Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-07
DECORATIVE PEWTER


the nut-brown ale from the plates and
nagons of pewter, v;i;lt their descend
ants would be searching high and low,
collecting far and wide specimens of
these simple utensils to place upon
their walls, mantels and sideboards fo~
decoration and some times use.
Probably but few of us use the
dishes now, marked with dents and
cuts of the knives with which our fore
bears cut their meat, though the mugs
and flagons are constantly on the
tables of those who drink ale even in
these days, as an expert knows that
from no other receptacle does that
fluid taste as well as from the pint or
quart measure of the olden days. The
forefathers let the pewters stand in
cool spot, brought the ale direct from
the cellar, and to those who liked 1t,
it was a drink thrice welcome to the
thirsty. Bread and cheese and ale was
their ofttimes simple meal, and the
pint pot hanging in the simple bar OF
the ordinary, or standing on the
dresser at home, was in constant de-
mand.
Pewter is capable, in the hands of an
expert, of taking on fine polish, soft
in tone and pleasing to the eye. The
best of the metal has curious con-
~
ing of the thumb and fingers upon 1t,
as one tries for the requisite ripenesS
of an apple. 1t should feel almost soft,
elastic is a better word, and compare
lively like to the surface of the fruit
mentioned.
The pint and quart pots. marked
with their capacity where it has not
been obliterated by the hand of time
and the busy housewife who was proud
of nf
holds full measure, what is now known
as imperial measure.
We are speaking now only or the
pewter to be found in this country,
which is simple and severe in design,
but most decorative on a mahogany
sideboard or dark wainscoting OF din
ing room and hall. Hang the pots on
hooks, stand the tankards and f1agons.
as well as plates and dishes, upon the
shelves or sideboards and the effect
is all that can be desired.
Besides the marks of the knives
upon the dishes, we find the dents of
teeth on the edge of the pot where
the thirty ones may have gripped with
their strong jaws between the political
and possibly religious discussions
which took place. though it is doubt
full judging from what we read, II
the latter were permitted in the early
days.
on many of the smaller mugs, evil
IDENTIFY for the sole use of an individual,
are initials, often accompanied by
design roughly marked with pointed
instrument, as can be seen in one
of the illustrations. Some are more
artistic than others, but all are inter-
esting relics of the time, human doc
uments without a key often to the
identity of the designer or owner.
Whole communion sets are to be
found, severe and almost, If not quite,
stately in shape. These, such as the
writer has seen, consist of tall f1agons,
plates, tumblers, or rather mugs in
tumbler shape, and without handles;
bowls, sometimes, and dishes.
Large dishes. eighteen inches and
more across, deep and shallow, tell
of the valiant trencher men of the
past. These dishes, standing against
a dark mahogany or oak background,
are quite as handsome as any silver
when properly cared for, though they
have not the rejecting power of that
metal.
To those who like to revive the old
customs of Christmas the pewter is
indispensable and when the boar's
head, smoking upon it's wooden trench
er, is placed upon the shining ma
hogany, brought in by an amateur
serving man properly arrayed, the
tankards, mugs. dishes and plates.
which shine upon the dark surface of
the table, make a picturesque sight
as we'll as a realistic reminder Of the
days that are gone and the simple
homely customs and manners of living
which are no more.-Beautiful Homes.