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Hand Made Italian Pewter
Pewter has been manufactured in Italy for many years and continues to enjoy exporting all over the world from companies mostly based in the North of Italy. Italian artisans take pride in the skilled work that has been passed down through many generations making the charm and appeal of pewter greater and greater as time goes on.

 

 

Manufacture

The pewter alloy is formed by melting the metal ingots into the melting pot at the temperature of about 300°C. Whilst the mould is rotating rapidly on the turntable of the centrifugal machine, molten pewter is ladled into the central orifice and is forced by centrifugal force through the runways into the mould cavities. After few minutes the metal cools and solidifies and the as-cast is formed.

The mould is then opened, the casting prised and the spures removed with a strong wire cutter. Subsequently the quality of the metal is brought out by a series of buffing and polishing operations. The surface of the item is smoothed and brightened by putting it into a vibrating tank filled with chips (abrasive inserts). Item is then checked and straightened with special hammers.

 

Story of Pewter

The story of pewter goes back more than 4000 years when men first started using tin combined with copper to produce bronze. Its ancient and widespread use is confirmed by the way it was traded. It was first brought around areas of Asia. Later, when Phoenicians took possession of the seas, it was traded along Spanish and French coasts, to the Isles of the North Sea.

This silvery grey metal is chiefly derived from cassiterite (which takes its name from the Isles Cassiteriti, thought to be the Isles of Scilly, southwest Cornwall). Stimulated by the manufacture of objects in monasteries, in medieval times farmers started to produce all the items they needed. The art of casters soon got respect and consideration.

 


 

Care & Maintenance

By comparison to other metals, pewter does not tarnish and the appearance and finish of our products is unchanged over time without the need for regular polishing. Pewter requires very little attention to be kept in an excellent condition.

Indeed, all that is needed is a careful dusting and periodic washing with lukewarm soapy water by hand. The pewter should then be dried with a soft cloth. If marks do appear, for example due to contact with fruit, we would recommend a polish with the kind of products more normally used to clean silver. Polishes vary depending on region but some well known brand names include Argentil, Sidol and Duraglit. Pewter has a relatively low point of fusion and therefore should not be placed near heat sources. Dishwashers should not be used for washing our pewter products as it could affect the finish and colour. 


 

Hines Pewter

The same family have been creating premium pewterware in Northern Italy for over 40 years. Tradition, creativity and meticulous attention to detail combine to create unique and original objects.

The materials used in the manufacturing process are of the highest quality and our attention to detail in all aspects of our business is meticulous. The pure alloy we use in all our products comprises 95% tin, mixed with a small amount of antimony and copper. The complete absence of lead ensures that our pewter products are completely non-toxic and perfectly safe for use in eating and drinking, complies perfectly to the EEC and USA regulations about food and beverage contact.

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MORE ABOUT US

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