"OLD PEWTER."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20958, 22 August 1931, Page 17

"OLD PEWTER."

ADDRESS BY COLLECTOR. " Old Pewter" was the subject of an interesting address by Mr. W. J. P. Hodgkins at a meeting of the Arts' Society in the society's rooms, Victoria Arcade, last evening. The president, Dr. E. B. Gunson, introduced the speaker. " Pewter was interwoven in the domestic life of England from the early Edwards to the Georges, although the Romans when in England in 200 to 300 A.D. were also known to liave pewter utensils," the speaker said. The year 1780 marked the decline of the pewter craft when the manufacture of other showy metals and china became an established fact. Owing to its value not being realised a-ruthless destruction of pewter took place about this period. A description of the methods of making pewter, which are still being used at the present day, was given by Mr. Hodgkins, who said that there were four grades of pewter. '' The modern innovations which have replaced pewter make cue realise what an enormous industry it was in England and Europe," Mr. Hodgkins said. At the conclusion of his address Mr. Hodgkins showed many pieces of ; old and valuable pewter to the audience, explaining their origin. He was curdi- | ally thanked by Dr. Oumwi.