Hester Bateman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hester Bateman
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Examples of the Bateman family's work at the Birmingham Museum of Art
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| Born |
Hester Nedem (or Needham)
1708 |
| Died | 16 September 1794 |
| Resting place | St. Luke's, Old Street, London |
| Nationality | English |
| Known for | Silversmith |
| Spouse(s) |
John Bateman
(m. 1732; died 1760) |
| Children | John Joseph (Joss) Bateman Letitia Bateman (Richard) Clarke Ann Bateman (Dick) Cockerill Peter Bateman (1740-1825) William Bateman Jonathan Bateman (1747-1791) |
Hester Bateman (born 1708 – died 16 September 1794) was a famous English silversmith. She was known for making beautiful and high-quality silver items. These included flatware, like forks and spoons, and fancy decorative silverware. Hester worked in her family's business. After her, her sons, daughter-in-law, grandson, and great-grandson continued the company. The Bateman family silversmith business was active until the mid-1800s.
Hester Bateman's Life Story
Hester Neden or Needham was born in London in 1708. She was baptized on October 7, 1708. On May 20, 1732, she married John Bateman. He made gold chains and drew wires.
Hester and John had six children: John Joseph, Letitia, Ann, Peter, William, and Jonathan. In 1760, John Bateman died from a lung illness called consumption (tuberculosis). In his will, he left his tools to Hester.
After her husband's death, Hester took over the family business. In 1761, she registered her own special mark at the Goldsmith's Hall. This mark was simply "HB" in a fancy writing style. This mark showed that she had made the silver piece.
From 1761 until the late 1770s, not many pieces with Hester Bateman's mark are known. She might have been making items for other silversmiths. These other silversmiths would then put their own marks on the silver. It was common for women to run businesses in luxury trades back then. Hester had other female silversmiths working at the same time, like Elizabeth Godfrey.
After about 1774, Hester Bateman worked hard to grow her business. It was located at 107 Bunhill Row in London. She worked with her sons Jonathan (1747-1791) and Peter (1740-1825). They used the newest technology to make their silverware as cheaply as possible. This helped them compete with other companies that used Sheffield Plate. Sheffield Plate was a cheaper way to make silver-plated items.
The family used thin sheets of silver metal. They also used machines to punch and pierce the silver. The Bateman family specialized in household silverware. Their designs were in a Neoclassical style. This style was popular at the time and used ideas from ancient Greek and Roman art. Hester expanded their range of products. They made many different items, such as tea caddies, jugs, salvers (trays), salt cellars, wine labels, and ink wells.
Their work is easy to recognize. It often features bright-cut engraving. This is a way of cutting designs into the silver that makes it sparkle. Their pieces also had small beads around the edges and decorative pierced patterns.
Hester Bateman retired in 1790. Her sons took over the business. Her daughter Letitia, who was now Letitia Clarke, started her own business. She was a goldsmith and jeweler from the same year. Her shop was listed as the Eagle and Pearl, at 9 Holborn-bars. Hester Bateman died on September 16, 1794, at her home at 107 Bunhill Row. She was buried at St. Luke's, Old Street, London.
Hester Bateman's Legacy
Hester Bateman built and ran her business for thirty years. After she retired, her sons Peter and Jonathan took it over. They registered a new hallmark with their initials ("PB" over "IB") in December 1790. However, Jonathan died in April 1791.
Jonathan's widow, Ann-Olympe (Dowling) (1748–1813), then joined her brother-in-law Peter. They registered a hallmark with their initials ("PB" over "AB"). Ann worked for the company until 1805. Peter Bateman retired in 1815. He passed the company to his nephew William (1774–1850). William was the son of Jonathan and Ann Bateman.
William's son, also named William Bateman, took over the business in 1839. The Bateman family company closed in 1843. Even today, Bateman silverware is very popular. Hester Bateman is still considered one of the best English silversmiths ever.
You can find silver pieces made by Hester Bateman in the Rosenbach Museum.
