Expert: Martin G Roberts - 1/13/2009

Question
I have a pewter plate that is very silvery looking, it measures 9 inches around, has a flat 1 1/2 inch rim and looks as if it has been hammered.  The touchmark is a rose with a crown on top and underneath I can read a partial name of -GRACK or GRACE-- and underneath of that word is either a smaller word or date.  To the left of the rose/crown is a crowned X and to left of both marks is another touchmark of a small eagle facing left standing on top of a boxed in word that partly looks like "king".  On the front of the plate on the rim it looks like there is either another mark or a finger/thumb print.  The plate has small patches of black and I would like to know how I might remove it as well as who have made the plate and its approximate date.  Thank you so very much!!
Paula Kelch

Answer
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Hello Paula,

Your plate bears the marks of one of the Richard King's, London pewterers, father and son, who were active from 1714 until the late 18th Century. The mark with KING features an ostrich with wings displayed, and holding a horseshoe in its mouth - this is a known heraldic device, though I cannot tell you what, if any, significance it had to the Kings. The other mark is a crowned rose - a common mark on plates of the 18th Century - with GRACIOUS STREET below. That was the address of their workshop, though the name of the street was more commonly rendered as Gracechurch Street.

If the rim is entirely plain, without any grooves on the edge, then this plate could date anywhere from about 1720 to the 1790s.

The black probably is oxide that has taken tens or hundreds of years to develop, and is good proof of age. It is not always desirable to remove such patination, and doing so is a specialist task, so it is probably best to leave it as is.

The Kings were prolific makers and important exporters, and their wares are commonly found in North America as well as in Britain.

Hope that helps.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk