HOW IS PEWTER MADE?
There are several processes that go into the production of a piece of fine pewter. These processes include casting, turning, and fabricating. Casting of figural pieces, handles, finials, and other decorations involves melting the metal and pouring it into molds. The traditional molds were made from wood, stone, clay, sand, or metals like bronze or iron. We use these materials as well as modern molding compounds. Turning is the art of taking a flat disc of pewter and, with the use of a lathe, making a bowl, plate, or cup. The flat piece of pewter is pushed into shape over a wooden form, using wooden tools. Fabricating refers to all the ways pewter pieces are assembled or altered, including soldering, cutting, pressing, polishing, and finishing. All these processes are done by hand at ASL Pewter, much as they were accomplished centuries ago.
