The history of Irish Pewter goes back 800 years. The early craftsmen produced the first domestic pewter utensils, consisting mainly of tankards, plates and candlesticks. Around the 12th. century, pewter was only for the wealthy, where it was found on the tables in kings’ castles, and in rich merchants’ and churchmens’ houses. Later the use of pewter spread into taverns and cottages. In the 18th and 19th centuries, with the introduction of pottery and glass, pewter use declined.
The ancient craft of pewter making was revived in Ireland by Mullingar Pewter in 1974, employing craftspeople from the local area. Most of the pieces are still made in the traditional way in their own workshop by Irish men and women specially trained in the old casting methods, meticulous assembly and delicate hand finishing. These skills take years to acquire. One craftsman has worked at the workshop for 40 years, and a number over 30 years!
While consistently applying the highest standards of design and quality control, about the only thing that has changed in pewter manufacturing is the materials. Originally pewter was made from a composition of lead and tin. Today, the raw materials consist of 95% tin with the balance made up of copper and antimony. Mullingar Pewter products are guaranteed lead-free and quite safe to be used for all kinds of food and drink.
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