Platter
18th century
Medium
Pewter
Dimensions
Diameter: 15 in. (38.1 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Pewter
Culture
British, London
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, 1909
Accession Number
10.125.536u
Art Historical Context
This elegant 18th-century pewter platter, crafted by London makers Thomas Fasson and Samuel, exemplifies the refined metalwork traditions of British decorative arts. Measuring 15 inches in diameter it was designed for serving food at the dining table, a staple in prosperous households where pewter offered an affordable yet sophisticated alternative to silver. The soft, silvery alloy—primarily tin with traces of antimony and copper—allowed for smooth casting and hammering techniques, resulting in durable, gleaming pieces that polished to a subtle luster. Pewter production in London during this...
About the Artist
Thomas Fasson|Samuel Ellis (British|British) · 1744 |1673 –1844 |1773
British, died 1844|British, active 1725–48, died 1773