Expert: Martin G Roberts - 10/21/2008

Question
I have a 4-inch (10.16 centimeter) diameter pewter wall plate purchased in Munich, Germany 1984. Engraved is a typical city plaza with buildings and "MUNCHEN" prominently engraved on the bottom area.  Outside edge circling hte piece looks like a thin rope weave.  Back side is smooth with an engraved insignia and a round red paper sticker.  The engraved insignia is a cross (looks like an X) that appear as if they might be weapons (not swords).  They look like what guards would carry when protecting a king's quarters at each side of a door. In the X top quarter is a "R", to the left if a "H", the right might be a "T" or a deep scratch.  On both the left and right sides of the X are symbols that I cannot accurately know - they are the shape of a "U" and if my imagination is permitted to folly, they might be symmetrical dragons.  The red paper sticker has thin white mug and handle to put fingers through.  Mug has a top with a thumb knob that would open the mug top.  Above the mug is written "ZINN-GIESSER-INNUNG", below the mug is written "HANDWERKS-SIEGEL".  The writing is printed, not handwritten. The piece has sentimental value only because I enjoyed my travels to Germany. As a student at the time, I know I didn't pay much money  for the piece, I probably bought it at a cheap tourist shop as a very common item.  After so many years, I'm curious if  should care for it better than I have.  It has much patina and dust which I can wipe the dust, but I'm not too concerned about the patina as it will return.  Notwithstanding sentimental value, should I be taking better care of this piece or protecting it in some manner - it's likely you know more about this than I do!  With warm aloha, greetings and mahalo from Maui.

Answer
-

Thanks for your detailed message. It is interesting to hear of such a piece with what appears to be the original paper label. The printing on that label includes "zinn-giesser", which is German for pewterer (literally: tin-caster). The other words suggest a modern craft workshop (handwerks). So that confirms what I have always believed about these pieces - that they are 20th Century souvenir pieces.

As to caring for the piece, in my view pewter is best left to get on with acquiring a patina, so I tend not to do anything at all if I can avoid it. If you want it a bit brighter, then a good metal polish such as Solvol will do the trick. If you want to keep it just as it is, then you could coat it with protective wax (Renaissance Wax is regarded as the best).

Other than that, just leave it alone and enjoy it for what is.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk