Pewter is a wonderful metal with a long history. The origin of the word Pewter is not fully known, but it is probably an English modification of the word spelter. It was adopted with only slight variation by most of the continental European nations. At an early period Europeans became very fond of pewter wares. The word pewter became peauter in Dutch, peutre, peautre or piautre in French, peltro in Italian and peltre in Spanish. Roman pewter, the oldest known, which has been uncovered at various sites in England and elsewhere, was composed of tin and lead alone. Occasional traces or iron are believed to be accidental.

Pewter is a tin alloy - that is, any mix of metals containing at least 51% tin. However our pewter collectibles contain a whopping 97% tin, with the rest being 3% copper and antimony. (In historical times 2-3% lead was common instead of antimony. But today all qualitly pewter is lead free.)

Tin

• Tin is the fourth most precious metal in the world and was used by man as early as the Bronze Age. Tin very rarely occurs uncombined in nature. The dioxide, which occurs as cassiterite, or tinstone, is the only ore of commercial importance and is found, in such places as China, Brazil, Bolivia, Indonesia, and Peru. Tin has a relatively low melting point of 450 degrees and alloys well with other metals. It will increase the hardness of an alloy and raise its working temperature. Other characteristics of tin are its softness, its malleability and its high fluidity when molten.

Antimony

• Antinomy has been known since the days of ancient Egypt and Rome. It rarely occurs free in nature but its ores are widely found, principally in such places as China, South Africa, Bolivia, Peru and the United States. Antimony is a metalloid element found in mined deposits. It is useful in alloys because it improves its capacity to reproduce detail and it hardens soft metals such as tin.

Copper

• Copper was one of the first known metals to humans and was probably mined in the free state as long ago as the 5th century BC. Much of the world's copper now comes from the mountain ranges extending from Alaska to the top of South America. Copper increases the hardness of an alloy and raises its working temperature.

Some people think of pewter as a cheap substitute for sterling silver, but this it is not. Pewter is a splendid metal with its own merits and qualities that make it a fine precious metal for both decorative and practical applications. Pewter historically was an alloy of tin and lead (up to 50% Pb). It became popular in kitchen ware such as plates, mugs and utensils. by the mid 1700s the health hazards and tarnishing drawbacks of leaded pewter helped popularize Britannia metal a non-leaded form of pewter. Britannia metal consists of tin, antimoney and copper. Pewter is a general name used to denote a number of alloys of various metals in diverse proportions, the sole common feature of which lies in the fact that tin is always the chief constituent. Tin (sn) is a relatively soft and ductile metal with a silvery white color. It has a density of 7.29 grams per cubic centimeter, a low melting point of 44.938 degrees F, and a high boiling point of 4,757 degrees F. Most people think of tin cans when they hear the word tin and that makes them think "Cheap". Tin cans were in fact made from iron that was dipped in tin to prevent rusting. Today's "Tin Foil" is actually made of aluminum!

Tin is in fact a precious and expensive metal. Tin has been mined and used to make objects both decorative and utilitarian for over 3,000 years. It's the fourth most precious metal in common usage after platinum, gold and silver. Modern pewter contains about 92% (ours contains 97%) and added to this are small amounts of antimony, copper or bismuth to give additional strength (ours contains antimony and copper).

Pewter was probably first made in the Bronze Age. Pewter and bronze are related alloys; pewter is mostly tin, with a small amount of copper (and other ingredients), while bronze is an alloy made up primarily of copper, with a small amount of tin. It has been speculated by historians that pewter was invented when the quantities of metal in the alloy were reversed, whether this was by accident or by design is impossible to tell!

By the middle ages the use of Pewter in Europe was widespread. Around the 12th century, pewter was only within the reach of the wealthy, where it was to be found on tables of castle halls and in the houses of rich merchants and churchmen. Later its use spread into taverns and cottages. It was mainly used for functional items like plates and cutlery, but pewterers also made small decorations and toys, referred to as "trifle". In 1290, Edward I had over 300 pewter dishes, salts and platters. He seems to have had no silver plates at all.

Somewhere around the 15th century, craftsmen in England began forgin tin, that was mined locally in Cornwall, England, into tankards, plates, and candlesticks. Pewter later became a common replacement for household items made of clay, leather and wood. The growth of the pewter industry in Europe at this time led to the establishment of guilds, which regulated the quality of work produced by pewterers. "The Worshipful Company of Pewterers" was established in England in 1348 for this purpose.

Towards the end of the 18th century however, the mass production of good quality porcelain tableware had a dramatic effect on the market for utilitarian pewterware, forcing many pewterers out of business. The Victorian age, electroplating helped clear pewter utensils from our tables as well. Despite all this by the 1930s, England became world renown for fine pewter craftsmanship, which was the result of their high production and design standards, established guidelines and rigorous testing procedures.

Today pewter items are enjoying an enormous revival, both consumer and craftsman have rediscovered the glowing beauty and practical function of fine pewter. Pewter collectibles also make great family heirlooms to hand down from generation to generation.

Throughout it's long history pewter has had an almost infinite variety of compositions, even today there are still numerous varieties produced. The only common factor is a relatively high tin content which is hardened by additions of other elements. In most countries newly manufactured pewter is a lead free alloy usually being hardened with additions of antimoney and copper, containing over 90% tin. Other elements such as silver and bismuth are sometimes used. In the past pewter often contained lead but as awareness has grown into the harmful effects of lead it has been eliminated. Modern pewter can be polished to a bright silver like finish or if preferred chemical darkeners can be used to simulate the patinas associated with old pewter.

Fortunately, pewter is affordable and largely carefree. The very nature of the metal insures a timelss design both for the casual confumer or the serious collector. The mystique of pewter is irresistable. Pewter has proven to be a good investment as the value multiplies over the years.

Pewter is once again enjoying popularity. It is both practical and decorative and is found in the finest homes and museums. Some people collect pewter soley out of love for the beauty and character of the metal and the artistry with which it is wrought. They use the pieces in their collections regularly and find them practical for the every day serving of food and drink or in the case of figurines - for the subdued decorative charm.

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