Metalware - Pewter Touches

Because pewter contains lead, which is poisonous, the composition of pewter must be controlled so that it does not harm its users. For this reason, pewterware has had marks, called "touches", from as early as the Middle Ages.

The first mention of marks indicating the quality of pewter in England dates from 1474.The oldest marks contain the initials and heraldic device of the locality and/or the coat of arms of the town plus the year the pewterer "opened shop" (not the year of manufacture). A separate mark containing the name of the town was sometimes used.

In 1564, the Tudor rosette was used for the first time on pewter. It came to be regarded, even on pewter made outside England, as an indication that the highest quality metals had been used. From 1694 to the 18th century, items of exceptionally high quality were also marked with an X.

In addition to these marks, from 1635 to the beginning of the 18th century, smaller hallmarks in sets of four, similar to silver hallmarks, were used.

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Metalware - Tin, Pewter & Britannia Metal

Tin has been found in the tombs of ancient Egyptians and was exported in large quantities from Cornwall to ancient Rome. The ancient Egyptians thought that tin and lead were different forms of the same metal.

Lead usually occurs as the mineral galena, which also contains small amounts of silver. The ancient Romans mined galena for the silver, resulting in a superabundance of lead. They used this lead for roofs, coffins, water cisterns and plumbing.

 English pewter tankard (about 1800)

Lead was used in the Middle Ages for architectural decoration and, particularly in England, in roofing and rainwater guttering. In the 17th and 18th centuries, lead garden statues were popular.

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