History of Pewter
- Pewter first used in the Bronze Age in the Near East
- Earliest known piece found in an Egyptian tomb, c.1450BC
- Used by Egyptians and Romans for decorative items and tableware
- Extensive use in Europe from the Middle Ages until the 18th and 19th centuries
- Decline in daily use due to mass production of pottery, porcelain, and glass
Types of Pewter
- Antiquity pewter was tin alloyed with lead and sometimes copper
- Older pewters with higher lead content are heavier and tarnish faster
- Modern pewters are lead-free due to the toxicity of lead
- Typical European casting alloy contains 94% tin, 1% copper, and 5% antimony
- Asian pewter contains a higher percentage of tin, usually 97.5% tin, 1% copper, and 1.5% antimony
Properties of Pewter
- Pewter can be manipulated through casting, hammering, turning, spinning, and engraving
- Soft at room temperature, which affects the clarity of its ring
- Hardens when cooled in liquid nitrogen, but becomes more brittle
Related Terms and Concepts
- Britannia metal
- English pewter
- Spin casting
- Solder
- Pewtet
Additional Resources
- Pewter Casting Alloys by Kathryn Richardson
- Pewter by Northern Smelters
- What is pewter? - The Pewter Society
- How to Identify Pewter Marks by gauk Auctions
- Competitive Figure Skating FAQ: Rules and Regulations by www.frogsonice.com
Pewter Data Sources
| Reference | URL |
|---|---|
| Glossary | https://harryandcojewellery.com.au/blogs/glossary/pewter |
| Wikipedia | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pewter |
| Wikidata | |
| Knowledge Graph | https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/0gd79 |