Pewter Trinket Dish

For one short decade, from around 1910 to 1920, pewter was all the rage in China’s bustling commercial centers of Shanghai and Canton. Drawn to pewter’s soft, silvery glow, artists took advantage of the alloy’s malleability and low melting point to fashion beautifully crafted teakettles and canisters that rivaled the workmanship of fine porcelain. This lidded pewter trinket dish features an aged patina that softens the metal finish with a subdued sheen and smooth texture. The curvilinear form of the box descends to a brass-trimmed lip and continues to round into the low pedestal base. The lid of the canister neatly removes to reveal a concave interior compartment.

From the collection of Frances and Gary Comer.

Light scuffing to the underside of the dish.