George III Antique Silver Caddy Box

Object Description

A very elegant antique silver tea caddy of oval form with hinged lid and interior divider for green and black tea. Fully locking with a key supplied. Nice dainty size. The box has beautiful hand engraved decoration of flower swags, bands of bright cut engraving top and bottom, and an oval cartouche front and back containing an armorial for the Lunden family with crest and motto. The lid has a flush inset hinge and urn shaped finial.

Weight 279 grams, 8.9 troy ounces.
Base 10.8cm. Height 12.5cm to top of finial.
London 1791.
Maker Peter and Anne Bateman.
Sterling silver.
18th century.

Marks. Stamped underneath with a full and clear set of English silver hallmarks, the lid with the lion mark.

Arms. The arms, motto and crest “hand holding up a cushion” are for the Lunden family of Auchtermarnie – a Scottish family from Fife. The Latin motto “Tam genus, quam virtus” translates as “Lineage as well as virtue”

Maker: Peter & Ann Bateman

Peter, Anne and William Bateman were the son, daughter-in-law (widow of Jonathan) and grandson of Hester Bateman, probably the most well known of all English lady silversmiths whose work is highly collectible.

Hester married the goldsmith John Bateman in 1732, and together they worked a small silversmith business. Following the death of her husband in 1760 she successfully ran her family business for thirty years and was succeeded in turn by her sons, grandson and great-grandson and the Bateman family silversmithing company lasted until the middle of the nineteenth century.

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.

1790 registered mark of her sons PETER BATEMAN and JOHN BATEMAN. This partnership was of short duration as Jonathan, who married Ann Downlinff, died in 1791.
1791 registered mark PETER and ANN BATEMAN, Jonathan’s widow. 1800 registered mark PETER BATEMAN, ANN BATEMAN and WILLIAM (I) BATEMAN. William Bateman was the son of Jonathan and Ann Bateman who in 1800 entered in partnership with his uncle Peter and his mother Ann.
1805, after the retirement of Ann, registered mark PETER BATEMAN and WILLIAM (I) BATEMAN. From 1815 to 1840 WILLIAM (I) BATEMAN was registered alone. From 1839 to 1843 WILLIAM (II) BATEMAN (son of William I) & DANIELL BALL.

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Object Literature

Tea in the early 18th Century was expensive, and also there was a tax on tea so early tea caddies were small and made in precious materials such as silver, shagreen or tortoiseshell which reflected the valuable contents within.
Some of the earliest silver examples have sliding bases (or tops) and the cap was used for measuring the tea. By the mid eighteenth century matching sets were available, with two caddies (for green and black tea) and a sugar bowl, all fitted into a wooden or shagreen case, often with silver mounts.
During the late 1700’s the locking silver tea caddy was introduced with its own key which the lady of the house kept on the chatelaine around her waist. Double locking tea caddies in silver are rare.

Object Condition

This pretty silver box is in very good condition. The engraving is still sharp. Both the lid and lock work well. Shows moderate signs of wear commensurate with age.

Object Details