Platter 1730 - 1760

This platter was made by Thomas Bacon sometime in the mid-18th century, and it's fashioned from pewter. A humble material, pewter is an alloy consisting mostly of tin, with small amounts of other metals such as copper and antimony added for strength. The silvery surface of the platter results from the polishing it would have received in the workshop. But the scratches and dulling you see now are testament to its use in everyday life. Pewter was a common material for dishware in the 1700s, prized for being more affordable than silver, yet still attractive and durable. The manufacture of pewter objects like this one would have involved casting the molten metal in molds, followed by hand-finishing to refine the shape and surface. Look closely, and you'll see the subtle faceting on the rim. This would have been achieved by a craftsman skillfully using hand tools. Everyday wares like this platter demonstrate how much care was taken to produce even utilitarian objects, and the value placed on skilled hand work.