Pewter marks
wev
assistance with the markings. I have some knowledge of silver, but little of
pewter. It has a bulbous body on a molded base very similar in design and
proportion to the pair of Cowper mugs shown in Wyler. The handle, while
plain in decoration, is similar in form, as well. The markings are as
follows:
At the lip edge, hard by the handle, on the drinker's left: four rectangular
cartouches
[CB]
[Britannia enthroned]
[lion passant]
[Tudor rose]
on the drinker's right, same relative position is [PINT] in a shaped
cartouche
The mug is documented to have traveled with an early (possibly first) owner
to Australia c. 1835 and later to San Francisco in 1846 and is marked with
the gentleman's monogram.
I have, with my meager reference material, identified Charles Bowring
(entered 1820) as a possible maker. If anyone can shed light into this small
corner, I would be most appreciative.
wev
gay...@ix.netcom.com
> I am investigating an English pewter mug and would be grateful for
> assistance with the markings. I have some knowledge of silver, but little of
> pewter. It has a bulbous body on a molded base very similar in design and
> proportion to the pair of Cowper mugs shown in Wyler. The handle, while
> plain in decoration, is similar in form, as well. The markings are as
> follows:
Sounds like a cann.
>
> At the lip edge, hard by the handle, on the drinker's left: four rectangular
> cartouches
>
> [CB]
> [Britannia enthroned]
> [lion passant]
> [Tudor rose]
The lion means sterling standard and Britannia was another silver purity
mark used for a short time during the mid to late 1700's (exact dates
would require me getting up from computer). OK, I'm back. 1697 to Modern
times indicating 95.84% pure silver. the only tudor rose hollmark I find
in my book indicates a sheffield mark beginning in 1975. My source was
published in 1975, so that may account for it being the only Tudor Rose.
Are you CERTAIN it's a tudor rose, a sovereign's head would be right for
1835. I can't tell you what I thought things were until I learned what to
look for. <grin>
Ronnie McKinley
>
>The lion means sterling standard and Britannia was another silver purity
>mark used for a short time during the mid to late 1700's (exact dates
>would require me getting up from computer). OK, I'm back. 1697 to Modern
>times indicating 95.84% pure silver. the only tudor rose hollmark I find
>in my book indicates a sheffield mark beginning in 1975. My source was
>published in 1975, so that may account for it being the only Tudor Rose.
>Are you CERTAIN it's a tudor rose, a sovereign's head would be right for
>1835. I can't tell you what I thought things were until I learned what to
>look for. <grin>
>
>
I am somewhat confused here, as WEV's question was in relationship to "Pewter"
English or European pewter contains NO silver. Early pewter was struck with
(touch marks and secondary marks referred to as hallmarks) marks that
sometimes closely copied the silver Hallmark. The Lion on pewter does NOT
indicate silver of any purity ... pewter is an alloy!! Hallmarks on pewter
are little more than a means of identification, and much less informative than
the touches. The hallmarks are generally related to the pewterer not to any
assay office, and sometimes "alone initial/s" are not the pewterer but the
owner.
The pewter "hallmarks" can not be read as we read silver hallmarks, they can
aid to dating and the master (pewterer) yes, but can also be confusing. As the
Goldsmiths of the day protested over the use of the pewter "hallmarks" many
are hidden or placed in difficult to read positions on the piece in question.
As a rule of thumb .... there's normally a 'touch mark' the maker (master) and
then secondary marks (hallmarks) There is usually four "hallmarks" until the
19th century, when occasionally three or five appear. Apart from a brief
period, they are always struck in a line. At first very small and dainty but
grew larger with later times. Rose and crown generally indicates English
(although used in other European countries) the Rose becoming generally
associated with pewter, Scotland of course incorporated the Thistle and
Ireland the Harp, however, hallmarks didn't arrive in Scotland and Ireland
until well into the 18th century.
Wev, you really need to spend sometime in your local library with as many
books on the subject as possible, pewter hallmarks are really confusing and
need lots of research. :)
I have a couple of books on pewter and the author of one recommends further
reference for reading, if you want these references email me, and I will look
the books out given a bit of time ........ Still haven't unpacked after the
move .. another job, someday soon :)
Ronnie
=====
gay...@ix.netcom.com
> In rec.antiques gay...@ix.netcom.com wrote:
> >
>
> I am somewhat confused here, as WEV's question was in relationship to "Pewter"
> English or European pewter contains NO silver. Early pewter was struck with
> (touch marks and secondary marks referred to as hallmarks) marks that
> sometimes closely copied the silver Hallmark. The Lion on pewter does NOT
> indicate silver of any purity ... pewter is an alloy!! Hallmarks on pewter
> are little more than a means of identification, and much less informative than
> the touches. The hallmarks are generally related to the pewterer not to any
> assay office, and sometimes "alone initial/s" are not the pewterer but the
> owner.
>
(Lots of GREAT info snipped....)
You are correct Ronnie; I misunderstood his question (reading late at
night) and thought he "might" have been mistaken about the cann being
pewter. Wev contacted me directly via E-mail to correct my mistakes.
Love all the information I can aquire. So Ronnie, are you saying that the
tudor rose is "basically" used to indicate English pewter?? From when to
when?? I take it from your post that it wasn't universally used. Was the
Tudor Rose EVER used on silver?? (a city mark of some type, perhaps??)
Gaylene
Ronnie McKinley
>So Ronnie, are you saying that the
>tudor rose is "basically" used to indicate English pewter?? From when to
>when?? I take it from your post that it wasn't universally used. Was the
>Tudor Rose EVER used on silver?? (a city mark of some type, perhaps??)
>
Gaylene, as I said pewter marks can not be read as one would read silver
Hallmarks. From the time of the Middle Ages pewterware had pewter marks which,
on the on hand, basically guaranteed the use of stipulated quality material
and, on the other hand, were something in the nature of the craftsman's
signature.
In different countries and regions various symbols were used to indicate the
quality of the pewter ~ but always with a view to the established local
traditions, subject to the regulations in force. Both the Tudor rosette,
originally characteristic of English pewter, and the figure of an angel. so
popular from about 1700, became the universal symbol in later times for good
quality.
In England the Tudor rosette was used from about 1564, in other countries it
varies, do remember, that all of Europe (West and East) Scandinavia and large
parts of Asia produced pewter from early times. Made for the rich as well as
mere utility ware. In early times, a man's wealth was measured by the amount
of pewter he owned.
In America, it is generally accepted that the earliest surviving pewter
products date from the beginning of the 18th century, strongly influenced by
English wares. There were no regulations in the States on the stamping of
pewter. Local pewter marks were more often those of a firm and were considered
a protective mark indicating the quality of the pewter. In America until 1755
the frequent subjects for the touches were the Tudor rosettes with a crown,
lion and unicorn, later that of an eagle was more commonplace. Apart from
these touches between 1750 - 1800 there appeared small hallmarks, deliberate
imitation of silver hallmarks, that were stamped two to four times on the
pewter object.
It is a complex subject and most times, requires piece of pewter in one hand
and book in other hand, at the same time being surrounded by mountains of
other books and that's just to date the pieces :) .... it is unlike silver as
day is to night. >;
Ronnie
=====