18th Century Antique English Sterling Silver George III Chocolate Pot Coffee Tea

Description

1782 Antique 18th century George III sterling silver chocolate pot or chocolatière. A beautiful sterling silver 925 / 1000 lidded pot featuring baluster form with baroque deisgn, wooden handle, acanthus detail and acorn finial. Attributed to the Bateman Family of London England. Markings show the letter B, the Lion Passant, the Crowned leopard for the London Assay Tax Office, and the letter date g for 1782.

Hester Bateman (1709-1794) was the most famous 18th c. English female silversmith. Hester was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Nedem. She married in 1732 (at the Church of St. Botolph's, Aldergate, in the City of London) the goldsmith John Bateman, whereby together they worked a small silversmith business. It is believed John never held a formal apprenticeship, which is why many Bateman pieces had been contracted out to talented craftsmen.
John was a ""Chainmaker"" (a branch of the silversmiths' art) and died on November 13, 1760 leaving in his will ""unto my loving wife, Easter Bateman all my household goods and implements"".

When her husband died in 1760, 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, when she was living in the Parish of St. Andrew when she lived with her daughter Letitia.

Provenance : Jerome Schottenstein Estate, Columbus Ohio. Jerome was was an American entrepreneur and philanthropist, co-founder of Schottenstein Stores Corp. The Schottenstein family were Lithuanian immigrants who began an extensive business empire in the late 19th Century. Schottenstein Stores owns stakes in DSW and American Signature Furniture; American Eagle Outfitters, retail liquidator SB360 Capital Partners, over 50 shopping centers, and 5 factories producing its shoes and furniture. It also holds an ownership interest in American Eagle Outfitters, Wehmeyer in Germany, Cold Stone Creamery and The Mazel Company.

Condition

Good antique condition, wear and distressing commensurate with age and use, small mark below spout, past repair to handle.

Dimensions

9" x 13.75" x 6", 1006.9g