MODERN PEWTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20767, 9 January 1931, Page 4

MODERN PEWTER.

There is a metal being rapidly developed for domestic use which seems likely to occupy the place that silver held in Georgian days. It is modern pewter, and tho first international exhibition in England ol its varied uses has just been held by one of the groat London stores. Modern pewter must not be confused with tho old pewter. Its composition is so different that a different namo is almost necessary. It is, in fact, a new metal which has been brought to our service. Old pewter was an imitator of silver, not a rival. The designs for the rich man's table wero copied in the base metal for the poor man's. The new pewter is much lighter, yot stronger, and, thanks to tho metallurgist, it is for all practical purposes stainless. The recent exhibition showed in a fascinating way how much it has to offer. Much of the English ware on tho market takes the form of tea and coffee services of beaten pewter. Tho designs are simple and well suited to the purpose, as one would expect. Tho object of the beaten surface is to obtain a varied play of light, and, incidentally, to give rigidity. A pewter basin, apparently quite flimsy, can bo dropped on a parquet floor without damage. Pieces with deep regular depressions aro not so effective as those with ft lightly hammered surface suggesting old hand-wrought silver.

Pewter can bo obtained in a dull finish. This finish, which resembles oxidisod sil\er, is best suited to rather severe designs, ornamentation being restricted lo narrow embossed bands Or a little engraving.

Dull pewler is particularly popular in Sweden, but. at least, one English firm is producing excellent, designs in the socalled Cromwellian taste.