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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: amiga on March 08, 2009, 03:42:37 AM
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Ok a friend gave this to me and told me it is pewter. I wondered what it could be used for and I noticed it has 4 leaf clovers and what appears to be a thistle. He says it is old but I only have his word. Any ideas folks. Where was it made?
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Are there any hallmarks or markings on the bottom? Can we get get pics of the top view. I assume it is hallow, like a dish. From the looks of it, I would say you are looking at early to mid 19Th century, kinda has that style to it. Without hallmarks it can be quite the challenge to track it's history.
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I would lean Irish do to the fact' there are four leaf clovers & a thistle showing but commonly good pewter has hall mark's as to the maker.
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I think you have a very beautiful piece. I really, really like it's novelty...and who wouldn't want the extra luck these days?!?!? It appears to be a sugar holder to me. Luck o'the Irish with tea!
I agree that a top producer would have proudly displayed their hallmarks! (Really need markings like the others stated!) which was required in other countries. In this country, early on, it was not essential that pewter be marked by the maker, which opens the chance that it was made here by an Irish descendant or was a custom made piece.
The best way to identify genuinely old pewter is by its surface. Since Pewter is soft, the surface should appear slightly uneven.The piece may look smooth but will feel rough when it is touched due to scratching from daily use. If it isn't real soft, then it may be Brittania (the revised verision of Pewter popular after 1825 developed because pewter can be bent, dented, and scratched easily. It also corrodes and develops tiny pockmarks. It melts if it is placed directly over heat). Britannia resembles pewter so closely that one can be mistaken for the other. It also is an alloy of tin. Britannia was brighter in appearance (still not as gleaming as silver) and more durable. Most Brittania had a B imprinted into the piece.
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Inside photos for those who are interested
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Can you give a bottom pic?
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Kinda small and narrow for a sugar bowl, I would think, and no sign of lid, or rather looks as if it was not made for a lid. Still kinda trippin on the angle of the handles too. This is the most intresting piece I would say. The size and shape confuses me as do the handles. Which I had more to go, would love to know what it was used for.
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Could be a salt cellar.
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Seeing this from the top view makes a difference! Salt cellars are generally wider and shallower to allow easy access for fingers...so I rule that out. Sugar bowls don't always stay connected with their tops...so that didn't throw me off....but the narrowness is interestingly small in appearance. Pewter items were also made for dressing tables....but I still can't figure out even an item, except a holder for hatpins which was common....wait to see the dimensions.
#1 Please give the dimensions of the item. Include the side to side of the opening.
#2 One more pic please, of the bottom
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Ok guys here it is. The pewter thingy is 40mm deep 130mm in length. I have included better pics including match box for reference. I have also taken pics of the base as requested. I have paid particular attention to one area that is the only area that may or may not be a mark (but I think not) I hope this helps with your pondering and unless you need to know what Im wearing I have no further info lol lol. Please can you look again at my typewriter question as well as I would like a value on it...pretty please.
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I now have to agree with cogar...and believe that it is a salt cellar...that is to be used with a salt spoon! $15 to $25
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Thanks all, you are wonderful :)