HESTER BATEMAN (1708-1794) Sterling Silver Teapot, 1790

HESTER BATEMAN (1708-1794)
Outstanding Woman Silversmith of the 1700's

Widowed in 1760, by 1761 (illiterate and with 5 children) she took over the family business and she registered her first personal mark as silversmith. For nearly 30 years she developed & guided a thriving family enterprise from the family home and attached workshop, serving a rising fashionable class with the latest styles, made in the latest techniques.

Hallmarks on this teapot identify it to 1790, the final year that Hester Bateman, at age 82, used her personal mark.

In late 1790 Hester Bateman retired her personal mark, and entered the partnership mark of the two sons she had trained to be joined later by the widow of one son, and still later by a third generation of Batemans.

A. The TEAPOT.
Form : Oval cylindrical body, tapered straight spout, hinged lid which rises to a domed center crowned with carved ivory (or similar material) and silver pineapple finial; carved pearwood handle; flat base.

Body decoration : body and lid decorated by bands of bright-cut and similar neoclassical engraving; each side of body centers an octagonal cartouche, vacant of personalization.

Length 11" (28 cm) handle to spout tip; height 6-3/4 -- 6-7/8" (15-1/4 cm) to top of finial; Gross weight : 14.05 troy ounces

Maker's mark : The flat base is struck with cursive "HB" for Hester Bateman (ref : Grimwade, illustrated as # 961), her final mark, registered in 1787 (mark retired after 1790, in the 82nd year of her age);
hallmarks : lion passant, King George III profile, date letter in shield lower case "p", according to Jackson, marks used for London, Sterling Silver, May 1, 1790 to April 30, 1791.

Condition : Good for type and age, with typical mild signs of wear & possible typical repairs or reinforcements including to joint between spout and body.
All maker marks and hallmarks are well-struck, distinct, complete and fine.

B. The STAND, 1788-1789.
A perfect fit, but not precisely matching.
Oval, length (just shy of) 6-3/4", x 4-9/16", height 3/4" on four "French" feet. The flat center is engraved with a shield-shape cartouche centering an armorial, worn.
Weight : 3.61 troy ounces

Maker's mark "HC" in rectangle for Henry Chawner, entered 1787 (Grimwade, illustrated as # 972, or a larger version cited but not illustrated);
hallmarks : lion passant, King George III profile, date letter in shield "n" for London, Sterling Silver, 1788-89.

# bntt 22001 Teapot & Stand (2 pieces)...............................................................SOLD