Peter & Ann Bateman Georgian Sterling Silver Berry Spoons, London 1791

A highly collectible pair of Georgian sterling silver berry spoons by Peter & Ann Bateman, hallmarked in London in 1791. Each spoon measures 22.5 cm and has a finely decorated handle with a gilt-washed bowl chased and embossed with fruit motifs.

The spoons themselves are genuine late 18th-century Georgian sterling silver by one of the most recognised names in English silver. The berry-style decoration and gilt-washed bowls are consistent with the 19th-century fashion for adapting Georgian tablespoons into decorative fruit or berry serving spoons. This was a well-established practice and gives the pair strong visual appeal while preserving the importance of the original Georgian hallmarks.

Details

Item: Pair of berry serving spoons
Maker: Peter & Ann Bateman
Assay Office: London
Date: 1791
Period: George III / Georgian
Material: Sterling silver / 925
Decoration: Later chased and embossed berry-style bowls with gilt wash
Length: 22.5 cm each
Combined Weight: 115 grams
Condition: Excellent antique condition

Condition

Excellent antique condition with minimal wear consistent with age. The gilt-washed bowls and chased decoration remain attractive, and the spoons present beautifully as a matched decorative pair. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.

Historical and Collector Context

Peter & Ann Bateman were part of the celebrated Bateman family of London silversmiths, one of the best-known names in Georgian silver. The Peter & Ann Bateman partnership was active from 1791, making this pair an early example from that important maker’s mark.

Berry spoons became especially popular in the 19th century, when earlier Georgian serving spoons were often chased, embossed and gilded to create decorative fruit-serving pieces. The gilt wash helped protect the silver from the acidity of fruit while also adding a rich visual contrast to the decorated bowls.

This pair combines genuine Georgian Bateman silver with the decorative appeal of later berry-style chasing. The result is a striking and highly displayable pair of antique English silver serving spoons, appealing to collectors of Georgian silver, Bateman family silver and decorative berry spoons.

A refined pair of Georgian sterling silver berry spoons with strong maker interest, attractive gilt decoration and excellent display presence.