivered in 1813 (a transitional year for the factory) 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 realized in 1822 when he was created first Duke of Buckingham and Chandos; subsequently in 1848, 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.