Mullingar Pewter How It's made - Wall Plaque

The History of Pewter

The history of Irish Pewter goes back 800 years. The early craftsmen produced the first domestic pewter utensils, consisting mainly of tankards, plates and candlesticks. Around the 12th. century, pewter was only for the wealthy, where it was to be found on the tables of castle halls and in rich merchant's and churchmen's houses. Later the use of pewter spread into taverns and cottages. In the 18th and 19th centuries, with the introduction of pottery and glass, pewter use declined but it has seen a more recent revival.

It's now fashionable to buy pewter for everyday use. Pewter is easy to store, never wears out and on special occasions it provides a splendid display.
About the only thing that has changed in pewter manufacture is the materials. Originally pewter was made from a composition of lead and tin. Today, the raw materials consist of 95% tin with the balance made up of copper and antimony. Our pewter products are guaranteed lead-free and quite safe to be used for all kinds of food and drink.