Centuries of character. A beautiful place in your home today.
There is something wonderfully atmospheric about old pewter, especially when it could be over 300 years old. Its soft silver-grey colour, gentle lustre and timeworn surface bring warmth and depth to a room—especially when they catch the glow of candlelight.
This handsome antique plate belongs to that long tradition. Probably British and dating to the late 17th or 18th century, it carries an intriguing collection of struck marks and engraved initials. Its story may reach back to the closing years of the 1600s, although its precise maker and date remain unconfirmed.
Imagine the generations that have passed since it first left the pewterer’s workshop. Tables laid, meals shared, households changed—and this quietly enduring plate surviving through them all. Today, its broad plain rim and beautifully restrained shape feel remarkably at home among contemporary furnishings.
Turn it over and another chapter begins.
The reverse bears an elaborate, worn shield-shaped maker’s touchmark, with a partly legible name above; a crowned-X quality mark; a group of smaller pseudo-hallmarks; and large engraved ownership initials, apparently BH, accompanied by further small stamped marks.
These are the fascinating signatures of the pewter trade and of the people who owned and used its wares. The crowned X belongs to a marking tradition introduced towards the end of the 17th century to denote harder pewter alloys. The smaller punches echo the appearance of silver hallmarks, while the engraved initials offer a personal connection to an owner whose identity is now lost.
The marks are worn and invite further research. We have left the maker unattributed rather than give this intriguing survivor a name that cannot yet be supported.
And what a lovely new life it can have.
Picture it beside a glowing log burner, supporting a tall glass hurricane candle surrounded by fir sprigs, pine cones and a few treasured Christmas baubles. Its mellow surface catches the light, grounding the arrangement with the beauty that only old metal can bring.
Change the seasons and change the display: miniature pumpkins and russet leaves in autumn, decorative eggs in spring, or a simple glass vase of garden flowers in summer. Equally lovely displayed upright on a dresser, it brings texture, history and individuality to a modern home.
At 24.5cm in diameter and weighing 495g, it has a pleasing presence without demanding a great deal of space.
Condition and details
An antique with a visibly lived history: surface scratches, scattered pitting, mottled patina and small knocks and irregularities, including a noticeable deformation to the rim. The struck marks and engraved initials show wear. Please examine the photographs, which form part of the description.
* Probably British, late 17th or 18th century * Maker and exact date unconfirmed * Multiple struck marks and engraved ownership initials * Diameter: 24.5cm * Weight: 495g * Offered as an antique decorative piece; use a separate food-safe vessel for food * Plate only; styling accessories are not included
A beautiful survivor from the age of pewter, ready to become part of your own home’s story.
From TicketyBoo Finds – interesting antiques chosen for their character and craftsmanship.