Skip to main content
Fish Slice 1971-149
Fish slice
Fish Slice 1971-149

Fish slice

Date1783-1784
Marked by Hester Bateman (1708 - 1794)
Possibly by John Chapman II (active 1774)
MediumSilver (Sterling)
DimensionsL: 12 1/8"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1971-149
DescriptionFish slice with filled hollow handle with borders of beading and reeds and scimitar-shaped blade with pierced and engraved pattern of scrolling foliage enclosing an oval reserved engraved with a monogram. Note that the oval reserve is not engraved on the reverse side.
Label TextFish slices with narrower blades, often fish-shaped, replaced those of triangular form about 1780. Knife handles, mainly beaded or reeded and usually joined to the end of the blade by a short bolster, replaced those of spoon type or of turned wood or ivory. As in this instance, handles were often made by specialist makers independently of the blades.

This handsomely pierced and engraved blade of unusual design bears the mark of Hester Bateman, the famous eighteenth-century woman silversmith. From the 1770s to 1790, her firm produced a large and varied body of domestic wares.


InscribedSprigged script monogram "JSR" engraved in oval reserve on face of blade.
MarkingsMarked in relief on blade near handle: 1) sponsor's mark "HB" in script [see Grimwade (1990), # 961]; 2) lion passant; 3) leopard's head crowned; and 4) date letter "h" for 1783-84.

Also marked in relief on handle: 1) "I•C" in a rectangle, possibly the sponsor's mark of John Chapman II [see Grimwade (1990), # 1213]; and 2) lion passant.
ProvenanceVendor: S. J. Shrubsole Corp., New York

Teapot 2017-313
1785-1797
Basket 1978-94
Ca. 1767-1768
2019-72, Hot Water Urn
1761-1762
DS1982-154
1778-1779
DS1982-154
1781-1782
No image number on slide
1800-1827 (compiled); some 1726
Grate and Fender 1972-361,1&2
1765-1780
1993-351,1-18, Epergne and Plateau
1742-1743
KC1971-244
ca. 1785