Today pewter is a lesser-used metal around the home. Made from a mixture of tin, copper, antimony, bismuth and lead it is a malleable metal alloy that has a relatively low melting point compared to other metals. By far the highest base metal content in pewter is tin (in excess of 91% to achieve the quality standard set by the Association of British Pewter Craftsmen) and part of the decline in popularity of pewter is due to the cost of tin. Modern day pewter contains no lead, due to the associated health risks.
The relatively low melting point of the metal of around 250 degrees C meant that casting of items from it were relatively easy. Thus early casting of pewter can found from the Bronze Age and Egyptian tomb relics of around 3,500 years ago have been found. The large deposits of tin ore found in the Far East centred production in this area but the versatility of the metal saw it become popular across Europe too.
By the 12th century pewter had become popular in northern Europe and town guilds established to control the purity of manufacture. It was around this time that ecclesiastical uses for pewter were recognised. But pewter, at least for the wealthier, also served as tableware until replaced by china. Pewter teapots, sugar bowls and cream jugs combined with plates to be a complete dinner service in the 17th & 18th centuries. For drinking purposes pewter tankards were, and still are, popular.
However, mass production of china, glass and steel from the industrial revolution saw the decline of the more expensive crafted pewter. So today pewter is used mainly for quality decorative pieces. We have a selection of miniature pewter items for your dolls house available on our web shop 1:24th scale