Cake Basket 1784 - 1785

This elegant cake basket was made by Hester Bateman, a renowned silversmith working in England during the late 18th century. Bateman's success speaks to changing social and economic structures of the period. As London grew into a global trade hub, a new middle class emerged with disposable income and a desire for refined goods. Artisans like Bateman were able to capitalize on this demand, crafting silver objects that signaled taste and status. The basket's delicate piercings and bright sheen reflect a neoclassical aesthetic popular among the elite. The rise of female entrepreneurs like Bateman also challenged traditional gender roles, even as they catered to a privileged clientele. To fully understand Bateman's achievement, we can look at trade records, guild documents, and probate inventories. These sources illuminate the complex social and institutional context that shaped her work, and underscore the vital role of historical research in deciphering the meanings of art.