Burnell and Rowe

Description

Here we have a fine quality George III Sterling Silver Open Table Salt with a Gilt interior. The oval salt is in Georgian neo-classical style with a pedestal base and a part reeded body. There is a crest of a hand above the initials J G elegantly engraved on the upper part of the body.

The salt is made in London by Peter, Ann & William Bateman and dates to 1803. The Bateman family, under their matriarch Hester, were the most successful manufacturing silversmiths in England at the end of the eighteenth century. After Hester retired in 1790, her son Peter took over the firm, initially with his brother Jonathan, then with Jonathan's wife Ann and later with Ann's son William. They produced a huge range of silverware and this salt is definitely one of their high end pieces.

Condition is extremely good, with no dings or dents, no significant wear to the gilding (black mark in the photo is a reflection of the camera) and just the minimal superficial surface wear that has to be expected after nearly 220 years of good service. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The salt is 8.7cm / 3.4ins long, 6.6cm / 2.6ins across and stands 5.3cm / 2.1ins high. It weighs in at a substantial 90.3g / 3.2oz of solid Sterling Silver.

The hallmarks on the underside of the base are nice and clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the crowned leopard's head assay mark for London, the date letter H for 1803, the George III duty mark and the PB over AB over WB makers' mark for Peter, Ann & William Bateman.

Shipping in the UK is £10 by Royal Mail Special Delivery, which includes cover for the value of the salt.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.