Pewter
Just What is it?
Pewter is a metal alloy made principally from tin and a small amount of copper and antimony, which acts as hardening agents. Inferior forms has lead added to it, and that will give it a bluish tint. The name may have come from the another name for zinc, which is spelter.
What is it made of?
Now that you know what it is made from, I'm sure you'd like to know what it is used for.
It was commonly used as tableware and ornaments. It was popular since the 1400s, especially in Britain.
However the introduction of glassware and other metals in the 18th and 19th centuries have replaced its importance as tableware.
Its main use today is as a semi-precious alloy, particularly for making elaborate ornaments.
Collectiables
Tankards, both lidded and unlidded were very common in the 17th and 18th centuries. So were cutlery, plates and teapots. Later it was used as a base metal for silver plated things.
Apart from being more environment friendly and safer to use, being lead free it is also easier to clean and does not get oxidized so easily. It is probably the 4th most valuable alloy after platinum, gold and silver.
Some of the modern collectiables include:
- pewter wine stoppers
- goblets
- charms
- wine goblets
- mark
- antique
- collectibles
- tankard
- figurines
- pendant
Let's visit The Royal Selangor Pewter Showroom and learn more about its uses today.
How to make Pewter?
These are some of the steps used to make it:
Casting
There are 2 methods of casting:
- Using iron molds to produce a single cast. Molten form is poured through a channel called a 'gate' into a pre-heated iron cast for a smoother finish. It is then cooled and the cast is set with the cutting off of the 'gate'.
- Using rubber moulds and centrifugal machines. This method is preferred for smaller and more detailed ornaments.
Cutting and Polishing
From the iron mould, it is first cut and then mounted on a turning disc. It is then further cut and polished with hand tools and coarse abrasives.
Soldering
Parts of it are joined togther using soldering techniques. The peices to be joined are heated and fused together skillfully. A good joint is naturally strong and suprisingly unnoticible.
Quality Control
Quality control is very stringent to ensure that no defective unit leaves the factory.
How to look after it?
It has a silvery look and when cared for will retain its luster for a very long time with minimal effort.
How to clean pewter
- always wash it by hand in warm soapy water, rinse it and use soft cloth to dry it to prevent water stains
- always keep it clean
- wash it immediately after use
- do not place it close to a heat source as it has a low melting point
Once you learn how to clean it, it will last you a very long time.
How to polish Pewter
Use a good silver polish and a soft cloth to wipe the shining surfaces of the pewter.
Satin Pewter
Pewter needs to be polished with fine steel wool every few years to bring back the shine. Fine steel wool may easily be obtainable at most hardware shops.
Follow along the grain (which is visible when you start rubbing) and apply ample pressure while rubbing. You will find that polishing it quickly brings back the lustre which will last for a few more years.
Oxidized type
This is the care free type. You only need to hand wash it occasionally. It gets darker with time, giving it an antique look.
Engraving?
One of the best ways to enhance its value is to engrave it, especially if you are giving it away as a souvenir or gift. It makes excellent gifts for weddings, birthdays, promotions, house warming and graduations among some of the occassions to present it.
Combinations with other material?
It can be enhanced by plating with gold or blended with fine wood.
Terminology
The British Standard 5140 defined it as an alloy of onsisting mainly of tin, mixed with a small amount of copper and antimony. The best regarded standards specifies that at least 94% of its composition must come from tin. To meet the standards, it must also be lead free. This alloy is also sometimes referred to as the Britannia metal or Britannium. The Oscar statuettes given out during the Annual Academy Awards and the America Cup uses this alloy.
Royal Selangor
Malaysia is today the largest producer and exporter of this alloy in the world. And that is not surprising as it is essentially tin and we do have an abundance of it here. Of the many factories in Malaysia, the largest and best known is the Royal Selangor.
