From South of the Border - Silver Sunday

I'm back again for Silver Sunday hosted by Gypsy Fish Journal !

Last week I showed you the tea set I inherited from my in-laws that was

from the Great Depression in the 1930's.  This week it is pewter again,

but this time from Mexico.  Mexican pewter is often mistaken for silver from

a distance because of its very high shine factor.  You can purchase

these pieces very inexpensively from shops and street vendors alike.

Mexican pewter is different than the pewter we are all familiar with.

While the term pewter covers a range of tin-based alloys, the term English pewter has

come to represent a strictly-controlled alloy, specified by BSEN611-1 and British

Standard 5140, consisting mainly of tin (ideally 92%), with the balance made

up of antimony and copper. Significantly, it is free of lead and nickel. Although

the exact percentages vary between manufacturers, a typical standard for

present-day pewter is approximately 91% tin, 7.5% antimony and 1.5% copper.

  

From the 15th century onwards, the composition of English pewter was

carefully protected by the Worshipful Company of Pewterers in London.

The Company required that the finest quality English pewter contain at

least 94% tin, with the balance made of other metals including lead. Lead

was removed from the composition in 1974, by BS5140, reinforced by

the European directive BSEN611 in 1994.

Until the end of the 18th century, the only method of manufacture was

by casting and the soldering of components. From the last quarter of the

18th century, improvement in alloys and techniques allowed objects to be

made from pewter by stamping and spinning.

Mexican pewter is non-toxic, tarnish-resistant and LEAD-FREE aluminum alloy.  

All the beauty without the expense or maintenance of silver.  These are some of

the pieces I have brought back from our trips to Mexico.

I think if you've followed me here on The Little Round Table at all, you probably know that

I love Fiesta dinnerware in all its various colors both vintage and that produced since its

reintroduction in 1986.  You can most likely understand the little skip my heart made when

I spied this look alike pitcher in a pewter workroom in Mexico. I snatched it up and

promptly paid for it!

The real thing and this cute look-alike!

There are an endless number of trays and bowls to choose from, its a difficult decision.  This

detail from the handles of one of my trays is picking up the reflection from the green Fiesta

pitcher and almost looks like it is embellished with emeralds!

Detail from one of my favorite little bowls.

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