Object

Pewter Mug

Date:	c. 1790
Dimensions:	4.87" H 3.5" W
Creator:	Robert Bush

About this artifact

Easy to work and far less costly, pewter was a popular alternative to silver in the 18th and 19th centuries. This drinking mug, with its scrolled handle and footed base in a so-called tulip shape, was typical of the export ware made in England for the American market. Pewter, an alloy of tin, copper, bismuth, antimony, and sometimes lead, contained metals unavailable in this country. Therefore, domestic pewter was made from used and damaged pewter that was melted down and recast.