Hester Bateman Teapot

[CarolinaCollectors]

The design of this teapot seems consistent with other Bateman pots of the time. The marks are clear and are consistent with 2 other Hester Bateman marks that I’ve seen on other websites. However, Bateman seems to have had numerous different marks. But, these marks show no sign of being inlayed or tampered with in any way.

My concern is that I’m ignorant of silversmith capabilities of the time. On the inside of the pot, I see expected small hammer marks on the inside of compound curves such as the top and the top edge of the pot itself. However, on the inside of the straight vertical sides of the pot and on the bottom, I see no such small hammer marks. It looks as though a sheet of silver was rolled flat, then bent to the simple shape of the pot side, and then joined at the back or handle side of the pot with straight silver soldered joint, and then polished out.

Could smiths of the 1780’s do this? Is the workmanship in this teapot consistent with Hester Bateman’s and her peers’ abilities? Thank you for any opinions you might share with me.

Jim





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[buckler]

There is an amazing ignorance of the size and technical capabiliies of Hester Batemans factory, partly fueled by the American view of her as a widow working alone in a small workshop.
Hester had a big factory with over a hundred workman, overseen by her son Peter (who was a real tyrant it appears). She had a steam engine for driving presses and a plate rolling mill. The reason for her success was marketing - she appreciated that the demand was for good looking fashionable goods at a price the new middle class could afford - and she provided it.
Her tongs ( and those of her children as successors ) for example are recognisable by being wider across the arms . Why ? She rolled the silver thinner and economised on the annealing, so they had to be made with less curvature , else they would not take the strains of frequent flexing.
Her teapots and other wares were similiarly designed for economical production, complex shapes being avoided if possible - hence your tea pot shape.
Never overestimate the Batemans craftsmanship - but never underestimate the flair for marketing and production design - she and her successors were brilliant at that.
The whole trade had changed since the early 18th century - we are talking big factories, large scale outsourcing , and many specialist subcontractors- a far cry from the small workshops of say 1700.
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[CarolinaCollectors]

buckler,

Thank you very much! I sincerely appreciate the education. You're correct - Americans do think of that poor widow-lady slaving away in her cottage foundry!! I'm fairly new to silver collecting, but I wasn't quite that naive. However, I did not know that she had quite so large an operation. I do plead ignorant to the technical processes available, but based upon my knowledge of the globe-girdling power of England in the 18th century, I suspected that Mrs. Bateman could roll a thin sheet of silver!! Thank you for confirming that. It is very helpful.

All best wishes for the Holiday season! And thank you again for taking your time to help me.

Jim
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[nigel le sueur]

Just like to say that although l cannot argue with Buckler and his observations about the Batemans in the later years, what should not be forgotten is that the remarkable thing about Hester Bateman is that a women who could not write at the age of fifty took over her husbands company and made her mark at Goldsmiths Hall with just a scrawl of H B, and l feel her early work was excellent and of a good quality.
Regards

Nigel
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[CarolinaCollectors]

Thank you Nigel. You make me feel better about my purchase!! And, if, as Buckler contends, her true strenfth was marketing, it is amazing that her marketing seems to still be having effect!! Hester Bateman's work still demands a very good price in the marketplace!! Especially in the USA. Thank you again for your comment. Have a happy holiday season.

Jim
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