Expert: Martin G Roberts - 3/1/2009

Question
I recently purchased the above cup at a flea market.  It is a cup that stands approx 5 inches tall and at the top measures 5.5 inches and at the bottom is 3.5 inches.  On the bottom of the cup it has three stamps in the pewter: on stamp is a lion looking animal, the other is on engraved L or T and the other stamp reads E P U on the top of a small circle, inside the same circle is the number 109 and on the bottom of the circle is Europe (at the bottom of the circle is another small box the reads pewter.  The top of the cup is a lovely pewter rim... generally simple cup in design. Any thoughts.  thanks, Harry

Answer
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Hello Harry,

EPU = European Pewter Union, a trade organisation formed in 1979, giving an earliest possible date for your cup. They have a website at: www.europeanpewter.org

The other marks I cannot identify without seeing them, but obviously they will be modern. 109 identifies the EPU member company - in this case Artigiana del Peltro (literally, Pewter Craftsman) of Italy.

As a general rule, if the word "pewter" appears on a piece, then it will have been made after about 1900.

Hope that helps.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk