Expert: Martin G Roberts - 8/21/2006

Question
If the paint was applied after all the markings, wouldn't the
recessed areas fill in? The marks are all sharp around the edges
and the recessed areas are not filled in. Also, You mentioned
this was made around 1870. I thought James Yates was in
business between 1800-1840. Finally, can you give me a value
on this piece? It's in very good condition.
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Followup To

Question -
I have a 3 1/2" pewter tankard by James Yates that is painted.
There is clear evidence the paint was applied before James Yates
stamped his name next to the handle along with 1/2 pint. The
color is very dark, like gun metal. On the bottom there is a mark.
It looks like three pears with an inscription around it that I can't
make out. Can you tell me more about it?

Answer -
-

Made in Birmingham, England, around 1870. James Yates was
the largest manufacturer of pewter mugs and measures (tankard
is a term used for drinking vessels with lids) of the period, and
his wares are very, very common. Never seen a painted example
- they certainly did not paint them in the workshop, and I think
it vanishingly improbable that it was painted before the maker's
mark was applied. The pears mark is a capacity verification
applied in Worcestershire - a county only a few miles from
Birmingham.  

Answer
-

James Yates is given incorrect dates in Cotterell's Old Pewter (1929), which is the source of the 1800-40 dates. Research in trade directories and local archives has absolutely established his working dates (as sole proprietor, using just his own name) as 1860 to 1881 (when he died). He was involved in partnerships prior to this, from 1837 to 1860, but those partnerships did not use the "James Yates" mark. After his death, his business was sold to another pewtering firm, who continued to use the "James Yates" mark until at least 1899. See Homer & Hall's Provincial Pewterers (1985) for details.

Thick paint will not fill narrow punched marks unless pushed in - there is no mystery in the marks not being filled. If the marks were punched after painting, you would expect evidence of this violent punch in the paint around the edges of the marks - there will be none, because it was not painted in the workshop. Someone painted in the last 100 years, just for fun.

Nothing rare or unusual about this, and the painting detracts, rather than enhancing. Value a few dollars. Good luck on eBay. Please don't ask me to check your research in future without first telling me what research you have done - it is deceitful to approach things otherwise.