A Brief History of Pewter

Prized for its workability and beauty, pewter has survived for over 2,000 years. The use of pewter spans all countries and cultures. Over time pewter became the replacement for household items made of clay, leather and wood. By the eighteenth century, pewter was the most prevalent metal in the lives of common people.

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.

Pewter arrived in America with the colonists. However raw materials from England were heavily taxed so pewterers reworked damaged goods from Europe and reclaimed metal to form new items. Noteworthy American pewter designs began to appear between the years 1750- 1850. Some of the recognized pewter masters from that era are: William Will, Robert Bonynge, Samuel Danforth, Peter Young and Parks Boyd.

With the mass production of pottery and china toward the end of the 18th century and the introduction of electroplating, the use of pewter for utilitarian purposes declined. Towards the end of the 19th century The Arts and Craft movement brought a revival in the interest in handcrafted work and a renewed interest in the pewterer’s craft. Today pewter is studied, collected, displayed and treasured.