Object Description
Rare silver tea urn by Jonathan and Peter Bateman hallmarked in London in 1791. All items of silver by Jonathan and Peter are rare as their mark was only used for 6 months following the retirement of their mother Hester Bateman in 1790 and Jonathan’s untimely death from cancer in April 1791.
The urn would have been used in a country or large house to keep water hot for beverages etc, the heat being provided by a heated rod that would have been placed within the central compartment of the bowl.
This urn is an elegant vase shape with looping handles with a raised lid. The handles, tap, lid and base all have reeded decoration. All parts of the urn – the base, bowl and lid are clearly similarly hallmarked for Peter and Jonathan Bateman London 1791.
The front of the urn carries the family motto within a heraldic design which reads Qualis vita finis ita which loosely translates to – as is your life so will your end or death be. This could possibly be for the Yonge family of Devon.