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Brief History of Pewter
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 231.88° C (449.38° F), and a high boiling point of 2,625°
C (4,757° F).
The history of tin goes back to the Sumerians who produced bronze (a copper-tin
alloy) nearly 4500 years. The oldest known pewter is about 3500 years old and
comes from Egypt. Pewter from China dates back at least 2000 years and from
Japan about 1100 years. Phoenicians traded for Cornish tin more than 2000 years
ago, and tin and lead resources may have been a factor in the Roman occupation
of Britain. Small pewter items were made in Roman Britain.
In Europe, pewter plates and hollow ware were being used by noble households and
the church in the 12th and 13th centuries. In lesser households, however, it was
much later that pewter began to replace plates, bowls and beakers made of wood
and bone. With the increasing use of pewter, guilds were formed to promote the
interests of pewter makers and to develop and maintain both the quality of
material and products made from it.
As the industry grew, guilds were formed throughout Europe. One of the largest
and most influential was "The Worshipful Company of Pewterers" of London, which
was formed in 1348. Guilds were given the power to regulate all aspects of the
craft; from the training of an apprentice through to the composition of the
pewter. Members of the guild were required to register "touch marks" which would
identify their work. Little did these pewtersmiths of old realize how valuable
touch marks would become to the modern collector.
The use of pewter reached its peak in the 17th century when, from birth to
death, people were surrounded by pewter bottles and spoons; items for eating and
drinking, and serving; bleeding bowls, bedpans, and snuffboxes. Taverns used
mugs and measures, churches used flagons, chalices, patens and baptismal bowls.
The introduction of porcelain and pottery during the 18th century heralded the
beginning of the end of pewter tableware. Even so, pewter continued to be used
for decorative purposes. Artists and craftsmen during the Arts and Crafts Period
and the Art Nouveau Period used pewter and achieved glorious results. Today,
pewter is still valued for its beauty and flexibility.
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