English Pewter 1603-1850
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Glasgow Museums has a small collection of pewter made in England during the period 1603-1850, including objects such as plates, jugs, beakers, tankards, and spoons. Pewter is an alloy of tin. During the seventeenth century and into the early eighteenth century, pewter was commonly used to produce domestic wares for everyday use, often in the home, taverns, or even for religious purposes. By the eighteenth century, there was a decline in use of pewter as the popularity of silver and ceramic plate grew for those who could afford such luxuries. Pewter was an easy alloy to cast, and to engrave due to the softness of the metal. Some early pewter wares contained lead added to the metal mixture which, although helped the casting process, also made the pewter poisonous. The collection of English pewter contains objects from the peak manufacturing period of 1650-1700. This includes to plates commemorating key events of the reign of King Charles II (1630-1685). The first marks the marriage of Charles to Catherine of Braganza (1638-1705) in 1662 and is one of less than 20 of this type of plate known. The second dish is engraved with scenes commemorated in the Great Fire of London of 1666, and the subsequent rebuilding of the city. These objects were donated to the city of Glasgow in 1944 by Sir William Burrell (1861-1958) and his wife, Constance, Lady Burrell (1875-1961).
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