Makers & Designers

Strauss & Co’s decorative arts department has handled a worldly list of makers and designers specialising in furniture making, jewellery, silver, glass, porcelain and other artisanal trades.

Strauss & Co’s decorative arts department has handled a worldly list of makers and designers specialising in furniture making, jewellery, silver, glass, porcelain and other artisanal trades. This searchable database lists prominent makers and designers sold by Strauss & Co, including René Lalique, Gio Ponti, Patrick Mavros, as well as coveted houses like The Barnards and Tiffany & Co.


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Hester Bateman

London 

Hester Bateman (bap. 1708 – 16 September 1794[1]) was an English silversmith, renowned for her high quality flatware and ornamental silverware. A craftswoman working within the family business, she was succeeded in turn by her sons, daughter-in-law, grandson and great-grandson. The Bateman family silversmithing company lasted until the middle of the nineteenth century.

Hester Neden or Needham was baptised in London on 7 October 1708, the daughter of John Neden or Needham.[2] On 20 May 1732 she married a gold chain maker and wire drawer called John Bateman.[1] During their marriage, she gave birth to six children: John Joseph (Joss), Letitia, Ann, Peter, William and Jonathan. John Bateman died of consumption (tuberculosis) in 1760, leaving his tools to his wife in his will.[1] She took over the family business and registered her own first sponsor's mark at the Goldsmith's Hall in 1761, simply "HB" in script.[3]

From the time up to the late 1770s, not much Bateman work is known, possibly because she was supplying pieces for other silversmiths that were subsequently overstamped with their marks.[2] Female traders were not uncommon at the time in luxury trades such as working with precious metals,[4] and Bateman had female contemporaries such as Elizabeth Godfrey.

After about 1774, Hester Bateman worked to build up the business at 107 Bunhill Row, London with her sons Jonathan (1747-1791) and Peter (1740-1825).[2] They used the latest technology to produce their silverware as cheaply as possible and compete with other companies using Sheffield Plate.[1] They used thin gauge sheet silver and machines to punch and pierce it.[2] 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, salvers, salt cellars, wine labels, trays and ink wells.[5] Their work is characterised by bright-cut engraving, beading around edges and piercing.

Hester Bateman retired in 1790 and was succeeded by her sons.[1] Her daughter Letitia, by now Letitia Clarke, ran her own business as a goldsmith and jeweller from the same year, listed in directories of the time as a premises at the Eagle and Pearl, 9 Holborn-bars.[7][8] Hester Bateman died on 16 September 1794 at her home at 107 Bunhill Row and was buried at St Luke's, Old Street, London.[1][9]

We have not offered any works by Hester Bateman at auction

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