The Worshipful Company of Pewterers offers you the unique opportunity to purchase a replica pair of 17th Century marriage plates from their world famous collection of pewter in their Hall.
From the 16th Century for over 300 years pewter was the predominant material used for producing all manner of domestic wares. In the 17th Century it was often the custom for couples on their wedding day to present each other with a piece of engraved pewter to commemorate this very special and solemn occasion.
The marriage plates dated 1661 are a notable example of this tradition.
The groom's gift to his wife has the engraving around the rim "WHEN THIS YOU SEE REMEMBER MEE" and pictures a horse, a faithful friend, holding an oak leaves and acorns in his mouth, signifying long life and fecundity, and with his tail tied in a love knot.
The bride's gift to her husband has the engraving "IN GOD IS ALL MY TRUST" and shows a swan, depicting grace, purity and fidelity until death, with her neck collared in a loose girdle with a buckle and clasp, denoting a gentle and willing capture. Further love knots or flowers are engraved on each plate.
Although made in considerable quantities, pewter was always expensive. The alloy contains 90% tin, the third most valuable metal after gold and silver. Consequently, many antique pieces of pewter display ownership marks and the original owners of these plates had their initials EP and MP included in the engravings.
This style of engraving was achieved by the freehand use of a small chisel shaped tool, requiring considerable skill by the engraver. This technique, described as wriggle work, has been copied by the use of modern technology.
The original plates, described in 1925 by H H Cotterell, the leading authority on antique pewter, as two of the finest plates in existence, are held in the collection of the Worshipful Company of Pewterers.
The Worshipful Company of Pewterers has commissioned Edwin Blyde & Co. of Sheffield to make replicas of these plates. Each pair of plates will be numbered and come with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by the Master of the Worshipful Company of Pewterers, London.
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