A George III silver large "Grecian" tea urn in the style of Thomas Hope, Paul Storr for Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, London, 1809

of volute krater form, on square base with lion paw feet, lion-head spout springing from Grecian ornament, laurel-chased handles rising from snakes, flat cover with sliding pinecone finial, engraved at front of base with Gothic initial E under earl's coronet

Thomas, 7th Earl of Elgin (1766-1841), presumably to
James, 8th Earl of Elgin (1811-1863), Governor-General of Canada and Viceroy of India
Al-Tajir Collection, London (by 1980)

Sydney: The Sydney Art Gallery of New South Wales, 1980, no. 15.
London, Christie's, 1989: The Glory of the Goldsmith, Magnificent Gold and Silver from the Al-Tajir Collection, no. 128

The Glory of the Goldsmith, Magnificent Gold and Silver from the Al-Tajir Collection, 1989, p. 166-167.

a few minor scratches, good condition overall
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The clean classical lines of this piece can be directly related to several pieces of silver shown in Thomas Hope's Household Furniture of 1807.  Paul Storr made items for Hope, and may have supplied the items Hope illustrated, rather than being inspired by the published designs.

Not suprisingly, the self-conscious classicism of this form appealed to Thomas, 7th Earl of Elgin - famous for the Elgin marbles, which he removed from the Parthenon during his time as Ambassador to Constantinople (1799-1803).  This urn would have been purchased on his return, and presumably after he divorced his first wife in 1807-08 and before he married his second in September 1810.  In 1816, the British nation would purchase the marbles that he brought from Greece.