Pewter

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