708 PEWTER AND THE REVWAL OF ITS USE. 



to the work of Messrs. J. P. Kayser & Sons, IVIessrs. Walters Scherf 

 & Co., and Messrs. Lichtinger & Co. The present aim of the German 

 pewterers seems to make for rather different results in certain details 

 than with our designers, the ornament being made sharper and 

 higher in relief, and the excess of antimony, or some similar alloy, 

 used enables them to execute this kind of casting with great facility. 

 As compared with goods made in this country the surface manipula- 

 tion and finish of German goods is often more careful and satis- 

 factory. On the other hand, our alloys are much less brittle, our 

 work flatter and broader in treatment, and thus, it will, I think, be 

 found that our designs and methods are more suitable to the capa- 

 bilities of the metal, and are therefore better calculated to per- 

 manently advance the pewter industry. 



As for the lines on which to advance, it should be remembered 

 that for historic mansions and houses where the apartments are 

 furnished after the style of the Renaissance, and wherever magnifi- 

 cence is fitting and desired, a rich and sumptuous arra}^ of costly 

 silver plate is doubtless in harmony with its surroundings; but for 

 the majority of households I venture to think that pewter is equally 

 desirable for the many decorative adjuncts of refined and restful 

 furnishing, and the more particularly as it can be obtained at modest 

 cost. On this latter point we are continually being told that objects 

 of art should not be regarded as luxuries, but should be easily attain- 

 able by rich and poor alike. Everything, therefore, which tends 

 toward the production of useful and beautiful objects at prices 

 within the reach of all classes should be welcomed. And herein, 

 perchance, in these days of culture, are to be found the future possi- 

 bilities of pewter, for its soft neutral tone and subdued luster har- 

 monizes with an}' scheme of decorative coloring. Those, too, who 

 object to the use of electroplate as an imitation of silver may be 

 content to accept equally good forms in solid pcAvter in its place, 

 while those who are already the fortunate possessors of treasures 

 in pewter may contemplate with equanimity the advent of the 

 burglar. 



The manufacturer, however, realizes that as by a process of 

 natural evolution jx'wter has ousted wood from the kitchen, so china 

 in its turn has inevitably supphinted pewter. The fact must be 

 sciuarely faced by liim. therefore, that it is useless to reproduce the 

 large majority of those many fascinating forms in old pewter, where 

 the jiurposes Avhich brought them into being are noAv attained by 

 the substitution of other and more a[)propriate wares. For instance, 

 however l)eautiful theii- form and patina, it would be absolutely 

 useless to tempt a modern housewife to i)urchase pewter ])lates and 

 vessels for tea and table use, now that spotless and (hiinty white 



