Expert: Martin G Roberts - 7/22/2007

Question
Dear Mr. Roberts,
 First I'd like to thank you for taking the time to volunteer your expertise. I am a novice on the computer, so if the composition of the letter is off, I apologize. Also, I have no clue as to whether this piece is old. It came from a rummage sale and was purchased as  a gift for a loved one, simply because it is unusual for this area. I like to provide a provenance (sp.?) on oddities, when possible. Description as follows...
 Approximately 7 and 3/4 inches across. Medium gray, matte or satin type sheen of the same style as labelled pewter on other items. Round with five scalloped indents around edge....have seen this type of plate (?) on auction sites listed as ashtray (indents); being a reformed smoker, don't see that it would be a good place to rest a cig. In middle of bowled area is a scaly lizard type creature, tail tucked between its legs, head turned around looking behind itself, one front leg raised as if getting ready to move forward. Creature is 3 and 1/4 inches long, 2 and 1/4 inches tall. The salamanders that grew around my family farm were smooth; this has 'scales' and a ridged area along its spine. Above creature's head is a five pointed crown measuring 1 and 3/4 inches across. To the left, right, and above the crown are stylized clumps of what appear to be flames. Creature is on a bed of what looks like small rocks; in front and behind it is another clump of flames. Everything I have just described is raised from surface of this dish.
 Border running around edge consisting of indented area and raised lines, not quite half an inch wide: between this and creature are ten indented clumps of flames, roughly half inch by inch.
 On back of dish, above the flames that are above the crown that is above the creature's head, a holder is affixed for hanging on the wall....don't know if it's glued or soldered, was afraid it would break off if I pried at it for a better look. Beyond that on outside border is a square, one quarter inch by one quarter inch. Below that square is the word ETAIN. Inside the square is an outline, very simple, of a castle-looking edifice, possible turrets on left and right. In the border between the building and the edge of the square, are words.....to the left of bldg. PARIS: above the bldg. ETAINS: to the right of bldg. FRANCE: below bldg. DUMANOIR..........square, bldg., and words are all indented.
 If this is not an antique, collectible, or interesting, I apologize for the taking of your time. Any info you could pass on will be greatly appreciated.
Have a lovely summer, and thanks again.

                                                                                 Sincerely,
                                                                                  Cat  

Answer
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Well, that is certainly more polite than most messages I get! Most just say something like: "got some pewter, what's it worth". Congratulations on such a detailed and entirely lucid explanation - I know exactly the type of plate you mean.

Your plate is pewter, made in the late 19th or (more likely) the early 20th Century, in France. Etain is French for tin, which is the principal constituent of pewter, and their word for the alloy. Du Manoir may mean "of the manor", which mirrors some English marks of the same sort of period.

A purely decorative piece, and barely antique. The style of plate with a scalloped edge is referred to by collectors as a 'wavy-edged' plate.

The raised design in fact is a salamander, albeit stylised, which in mythology is immune to fire. The crowned salamander amongst fire was a symbol of King Francois I of France, who ruled in the 16th Century. This piece is not that old though, merely referencing that symbology for decorative effect.

Hope that helps.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk