HALLMARKS, HISTORY & HESTER with Patrick Street

British hallmarks have acted as a safeguard to purchasers of silver articles for over 600 years. Hallmarking is still one of the most important forms of consumer protection.

Hester Bateman (1708–1794), often called the ‘Queen of English Silversmiths’, was particularly interested in design and was well-placed to take advantage of the neo-classical style introduced by the architect Robert Adam. Her last mark was registered on 3 August 1787.

This talk will consider the development of the hallmark alongside the eventful and innovative career of Bateman.

PATRICK STREET has been the Melbourne-based editor of The Silver Society of Australia Newsletter for more than six years. He has been collecting silver for more than 20 years and has a collection of English, French and Continental silverware. Mr Street retired as a Deputy Chief Magistrate of Victoria in 1999.