X‐RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS OF ENGLISH 13th‐16th CENTURY PEWTER FLATWARE

Abstract

Most of the thirty‐six pewter items were found to have been made from high quality tin‐rich alloys with low lead content, hardened with a small amount (0.5–3.0%) of copper; these were thought to be from the later part of the period. Three items, one with the highest copper content of all the alloys, were thought to be from the earlier part of the period. Five items with up to 2% of copper hardener but with lead levels up to 26.5% were thought to be of provincial origin. A possible correlation of alloy composition and date and place of manufacture with rim‐form is discussed. A wavelength‐dispersive technique was used for the analyses.