Hester Bateman

Hester Bateman (1708–1794) is probably the most well known of all English lady silversmiths and her work is highly collectible. She married in 1732 the goldsmith John Bateman, and together they worked a small silversmith business. Following the death of her husband in 1760 she successfully ran her family business for thirty years and was succeeded in turn by her sons, grandson and great-grandson and the Bateman family silversmithing company lasted until the middle of the nineteenth century.

Hester had at least five children – Jonathan, Peter, probably John (who may have been connected with the business, although he is only recorded as a watch and clock-maker), Letitia (who married Richard Clarke), and Ann. Only Peter, Letitia, and Ann were still living at the time of Hester’s death. Hester registered her mark at Goldsmith’s Hall ‘April 16, 1761, as Hester Bateman in Bunnhill Row and this mark was used until 1790. Hester died in 1794.

1790 registered mark of her sons PETER BATEMAN and JOHN BATEMAN. This partnership was of short duration as Jonathan, who married Ann Downlinff, died in 1791.
1791 registered mark PETER and ANN BATEMAN, Jonathan’s widow.
1800 registered mark PETER BATEMAN, ANN BATEMAN and WILLIAM (I) BATEMAN. William Bateman was the son of Jonathan and Ann Bateman who in 1800 entered in partnership with his uncle Peter and his mother Ann.
1805, after the retirement of Ann, registered mark PETER BATEMAN and WILLIAM (I) BATEMAN.
From 1815 to 1840 WILLIAM (I) BATEMAN was registered alone.
From 1839 to 1843 WILLIAM (II) BATEMAN (son of William I) & DANIELL BALL.

18th century

Monarchs

George III

Price

Hester Bateman

1772
Hester Bateman
8236 George III Silver Ladle by Hester Bateman
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An elegant antique sterling silver serving ladle with a shell shaped bowl. Excellent plain style. Made by the highly sought after Georgian lady silversmith Hester Bateman. Weight 184 grams, 5.9 troy ounces. Length 26 cms. Width of bowl 9.5 cms. London 1772. Maker Hester Bateman.
1778
Hester Bateman
8445 Georgian Silver Wine Coaster by Hester Bateman
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An elegant antique sterling silver bottle stand with pierced silver border and turned centres with silver button. The simple classical design, typical of the work by this sought after English lady silversmith, has a vertically pierced gallery with swags and classical motifs. To the front there is a vacant cartouche. Height 3.75 cms. Diameter 14 cms. Sterling silver. London 1778. Maker Hester Bateman.
Circa 1780
Hester Bateman
8449 Antique George III Silver Wine Label by Hester Bateman
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A rare antique madeira wine label having a scrolled crescent design with zig zag border and dot engraving. With the plain features and classical design you’d expect from the highly sought after Georgian lady silversmith Hester Bateman. Weight 12 grams. Width 6.5 cms. Sterling silver. London circa 1780. Maker Hester Bateman.
1784
Hester Bateman
8466 Antique Silver Mustard Pot by Hester Bateman
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A very elegant antique sterling silver mustard pot with the charming features this highly sought after Georgian lady silversmith is famous for. The body has pierced classical decoration, bead borders and pretty bright cut engraving. Blue glass liner. Weight of silver 100 grams, 3.2 troy ounces. Height (to top of finial) 9.5 cms. Spread across handle 9 cms. Base diameter 6.5 cms. London 1784. Maker Hester Bateman.
1786 - 1969
Hester Bateman
8642 George III Silver Teapot by Hester Bateman
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A very pretty antique silver teapot with plain oval shape, bead borders and straight angled spout. Excellent quality and typical of the work by this sought after English lady silversmith. To one side there is a decorative cartouche with a large armorial and crest, to the other side there is a decorative monogram with intertwined initials in old fashioned script. Contains 980 ml. Weight 509 grams, 16.3 troy ounces. Height 14.7 cms. Spread 27.5 cms. Base measures 14 x 9.8 cms. Sterling silver. London 1786. Maker Hester Bateman.
1784
Hester Bateman
8854 George III Silver Caddy Box by Hester Bateman
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A very elegant antique sterling silver tea caddy of oval form with a hinged lid. With the charming features this highly sought after Georgian lady silversmith is famous for. Beautifully hand engraved with a lovely decoration of flower swags, bands of bright engraving top and bottom, and a shield cartouche front and back. The lid has a flush inset hinge and a carved pineapple finial. Weight 370 grams, 11.8 troy ounces. Base 13 x 9 cms. Height 13 cms to top of finial. London 1784. Maker Hester Bateman.
1770
Hester Bateman
9209 George III Silver Wine Funnel by Hester Bateman
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An elegant antique sterling silver wine strainer, or port strainer, with plain styling and simple thumbpiece. Excellent classic style as you’d expect from the prestigious lady silversmith Hester Bateman. This wine funnel is made in three detachable parts – the strainer, funnel and a rare feature is the additional detachable ring which was used for holding the muslin securely. Handsome plain design with reed and gadroon borders. To the front there is a hand engraved crest. Weight 96 grams, 3.1 troy ounces. Height 12 cms. Diameter 8 cms. London 1770. Maker Hester Bateman.
Circa 1780
Hester Bateman
9215 Antique George III Silver Wine Label by Hester Bateman
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An elegant antique sterling silver bottle ticket of crescent form surmounted by swags surrounding a circular orb/cartouche (uninscribed). With the delicate classical design you’d expect from the highly sought after Georgian lady silversmith Hester Bateman. Pierced with “White Wine” across the bottom. Weight 14 grams. Height 4.5 cms. Width 5 cms. Sterling silver. London circa 1780. Maker Hester Bateman.
Circa 1775
Hester Bateman
6143 George III Silver Lemon Strainer by Hester Bateman
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Large antique sterling silver lemon strainer with shaped side handles. Lovely pierced central design of flower petals. Weight 99 grams, 3.1 troy ounces. Diameter 9 cms. Spread across handles 17.25 cms. Height 3 cms. Marked underneath handle. London. Circa 1775. Makers mark only for Hester Bateman. This is the earliest mark recorded for Hester and was entered in 1774.
1787
Hester Bateman
6469 George III Silver Cream Jug by Hester Bateman
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A very pretty antique sterling silver jug by the sought after lady silversmith. Elegant tall vase shape with sweeping handle and square foot. Finely engraved with bright cut borders, trails of foliage and a vacant cartouche to the front. Excellent condition. Weight 114 grams, 3.6 troy ounces. Height 15.25 (to top of handle). Top 8 x 6 cms. Base 5.25 x 5 cms. London 1787. Maker Hester Bateman.
