Tin spoon: history, caring for pewter

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Today, few people can imagine that once there were no cutlery and people ate with their hands. Picking up a spoon or fork, people do not think about how important this item was in the old days. As for the pewter spoon, it has its own story.

Spoon Appears

The first spoons appeared in ancient times and were originally made from clay, shells, shells, horns, wood, etc.

The first golden spoons appeared in Ancient Rome with noblemen. The Egyptian nobility used ivory spoons adorned with precious stones. In Europe, they used mainly wooden ones.

And only in the 15th century did copper spoons become popular. But roy alty and aristocrats continued to use cutlery made of expensive metals - gold and silver.

By the end of the 18th century, old bronze and pewter spoons were no longer a sign of we alth, but were available in almost every family.

History of tin

Tin is one of the seven metals of antiquity. It was used to make various items.household and utensils. However, before tin was mined in its pure form, people knew only an alloy of this metal with copper, which was called bronze. Moreover, according to scientists, tin began to be used even before iron. And in ancient times, this metal was considered more expensive than gold.

The properties of tin make it possible to use it in various fields of human activity. But he occupied a special niche in the food industry.

Pewterware

Over time, not only glasses, cups and tureens, but also other cutlery began to be made from tin. For example, a tin spoon was already in many families. It was made by special craftsmen who did all the work by hand.

Pewter utensils themselves are not made from pure tin. Antimony, copper or lead are added to the composition. There was a special "Nuremberg test", according to which the foundry masters created pewter utensils. That is, only 1 part of lead was added to 10 parts of tin.

It was because of the presence of lead in the composition that it was previously believed that such dishes were unhe althy. However, in fact, such kitchen utensils are the most valuable after gold, silver and platinum. In addition, this metal does not rust, which makes it especially attractive. Over time, it becomes even better and more expensive, as it becomes covered with patina.

By the way, casting is considered one of the advantages of making pewter. If other metals had to be forged or minted utensils, then pewter was only cast in specialforms.

Another advantage of tin utensils is its safety. Items such as a pewter spoon, cup, plate and others have absolutely no effect on the smell and taste of food.

There is an interesting Napoleonic legend that claims that the battle of 1812 was lost because Napoleon's army had pewter sets of forks and spoons, just like the buttons on their uniforms. And since tin is "afraid" of severe frosts, when the French commander with his army ended up in Russia, under the influence of low temperatures, the buttons and dishes of the soldiers crumbled to dust. Then they began to call this property "tin plague".

Cutlery care

It is believed that pewter is capricious in everyday life, as it requires very careful handling.

1. It is absolutely not dishwasher safe.
2. Do not use cleaning products, especially abrasives.
3. Do not use hard sponges or, moreover, tin nets for washing, as they can scratch the surface of products.

You must immediately rid the dishes of food debris so that they do not affect the metal, rinse in warm water and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth, preferably with a pile.

If the pewter objects have darkened after some time, they can be polished with special cleaners for silver and brass. They will remove corrosion and discoloration.

Yes, and in the end, you will not use such dishesdaily, except perhaps only on holidays or at the arrival of guests. Therefore, you will not often have to look after her.

Gift pewter

A tin spoon, goblet, tureen or any other item would be the perfect and expensive gift for someone's 10th wedding anniversary. Since 10 years of marriage lived together are called tin. Such products will be a very symbolic gift, which will show your attention and respect for this couple.