Pewter has long been a part of our history. Tin, which is the main component, was discovered by man sometime in the Bronze Age. In fact, it is closely related to bronze…bronze is an alloy made of a large portion of copper and a small portion of tin and other ingredients, while pewter is an alloy made primarily of tin with a small amount of copper. Many people don’t realize that tin actually ranks fourth as the most widely used precious metal, second only to platinum, gold, and silver.
In Europe, it became very popular for cookware, dishes, and eating utensils in the Middle Ages. Nobles and wealthy merchants favored it in the 12th century. As it became more common, it spread to inns and taverns. By the 15th century, it was not only common for most people to use it as tableware, but it was also forged into toys and decorative items. When the dangers of lead became apparent in the 1700s, this form of alloy was replaced by Britannia metal, which is a form of pewter made from tin, antimony, and copper. Today, the alloy is made of tin combined with a variety of other components that add its hardening qualities to tin. Modern types do not contain lead, although care should be taken if dealing with antique pewter.
Guilds were created to train new craftsmen and create standards for the production of popular items. Hammering and casting were the primary methods of creating usable parts. The artisans were divided into three categories based on their method. Craft artisans created fine items by hammering; Hollow pottery men poured pieces into moulds, and Triflers worked with lower grade alloys, creating small decorative or utilitarian pieces. Today, a fourth method commonly used in crafting items is spinning. Spinning consists of shaping the piece in a mold on a wheel, using a blunt tool.
In the latter part of the 18th century, cheaper methods of mass-producing pottery and glass became available, and pewter lost its popularity. It came to represent a lack of taste. Many artisans ended up losing their businesses. Today, it is growing in popularity again. Fine handcrafted jewellery, household items and decorative items are made to high standards in the UK and USA. More people are realizing that it’s not a cheap replacement for silver…it has a distinctive shine and durability all its own that has attracted fans around the world.
