HESTER BATEMAN. A very fine, and unusual, George III FOUR BOTTLE Cruet made in London in 1785 by Hester Bateman.
HESTER BATEMAN. A very fine, and unusual, George III FOUR BOTTLE Cruet made in London in 1785 by Hester Bateman.
375758
The Boat shaped base of the Cruet stands on four flat fluted feet and rises to a beaded rim, with beaded scroll carrying ends. The four circular bottle cages are also decorated with beaded rims and are held in position with two skewers on the underside. The front displays an oval disc cartouche engraved with a contemporary Armorial, with Crest above, flanked by crossed branches. The underside of the base displays a full set of marks and the cages with a sterling mark.
The cruet frame contains four bottles, two taller for oil and vinegar standing on a shaped foot to simulate a flower head. The baluster shaped glass body are each engraved with horizontal bands. Each has a silver mount decorated with bright cut designs and beading. The hinged covers display a raying shell thumb piece and each has a reeded loop handle. The two smaller bottles are probably for pepper/ spice and the one with a solid cover for dry mustard. These also have a baluster form and stand on a foot shaped to simulate a flower head in full bloom. The main body is also decorated with horizontal bands. Each has a shaped, pull off, cover engraved with swirling foliate designs and decorated with reeding and beading. One is pierced for spice and pepper and the other is not pierced and is probably for dry mustard, as the covers of these casters were generally not pierced.
The Cruet stand and bottles are all in most excellent condition. Cruets by Hester Bateman are scarce and this is modelled in a most unusual design.
Length of cruet frame: 12 inches, 30 cm.
Width of cruet frame: 5.5 inches, 13.75 cm.
Height of the frame to the top of the bottle cages: 3.5 inches, 8.75 cm.
Weight of the frame 14oz.
Height of the oil and vinegar bottles : 7.1 inches, 17.75 cm.
Height of the Casters: 6.7 inches, 16.75 cm.
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