Scottish Pewter, 1600-1850

Book excerpt: Pewter vessels, plates, and measures were in everyday use in homes, churches, and commerce from about 1500 until the eventual decline of pewter in the mid-19th century as new materials came into fashion. During its 350-year history, Scottish pewter had its own style and features that distinguished it from English pewter. Based on extensive research, this book describes in detail the characteristics of the metal, the ways in which it was fabricated, and the history of the pewterers' craft, as revealed by archived manuscripts and historical records. Full-color illustrations of all known types of Scottish pewter, including a large number of objects not previously recorded, have been specially commissioned for the book. The text discussion reveals regional variations, and highlights key features to facilitate identification. The names, working dates, and marks of all the major Scottish pewterers are provided in an appendix, together with details of all types of their wares currently known, making it possible to identify and date any pewter object and the town in which it was made. There is also information on the care and conservation of old pewter. This book will become the standard reference work on a neglected but important part of Scottish heritage and will be an indispensable resource for museum curators, collectors, fine art salerooms, and antique dealers.