Hester Bateman
Encyclopedia
Hester Bateman was an English silversmith
who successfully ran her family business for thirty years following the death of her husband. She 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.
) in 1760, leaving his tools to his wife in his will. She took over the family business and registered her first hallmark
at the Goldsmith's Hall in 1761, simply "HB" in script. From the time up to the late 1770s, not much Bateman work is known, possibly because she was supplying pieces other silversmiths that were subsequently overstamped with their marks.
After about 1774, Hester Bateman worked to build up the business at 107 Bunhill Row, London with her sons John and Peter. They used the latest technology to produce their silverware as cheaply as possible and compete with other companies using Sheffield Plate
. They used thin gauge sheet
silver and machines to punch and pierce it. The family specialised in household silverware
in a neo classical
style and she expanded their range to include many goods such as tea caddies
, jugs, salver
s, salt cellars, wine labels, trays and ink wells. It is characterised by bright-cut engraving
, beading around edges and piercing.
Bateman retired in 1790 and was succeeded by her sons. She died on 16 September 1794 and was buried at St Luke's, Old Street
, London.
Silversmith
A silversmith is a craftsperson who makes objects from silver or gold. The terms 'silversmith' and 'goldsmith' are not synonyms as the techniques, training, history, and guilds are or were largely the same but the end product varies greatly as does the scale of objects created.Silversmithing is the...
who successfully ran her family business for thirty years following the death of her husband. She 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.
Biography
Hester Neden or Needham was baptised in London on 7 October 1708, the daughter of John Neden or Needham. On 20 May 1732 she married a gold chain maker and wire drawer called John Bateman. During their marriage, she gave birth to five children; Letitia, Ann, Peter, John and Jonathan. John Bateman died of consumption (tuberculosisTuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
) in 1760, leaving his tools to his wife in his will. She took over the family business and registered her first hallmark
Hallmark
A hallmark is an official mark or series of marks struck on items made of precious metals — platinum, gold, silver and in some nations, palladium...
at the Goldsmith's Hall in 1761, simply "HB" in script. From the time up to the late 1770s, not much Bateman work is known, possibly because she was supplying pieces other silversmiths that were subsequently overstamped with their marks.
After about 1774, Hester Bateman worked to build up the business at 107 Bunhill Row, London with her sons John and Peter. They used the latest technology to produce their silverware as cheaply as possible and compete with other companies using Sheffield Plate
Sheffield plate
Sheffield plate is a layered combination of silver and copper that was used for many years to produce a wide range of household articles. These included buttons, caddy spoons, serving utensils, candlesticks and other lighting devices, tea and coffee services, serving dishes and trays, tankards and...
. They used thin gauge sheet
Sheet metal
Sheet metal is simply metal formed into thin and flat pieces. It is one of the fundamental forms used in metalworking, and can be cut and bent into a variety of different shapes. Countless everyday objects are constructed of the material...
silver and machines to punch and pierce it. The family specialised in household silverware
Silver (household)
Household silver or silverware includes dishware, cutlery and other household items made of sterling, Britannia or Sheffield plate silver. The term is often extended to items made of stainless steel...
in a neo classical
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism is the name given to Western movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw inspiration from the "classical" art and culture of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome...
style and she expanded their range to include many goods such as tea caddies
Tea caddy
A tea caddy is a box, jar, canister, or other receptacle used to store tea.The word is believed to be derived from catty, the Chinese pound, equal to about a pound and a third avoirdupois. The earliest examples that came to Europe were of Chinese porcelain, and approximated in shape to the...
, jugs, salver
Salver
A salver is a flat tray of silver or other metal used for carrying or serving glasses, cups and dishes at table or for the presenting of a letter or card by a servant...
s, salt cellars, wine labels, trays and ink wells. It is characterised by bright-cut engraving
Engraving
Engraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing...
, beading around edges and piercing.
Bateman retired in 1790 and was succeeded by her sons. She died on 16 September 1794 and was buried at St Luke's, Old Street
Old Street
Old Street is a street in east London that runs west to east from Goswell Road in Clerkenwell, in the London Borough of Islington, to the crossroads where it intersects with Shoreditch High Street , Kingsland Road and Hackney Road in Shoreditch in the London Borough of Hackney.The nearest...
, London.