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Before the advent of porcelain in the 18th century and stainless steel in the 20th century, pewter reigned supreme on Alsatian tables. This silver-grey metal, an alloy of lead and antimony, offered the advantage of being malleable, resistant and easy to decorate. Alsatian pewterers were true artists who transformed this humble metal into objects of remarkable beauty and finesse.
From the Middle Ages, pewterers' guilds were among the most powerful in Alsace. Strasbourg, Colmar and Sélestat each had several master pewterers whose works adorned both bourgeois tables and inns and monasteries. The finest pieces were engraved with motifs inspired by Alsatian nature: vines, storks, wheat, wild flowers and harvest scenes.
Alsatian pewter encompasses a wide variety of objects that reflect all aspects of daily and festive life in former times. The beer tankard is undoubtedly the most emblematic piece: these rotund mugs with hinged lids, often decorated with a central medallion engraved with the arms of a city or guild, were the prestige objects par excellence in Alsatian inns and homes.
Pewter plates and dishes constituted the ordinary tableware of wealthy families until the 18th century. Decorated with fillets and engraved motifs on the rims, they were used to present meat, vegetables and bread at festive meals. The finest examples, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries, are now preserved in Alsatian museums and fetch high prices at auction.
Kitchen utensils in pewter - ladles, skimmers, colanders, cake moulds - were also very common in Alsatian kitchens. Their smooth, non-porous surface made them easy to clean, and their moderate thermal conductivity made them perfectly suited to gentle cooking.
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Pewterwork requires particular expertise that Alsatian master pewterers developed and passed down over generations. The melting of pewter - which melts at only 232°C, far below iron or copper - allows pieces to be cast in stone, wood or metal moulds. Once cooled and released from the mould, the object is turned, smoothed and polished before being engraved or chased if desired.
Engraving is one of the noblest techniques of Alsatian pewterwork. Using a burin or point, the craftsperson incises the surface of the pewter to draw floral motifs, inscriptions, coats of arms or figurative scenes. This line decoration, characteristic of Alsatian pewter from the 16th to 18th centuries, requires great mastery and absolute precision as any mistake is irreparable.
Repoussé work is another technique that involves working the pewter by percussion on a form to create reliefs. This method, more spectacular than engraving, allows particularly expressive three-dimensional decorations to be achieved.
Like all precious metals, Alsatian pewter was subject to a rigorous system of control and marking. Each master pewterer applied their personal mark - the maker's hallmark - to their works, generally in the form of their initials framed by a symbolic motif. This hallmark guaranteed the quality of the alloy and identified the producer in the event of a dispute.
Pieces bearing hallmarks of Strasbourg, Colmar or Sélestat master pewterers are particularly sought after by collectors. The presence of a dated and identified hallmark can multiply the value of an antique piece tenfold. Specialist catalogues list the hallmarks of the main Alsatian pewterers from the 15th to 19th centuries, allowing pieces to be authenticated and dated with precision.
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Antique Alsatian pewter is found mainly at bric-a-brac markets, auctions and specialist antique dealers in Alsace. The flea markets of Strasbourg and Colmar are good addresses for finding affordable pieces. Regional antique fairs, notably that of Obernai, regularly offer fine examples of antique pewter at accessible prices.
For the care of pewter, a few simple rules apply. Antique pewter is not washed in the dishwasher, whose aggressive detergents and excessive heat can damage it irreparably. Hand washing with warm soapy water and immediate drying are sufficient for routine care. To restore the shine of a tarnished piece, a special pewter polish, applied with a soft cloth in circular movements, restores the object's full lustre in just a few minutes.
Never use antique pewter to store acidic foods such as vinegar, fruits or juices: the chemical reaction between the acid and the pewter alloy can release toxic compounds. Antique pieces are today essentially objects of collection and decoration.
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