George III Sterling Silver Salver / Waiter by William Bateman I and Robert Bateman
Hollowware - Salver / Waiter · William Bateman I and Robert Bateman of the Bateman family of silversmiths. Working out of Bunhill Row, London, the family is renowned for their elegant Neoclassical designs and heritage.
Pattern: Traditional Georgian Plain or Gadrooned Border Salver (typical of the period, likely without a formal pattern name)
Type
Hollowware - Salver / Waiter
Maker
William Bateman I and Robert Bateman of the Bateman family of silversmiths. Working out of Bunhill Row, London, the family is renowned for their elegant Neoclassical designs and heritage.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity), identified by the Lion Passant hallmark.
Dimensions
Standard salver size typically ranges from 6 to 12 inches in diameter; the scratch weight marks (21-15) indicate 21 troy ounces and 15 pennyweights (approx. 676 grams).
Description
A fine example of early 19th-century English silver, this salver displays the restrained elegance associated with the Bateman workshop. The hallmarks are exceptionally crisp, showing the transition from high Georgian craft to the early Victorian period.
Key Features
The distinctive 'WB/RB' maker's mark and the presence of hand-scratched inventory/weight markings (21-15) which were common in 19th-century silver management.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity), identified by the Lion Passant hallmark.
Finish & Decoration
Polished mirror finish with circular planished (hammered) surface visible in the center. The style is Neoclassical Georgian, characterized by clean lines and utilitarian elegance.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The piece bears a full set of London Hallmarks: Maker's mark 'WB / RB' for William and Robert Bateman (registered 1839, though earlier versions exist); Lion Passant (British Sterling); Leopard's Head (London Assay Office); Date Letter 'O' (likely 1829 or 1849 depending on shield shape); and a George IV or William IV duty mark.
Construction Details
Hand-raised from a flat sterling silver sheet with a planished surface. The rim would have been cast or drawn and applied to the edge by hand soldering.
Functional Features
Flat serving surface used for conveying drinks or letters, traditionally supported by three or four cast bracket or claw-and-ball feet.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A - Salvers are handleless; however, it would feature cast silver feet attached to the underside (not visible in the hallmark close-up).
Craftsmanship Details
Hand-wrought evidence is visible in the concentric planishing marks around the hallmarking area. The crispness of the stamps indicates a high-quality strike on a thick-gauge plate.
Authentication Indicators
The hallmarks are struck with correct spacing and depth; the Lion Passant shows the appropriate 'fanning' of the punch. The scratch weight aligns with the expected density of the metal.
Origin & Manufacturing
London, England. Manufactured in the Bateman family workshop, a lineage highly respected for consistency and quality during the Industrial Revolution transition.
Era & Period
late Georgian / early Victorian era (1820-1840 transition). Indicator is the Bateman family hallmark and the duty mark of the reigning monarch.
Age Estimate
Circa 1829-1830 based on the 'O' date letter and the William/Robert Bateman collaboration period.
Cultural Significance
Salvers were essential status symbols in 19th-century households, used by servants to present visiting cards or refreshments to guests without touching the items directly.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The surface shows light 'swirl' scratches consistent with centuries of hand polishing. No evidence of solder repairs or monogram removal is visible in the stamp area.
Value Estimate
$1,200 - $2,500 USD depending on the diameter, foot design, and presence of a central crest or monogram.
Care & Maintenance
Hand polish with a high-quality cream like Wright's Silver Cream. Avoid abrasive cloths. Store in a Pacific Silvercloth bag to prevent oxidation.
Similar Pieces
Similar salvers by Paul Storr (more ornate) or Revere (simpler American versions). Difference lies in the specific 'Bateman' minimalism.
Interesting Facts
Hester Bateman, the matriarch of this firm, was one of the few successful female silversmiths of the 18th century; pieces by her descendants (William and Robert) are highly collectible due to this pedigree.