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Pewter plate

Pewter is a metal alloy, traditionally between 85 and 99 percent tin, with the remainder consisting of 1-15 percent copper, acting as a hardener, with the addition of lead for the lower grades of pewter, which have a bluish tint. The word pewter is probably a variation of the word spelter. This became peautre in French, and many other languages.

Traditionally, there were three grades of pewter:

• fine: for eatingware, with 96-99 percent tin, and 1-4 percent copper
• trifle: also for eating and drinking utensils but duller in appearance, with 92 percent tin, 1-6 percent copper, and up to 4 percent lead
• lay/ley: not for eating or drinking utensils, which could contain up to 15 percent lead

Modern pewter mixes the tin and copper with antimony and/or bismuth rather than with lead.

Physically, pewter is a bright, shiny metal that is very similar--if not identical--in appearance to silver. Like silver, pewter will also tarnish to a dull gray over time if left untreated. Pewter is a very malleable alloy, being soft enough to carve with hand tools, and it also takes good impressions from punches or presses. Because of this inherent softness and malleability, however, pewter cannot be used to make tools itself. Some types of pewter pieces, such as candlesticks, would be turned on a metal lathe. Pieces produced through this technique are sometimes referred to as "holloware." Pewter has a low melting point of around 240-260°C (437-464°F) depending on the exact mixture of metals. Duplication by casting will give excellent results.

Fluid tin put into a mold to make a spoon

Use of pewter was common from the Middle Ages up until the various developments in glass-making during the 18th and 19th centuries. Pewter was the chief tableware until the making of china. Mass production of glass products has seen glass universally replace pewter in day-to-day life. Pewter artifacts continue to be produced, mainly as decorative or specialty items. Pewter was also used around East Asia. Roman pewter items are very rare, although some are still in existence. Pewter gradually stopped being used and by 1850, it was just about gone. By the 20th century, however, the craft has been brought back into existence.

Early pewter plates used by the wealthy posed a problem, as foods of high acid content would dissolve lead into the food. Lead poisoning death could result, leading many to believe tomatoes (high in acid content) were poisonous for several centuries.

Unlidded mugs and lidded tankards may be the most familiar pewter artifacts from the late 17th and 18th centuries, although the metal is also used for many other items including porringers, plates, dishes, basins, spoons, measures, flagons, communion cups, teapots, sugarbowls, steins and cream jugs. In the early 19th century, changes of fashion witnessed a decline in the use of pewter flatware, but increased production of both cast and spun pewter tea sets, whale-oil lamps, candlesticks, etc. Later in the century, pewter alloys were often used as a base metal for silver-plated objects.

Pewter vase

Today, pewter is mainly used in decorative objects, namely collectible statuettes and figurines, replica coins, pendants, etc.

• Britannia metal
• English pewter
• American pewter
• Mexican pewter

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Pewter