1786
Hester Bateman
7246 Pair of George III Salts by Hester Bateman
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An elegant pair of antique sterling silver salts of oval form by this very sought after lady silversmith. Plain classical style with bead borders, bands of bright cut engraving and a pierced scrollwork frieze. There is an engraved crest within an oval cartouche to the front. Original blue glass liners. Weight of silver 109 grams, 3.5 troy ounces. Height 5 cms. Length 8.5 cms. Width 6 cms. London 1786. Maker Hester Bateman.
Circa 1784
Hester Bateman
7400 George III Two Handled Cup by Hester Bateman
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An elegant antique sterling silver cup with side handles and raised on a pedestal foot. With the charming style for which this sought after English lady silversmith is famous. To the front is a hand engraved armorial crest. Weight 329 grams, 10.5 troy ounces. Contains 425 ml. Height 12.5cm. Diameter of top 9.75cm. Spread 17cm. London 1784. Maker Hester Bateman.
1787
Hester Bateman
7614 George III Silver Cream Jug
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A very pretty antique sterling silver jug by the sought after English lady silversmith. Elegant tall vase shape with an unusual sweeping handle and square foot. Finely engraved with bright cut borders, trails of ribbons and foliage, and a cartouche to the front with a hand engraved crest. Excellent condition. Weight 114 grams, 3.6 troy ounces. Height 15.5 (to top of handle). Spread 11 cms. Base 5.5 x 5.5 cms. London 1787. Maker Hester Bateman.
1782
Hester Bateman
7792 Georgian Silver Sweetmeat Basket by Hester Bateman
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A delightful little antique sterling silver basket having a classic boat shape on pedestal foot. With bead borders, a swing handle and a blue glass liner. The fine and delicate hand engraving is very charming as you’d expect from this sought after female silversmith. The body has pierced cut out motifs and bright cut engraved swags and dot borders. To the front there is an engraved crest of a lion. Weight 183 grams, 5.8 troy ounces. Height 9.5/16 cms. Top 12 x 9 cms. London 1782. Maker Hester Bateman.
1786
Hester Bateman
7939 George III Silver Cream Jug
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An elegant shaped antique sterling silver jug by the sought after English lady silversmith. Elegant tall vase shape with a sweeping handle and square foot. Lovely plain style with a bead border. Excellent condition. Weight 119 grams, 3.8 troy ounces. Height 16 (to top of handle). Base 5 x 5 cms. London 1786. Maker Hester Bateman.
1783
Hester Bateman
7967 Antique George III Silver Peppers by Hester Bateman
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A pretty pair of antique sterling silver pepperettes by the sought after English lady silversmith. Elegant tall baluster form with gadroon borders. The tops are pierced and engraved, each with a flame finial. Weight 152 grams, 7.2 troy ounces. Height 14. Diameter of base 5 cms. London 1781 and 1783. Maker Hester Bateman.
1781
Hester Bateman
8090 Georgian Silver Coffee Pot by Hester Bateman
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An elegant antique sterling silver coffee pot of plain design with a shaped body on pedestal foot and bead borders. Lovely classical style typical of this sought after English lady silversmith. The pot has a border of bright cut decoration around the top and to the front and back there is a decorative cartouche with ribbons and foliate swags, one containing an animal crest. Contains 1050 ml. Weight 880 grams, 28.2 troy ounces. Height 29 cms. Spread 22 cms. Sterling silver. London 1781. Maker Hester Bateman.
1782
Hester Bateman
8148 Antique Georgian Silver Marrow Scoop Spoon. by Hester Bateman
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A rare and very collectible item by this sought after English lady silversmith. This George III sterling silver spoon is double ended, with a regular spoon end and a narrow scoop end for scooping marrow out of bones. Weight 59 grams, 1.8 troy ounces. Length 23 cms. London 1782. Maker Hester Bateman.
1781
Hester Bateman
9555 George III Silver Coffee Pot
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An elegant antique sterling silver coffee pot of plain design with a shaped body on pedestal foot. Lovely classical style typical of Hester Bateman, the sought after English lady silversmith. The pot has bead borders and hand engraved armorial within a decorative cartouch to the front. Contains 1100 ml. Weight 855 grams, 27.4 troy ounces. Height 32.5cm. Spread 21cm. Sterling silver. London 1781. Maker Hester Bateman.
1780
Hester Bateman
9794 George III Silver Wine Label
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Highly collectible. An antique silver wine label (also known as a bottle ticket) by the sought after lady silversmith Hester Bateman. Of crescent form, with bright cut borders, and suspended on a rolo chain. The label is engraved “Madeira” to the centre. Weight 8 grams. Width 4cm. London circa 1780. Made by Hester Bateman. Sterling silver.
1785
Hester Bateman
10280 George III Antique Silver Teaspoons
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A good set of 6 antique sterling silver spoons, in the Hanoverian pattern, by the sought after lady silversmith Hester Bateman. Total weight 59 grams, just under 2 troy ounces. Length 11.5cm. London 1785. Sterling silver. 18^th century.