New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-04

> The NClfeClTS or OLD pewter is an amiable and
rational fad-"taste' Mr.. Bell prefers to call it
HIS book viii be welcomed by all who are in
teres,ed In The subject, either as collectors or
merely from an academic point Of view He does
not claim 70 throw any light on the art of
the ancient stanners, spelterers and pewterers
but simply 10 have made a convenient cou1pila-
ton from he works Of other writers arranged
r. The form OF an historic and artistic discus
sion, illustrated with photographs OF a great
number q interesting specimens from various
important collections. While these pictures will
perhaps form the chief attraction OF the yolurn,
10 the tyre. even as they certainly Will to the
expert Nj. Bel has rendered q distinct service
n presenting n agreeable and entertaining fash
ion the main points OF available knowledge in
regard 10 The origin, development and decline OF
pewter ware and in giving many valuable sug-
gestiors IS 70 its collection, approximate identif-
cation and display.
His views. whether original or collated, on the
ar value q pewter pieces are certainly sound
and merit quotation forming norm Of good
taste ty vhl-h the collector who aims for beauty
rather than FOR oddly mere rarity in his
purchases can measure up the examples brought
10 his attention. Writing Of ornamentation, Mr.
bel lays down The broad rule that the less there
is u Il The better.
GOOD pewter should rely FOR its decorative effects
or us structural Incidents The nneneSS of its lines,
IRE elegance ~ Us curves its RICHNESS OF proper
t-- = -t1-ols acapt2uon 10 purpose should be
s--- as t1e moulding on rims, bases strengthen
-s --> should be as simple as possible, and
Tie o-1ar.entat-on should be architectural rather
tt.- s---r---as--e. and this much came httngly
w--r-1 lie province OF he maker. His wares we're
iL-t---- -l- use, and as . consequence for subSe-
saca additions as corlplcafed coatsof-ar1ns IN high
,ris. r -ae miadle Of dish or platter. which were
q pom r"fn he attempt 10 tamper with the
~: "a J, is indeed at least open 10 question
a- r eIsra ~ eie ra4o,5sss vo nF' o ap
Other .-sE-as sgpposed embellishments were the
Tie UNNECESSARY cancellations Of later ignorance and
One reason for the elaborate workmanship in
appropriately bestowed on pewter was undoubt-
edly. Is the author points out, the increasing
range downward in the social scale Of its do
nestle use" which began in the fifteenth CEN
fury. The efforts Of the Weather classes TO in
sure .-- themselves, for II while longer. freedom
from the competition OF the vulgar. leading them
10 adopt q style Of lavish adornment that would
make The cost prohibtive TO the lower orders
During The previous century the use Of pewter
was confined almost exclusively 10 the court,
the nobility and high church dgnitaries In
deed many persons contented themselves with
hiring Their pewter ware instead Of buying II
outright, an Earl Of Northumberland even hav-
ing been IL the habit OF hiring no fewer than
one hundred dozen vessels at a charge Of four
pence dozen per annum- But pewter had
come Z not 10 stay at least 10 do valiant ser
vice for Z while, so that Harrison in his DE
serrtgn Of England in Shakespeare's Time
vas able 70 write:
PIT -ow farmer viii think his gains very small
p toward the end Of ms term he cannot have a
f.r rsru5-n Of pewter on his cupboard, q bowl 10Y
~ q whole neaSty, and q dozen spoons 10
' cornish ~ the suit
The c-aft was jealous in the early days as
were all The other industrial guilds. and was
bound up by many drastic and curious regula-
r.He Working al night on holy days was
forbidden or q penalty OF forty pence for the
fre- offence eighty for the second and the
Mysterious and awesome discretion Of the
Mayor and Aldermen" for the third. The ware
must he duly stamped with the mark or touch"
~ -ae maker and no measures might be sold
r- u-e5 unless sealed. Thus in 1913 Robert
D..eey, Lord Mayor OF London decreed:
That retailers % ale should sell the same IN their
-.a--s ia pots % pewter sealed and opened, ana
t- gaDs1fyer carried ale to the buyer should hoid
f." r.t hand and cup IN the otlefi anu
t-.r az who had pots unsealed should be hheo-
Ir 1872 rules were promulgated compelling
tie makers Of the pewter lids attached TO stone
tr- vessels 10 bring their whole weekly output
eEary "sattordaye" TO the Hall, 10 be stamped
WIFI he mark Of the Hall, as well as with the
makers personal touch. IN Perth the making