A material record / Metal
Pewter
A soft grey alloy made mostly of tin, once the everyday metal of plates, tankards and candlesticks.
01 / Origin
Where it comes from.
Pewter is an alloy made mostly of tin, hardened with small amounts of other metals such as copper, antimony or lead.
In Britain it has been made since Roman times. After a long gap the craft returned in the twelfth century, and by the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries pewter was found in nearly every household. In 1474 Edward IV granted the London pewterers a charter that gave them legal control of pewter making in England.
In the Atlas: United Kingdom
02 / Colour
The colours it gives.
Sampled from the material, at the numbered points.
A soft grey that spreads light rather than flashing it: raised edges catch a warm pale highlight while hammered hollows read darker.
- 01Highlight
#C1B6AC - 02Body
#706962 - 03Hollow
#47423B
03 / In the studies
Where it appears.
1 study uses it.
Care
Older pewter may contain lead, so keep antique pieces for display rather than food and drink.