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English pewter
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<p>While the term <a href="/facts/Pewter/6nKw3xr2">pewter</a> covers a range of <a href="/facts/Tin/obW9mqc3">tin</a>-based alloys, the term English pewter has come to represent a strictly-controlled alloy, specified by BSEN611-1 and <a href="/facts/British_Standard/BI8HMUjL">British Standard</a> 5140, consisting mainly of tin (ideally 92%), with the balance made up of <a href="/facts/Antimony/YsA7lVgT">antimony</a> and <a href="/facts/Copper/I8PEE8oX">copper</a>. Significantly, it is free of <a href="/facts/Lead/EYljasJN">lead</a> and <a href="/facts/Nickel/KwMCHYRP">nickel</a>. Although the exact percentages vary between manufacturers, a typical standard for present-day pewter is approximately 91% tin, 7.5% antimony and 1.5% copper. </p><p>By the 15th century, the <a href="/facts/Worshipful_Company_of_Pewterers/tNzgqhnm">Worshipful Company of Pewterers</a> controlled pewter constituents in England. This company originally had two grades of pewter, but in the 16th century a third grade was added. The first type, known as "fine metal", was used for <a href="/facts/Tableware/fsIHo0nA">tableware</a>. It consisted of tin with as much copper as it could absorb, which is about 1%. The second type, known as "trifling metal" or "trifle", was used for <a href="/facts/Holloware/lTtRSSQY">holloware</a>. It is made up of fine metal with approximately 4% lead. The last type of pewter, known as "lay" or "ley" metal, was used for items that were not in contact with food or drink. It consisted of tin with 15% lead. These three alloys were used, with little variation, until the 20th century. </p><p>Lead was removed from the composition in 1974, by BS5140, reinforced by the <a href="/facts/European_directive/KS076mKR">European directive</a> BSEN611 in 1994. </p><p>Until the end of the 18th century, the only method of manufacture was by <a href="/facts/Casting_(metalworking)/7mMSBWTs">casting</a> and the <a href="/facts/Soldering/fod6dLHD">soldering</a> of components. From the last quarter of the 18th century, improvement in alloys (e.g. <a href="/facts/Britannia_metal/ydD0lhmI">britannia metal</a>) and techniques allowed objects to be made from pewter by <a href="/facts/Stamping_(metalworking)/deH1hLWX">stamping</a> and <a href="/facts/Metal_spinning/k6bKnzUy">spinning</a>. </p>