Mass Properties of Pewter

Pewter

• Pewter is made with tin, antimony and copper. Bronze is a similar alloy that consists of higher levels of copper. The properties of modern pewter are usually 93 percent tin, 6 percent antimony and 1 percent copper, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The manufacturing process of pewter has varied throughout history to include the use of metals such as lead, bismuth and zinc. Higher levels of copper increase strength while higher levels of antimony increasing luster.

Lead

• During the reign of the Roman Empire, pewter was widely used in eating and drinking implements, with lead a key ingredient. Lead continued to be used throughout the high-production years of pewter through to the 17th century. The discovery of lead's hazardous properties, coupled with the rise of antimony and mass-produced glass and chinaware led to the discontinuance of lead as a key element in pewter.

Production

• The production of pewter fell to low levels following the beginning of the industrial revolution in England. Lead-based pewter was difficult to mass produce, leading to the establishment of Britannia pewter using antimony instead of lead. The shinier Britannia pewter could be mass produced more cheaply. By placing a form of pewter within the economic reach of more people, the appeal of pewter to the higher classes of society was reduced, leading to the reduction in production.

Quality

• The quality of pewter alloy production has been strictly controlled since the 14th century in Western Europe when the first pewterer's guild was established to control and promote the pewter industry. In England, King Edward IV granted the pewter industry guild a royal charter in 1432 to maintain a strict control on pewter and the properties of the metal produced. Powers of search were awarded to the guild to allow the production process to be inspected at any time to ensure the correct levels of metals were being used in production.