Expert: Martin G Roberts - 10/7/2007

Question
Hi Martin!
My Dad gave my Mum a pewter watering-can sort of thing that looks Indian-inspired in 1988 and it has 7 stamps on its base and 2 on its handle. I worked out the crowned x and the crowned rose, that etain means 'tin' in french, and that the thistle is from Edinburgh Scotland (I think), so that's 4. Then there is a tree with a horizontal 8 going through the trunk which could be a variation on one of Glasgow's hallmarks (tree with fish through trunk). That's 5. Then there is an arrow pointing upwards with an E and S either side and I can make out a 17 under the E, and this mark is on the handle also. The 7th mark is a circle with '97%-tin-etain-zinn' written inside, then another circle with LPC PEWTER written, then another one with an elephant inside. The last one, on the handle, is 2 stamps side by side. I can't really make them out, but the first one looks like an animal of some sort and the second is a triangle with dots on each line (I think!). So I don't know what the last three mean, but I would really like to find out what they do all mean! I don't think it's an antique, it doesn't really look like one, but it is pretty. So if you happen to know anything about the last three stamps, or any of them for that matter, I would greatly appreciate it if you could let me know! Thanks! Elisabeth Willis

Answer
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Well done with your sleuthing so far!

Modern. Most pieces that actually have the word "pewter" marked on them were made after 1900. This one dates from c1970 or later.

97% refers to the proportion of tin in the alloy.

zinn is German for tin.

Hope that helps.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk