Made by Self Help groups, FAIR TRADE

Pewter Diagonal Tusk Candle or Ostrich Egg Stand.

African - Pewter Diagonal Tusk Candle or Ostrich Egg Stand.
African - Pewter Diagonal Tusk Candle or Ostrich Egg Stand.
Item# ST9
$90.00

Product Description

African - Pewter Diagonal Tusk Candle or Ostrich Egg Stand.
Size:
Width: 4 inches
Height: 2 inches
Hand Crafted in South Africa

This stand is made in South Africa out of pewter; Shaped like a tusk. Stand does not come with an ostrich egg, the egg is for illustration purposes only.

What is Pewter

Pewter items are often found in churches. Use of pewter was common from the Middle Ages up until the various developments in glass-making during the 18th and 19th centuries. Pewter was the chief tableware until the making of porcelain. Contrary to urban legend, the use of lead-containing pewter tableware was unrelated to the mistrust of tomatoes as a foodstuff in Northern Europe during the 16th century. Mass production of glass products has seen glass universally replace pewter in day-to-day life. Pewter artifacts continue to be produced, mainly as decorative or specialty items. Pewter was also used around East Asia. Although some items still exist, Ancient Roman pewter is very rare.

Un lidded mugs and lidded tankards may be the most familiar pewter artifacts from the late 17th and 18th centuries, although the metal is also used for many other items including porringers, plates, dishes, basins, spoons, measures, flagons, communion cups, teapots, sugar bowls, beer steins and cream jugs. In the early 19th century, changes of fashion witnessed a decline in the use of pewter flatware, but increased production of both cast and spun pewter tea sets, whale-oil lamps, candlesticks, etc. Later in the century, pewter alloys were often used as a base metal for silver-plated objects.