Expert: Martin G Roberts - 1/8/2006

Question
Hi. I have this old pitcher which I believe is pewter.. It is marked on bottom with a circle Austin & Son Cork it has a lion on a crown under that is Imperial and around circle bottom is 94 North Main Street. It is about 7 7/8" high, 4 1/2" in diameter at bottom and top width is about 2 5/8" in diameter. It has a handle which looks applied, but no spout top is just a circle. This pitcher is wide at bottom has a ring by bottom handle then graduates smaller with the top piece getting a touch wider. I am not good at describing the look and would love to send a photo to help identify it, but I am not sure how to do that through this site. I am curious to know it's age, possible value(if you do that) and what it may have been used for.

If possible perhaps you could please tell me about these other pewter pieces....I also have a tiny pitcher about 4" high with spout and cover which opens with a decorative finger piece that looks like acorns the only marking on this is on the cover near spout and it looks sort of like an angel with a scroll, I have no idea how old this is or if it is even British.

I also have a small pitcher which looks hand forged and on bottom it has tiny and uneven dots ( maybe pounded in with a nail) which spell out norge in all caps.

Lastely I have a sugar and creamer set which is short and maybe more modern but I have no idea (so sorry if these don't meet your criteria I don't know anything about pewter); these are marked on the bottom with what looks like a hammer or gavel above the hammer handle is a D and below it closer to head of hammer or gavel is an F.

Thank you so much for any help you can give me identifying these pieces, or perhaps pointing me in a direction to research them. Thanks so much again! This site is a blessing!
MaryAnn

Answer
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The first is a 'haystack' measure. It may be authentic Irish, and could date anytime from 1830 to early 20th century. But most that turn up are reproductions made in the 20th century. I can only advise if you send photos from all angles, and close ups of all marks, to stynt@btopenworld.com. Same goes for the other pieces, as your desriptions do not provide enough detail.