Pewter Live
23rd May 2017Pewterers' Hall
Parking in Gresham Street, Pewterers' Hall is just a short walk and so dressed somewhat magnificently after the Garden Party, if minus my topper, the Mistress and I entered via a small marquee located to the right of the main building and ran straight into the Master Pewterer, Rod Kent whom I’ve mentioned before is a fellow 18th Century afficionado. He found us both a drink and, with a few interruptions, gave us the ‘Master's Tour’ of this charming exhibition – and yes, it’s a selling exhibition downstairs and prize display upstairs.
I encouraged Rod to take us to the main event upstairs first (!) and we saw some very fine and novel examples of the art – some of it provided by fellow liverymen. There was clever table by a Furniture Maker with a pewter-lined flip top, but I neglected to snap it; Chris Histead, Master IT Professional had entered some very good pendants inspired by Neolithic arrow heads (which I understand have won the Master's Prize) and there were some very clever lamps too.
Although we arrived towards the end of the evening (about 7.15 when it was due to last until 8.00) I caught up with several other Masters – and one or two IPMs – around the room including Richard Fleck (Tallow Chandler) who I insisted on showing the remarkable Punta Cana hoard now permanently displayed there. Whilst I was circulating, Camilla was buying and came away with a very pretty pewter leaf key fob; in fact several Masters were buying their official gifts there too.
As we were thinking of leaving we bumped into Bindy, the Mistress who’s always very welcoming. We got back to the car by 8.40 and were home half an hour later, pretty well done in, and had a light bite having finally changed from our Garden Party finery!