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In a recent talk to the Society, David Moulson spoke on the history and manufacture of pewter: he studies pewter as well as collects it and advises on it, so we call him an expert. One example of a local pewterer which he gave was RICHARD PARSHOUSE of Alcester, who died in 1684. As it happens, the Society has found in Worcestershire Record Office, Richard's will and attached inventory. He is not styled 'pewterer' but 'brazier' and his inventory suggests that working in lead and tin (the constituents of pewter) took second place to working in brass. It was a trade, evidently, which provided a good living for his family, for his inventory total was £735, a not inconsiderable total for 1684.
Here is the piece of his inventory relating to his working goods (the 17th century spelling has been put into modern usage).
Brass candlesticks and mortars £2.4.0. |
Raw kettles £30. |
Hiring flagons £12.9.0. |
Old bell brass £5.3.0. |
Sad ware £.16.16.0. |
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Old iron £10.7.0. |
Old trifle metal £3.18.0. |
Old platter metal £7.6.0. |
Spoon metal £5.10.0. |
New wired kettles £54.0.0. |
Yellow brass £4.10.0. |
Old shruffe £40.14.0. |
Cast brass pots £12.10.0. |
Old cast brass pots £5.9.0. |
New furnaces £29.0.0. |
New wire kettles £4.0.0. |
Old iron £19.0.0. |
A large brass pot £2.2.6. |
Old wire kettles £1.15.0. |
Lead £3.0 .0. |
Working tools in the brass shop £3.0.0. |
Cast brass mould £10.13.0. |
Pewter wheel and other tools £4 |
At William Bellers
one furnace £2.13.4. |
Chafing dishes and warming pans and other bright ware £11.10.0. |
Bells and other things £6.0.0. |
Warming pans £2.0.0 |
The room in which these things were found is not described but in Richard's wife's inventory a year later they are 'in the ware shop'. However, from the articles described it is obvious that many have been completed and are on display for sale. Some terms are beyond modern comprehension but the O.E.D. perhaps has the meanings
Additional information
PEWTER FACTFILE
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| Pewter | Charles Hull | Shire Publications |