Oval deep charger or platter

1750-1800

Measurements

2 in x 22-3/4 in x 17-1/2 in

Materials

Pewter

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of Hugh R. and Bayard Sharp

Accession Number

1977.556

Inscription

“SUPER FINE / HARD METAL” may be read on one faint touchmark on the underside.

Condition Notes

The platter is heavily worn, oxidized, and scratched.  A small section along the edge of the rim has been damaged, including partial melting of the pewter.

Provenance

Although not confirmed in writing, this charger likely belonged to H. Rodney Sharp, father of the donors.

Comments

This oval charger or platter with a deep well is a marvelous piece of pewter, although its condition impedes better identification of it.  Not many pewterers were capable of making objects of such size.  This maker struck his touchmarks on the outside of the bottom, but they are now so faint as to be largely illegible.  One mark can still be read as “SUPER FINE / HARD METAL,” as designation of the high quality of the pewter used in this object.  Very high quality pewter required ample stocks of tin, a material mined in the Cornwall and Devon regions of England and not exported, except as finished pewter objects.  Thus, this platter likely originated in London.