
A restaurant we frequent, The Park has comfortable decor and pewter plates we covet. We've searched for comparable plates for ourselves and came up with these Pewter Plates at Old Dominion Forge...

A restaurant we frequent, The Park has comfortable decor and pewter plates we covet. We've searched for comparable plates for ourselves and came up with these Pewter Plates at Old Dominion Forge...
These are new dinner plates, hand cast in lead-free pewter, priced at $30 each. The Forge sells antique ones, too. They're as old as 150 years and have beautiful patina and wear. These sell at about $80 each. If the prices seem high, don't think of an entire dinnertable outfitted in these, but rather use a single one as a serving dish. Don't be put off by the outdoorsy, rustic or historic connotations that go along with these plates. They'd be equally fabulous in a modern interior lending texture and material warmth to a sleek dining room.
You can also try WoodburyPewter.com, which has links to several suppliers.
I don't know a lot about antique pewter, but someone more knowledgeable than myself might want to warn about the potential risks of lead poisoning from eating off antique pewter.
view Doug's profile
Yeah, I'd be worried about the lead in antique pewter, too. There's a reason they're not in use any more.
view pearlandopal's profile
Pewter seems to be following me this week. I just priced out pewter countertops for my house (and the price choked me). Sigh. Lookin' like zinc.
view I Love Upstate's profile
We had pewter plates when I was a kid. I hate them. You can't use them in the microwave, they rapidly heat up (or cool down) from your food. They are noisy.
view Max's profile
I like the patina pewter gets as it ages, but I admit I'm not using it to eat or drink -- I have some nice old German cups with animal heads popping out of them (stags, hunting dogs, that sort of thing), which I use for pens and brushes on my worktable. Warm rich silvery grey.
view Deborah's profile
Oh, hey! I Love Upstate, you mentioned zinc countertops -- some recent TV show had zinc countertops (like the ones in bars in France) and I wondered if anyone had tried this -- pros & cons?
view Deborah's profile
Guys, thanks for the heads up to this great resturant! I checked it out tonight with my hubby. They only use the pewter plates for bread, which I think is a wonderful way to use them.
view theambershow's profile
One summer I worked at a pewter shop and besides the lead levels on antique pewter, also beware that at high temperatures, the pewter will warp and bend. So do not use it in the oven and do not store somewhere hot (like an attic).
view Miss Q's profile
I have Wilton Armatale serving pieces and love them. They can be used in the oven and for storing food (except very acidic food, like vinegar/lemon juice) in the fridge. Perhaps they are not 100% pewter? I'm not sure, but there is a website which probably covers all that.
Also, I always buy monogrammed pewter cups from Salisbury Pewter (.com) for new-baby gifts. Much more affordable than sterling!
view aquilla's profile
oops. wilton armetale is an aluminum alloy, not pewter at all! i still love it. check the site at www.armetale.com.
view aquilla's profile