Pewter tankard
The silver of farmers and townspeople: tankards, plates and dishes of pewter, cast by pewterers in the towns.
Pewter was cheaper than silver and easier to cast. Pewterers were organised in guilds and marked their wares, and in Sweden pewter also received date letters.
Tankards, mugs and plates of pewter were found in both middle-class homes and farmhouses. With the breakthrough of porcelain and earthenware in the 19th century, pewter lost its importance.
Materials: Pewter, often containing some lead
Manufacture: Cast in brass moulds and turned bright; the parts were soldered together.
The soft, grey surface that dents easily.
Marks on the lid or base: town, maker, quality and date letter.
Casting seams and turning marks on the inside.