New
Pewter on Display
In the ‘Tin Ten Toon’ exhibition, the Dutch Silver Museum will reveal the richness of the centuries-old material pewter. From beautifully-laid tables to children’s toys: pewter is found everywhere. But is its nickname ‘poor man’s silver’ justified? And what are the differences or similarities with silver? Visit this exhibition with unique objects and stories, brought together in cooperation with the Dutch pewter Association on the occasion of its 30th anniversary.
Fooled ya!
Pewter is popularly known as ‘poor man’s silver’. But until far in the 19th century, poor people could not afford pewter. This misconception was caused by the fact that some objects were made both in silver and in pewter. Moreover, for lack of money, the Dutch aristocracy largely shifted from silver tableware to a pewter variation. Nicely polished and no one would know the difference!
Archaeological find of shipwreck
Centruries-old material
Versatile pewter
Pewter city jugs in Schoonhoven
The exhibition shows beautiful examples of luxury city jugs from Schoonhoven. These were used to pour wine on special occasions and only met the eyes of honoured guests of a city council. Certainly not poor people… Certainly not poor people…
Rembrandt, Jan Steen and Wimbledon
The visitor goes out to explore and finds out more about the influence of famous painters, like Rembrandt and Jan Steen, on the naming of pewter jugs. How do you make pewter objects? And what does the prestigious dish for female winners of the Wimbledon tennis tournament have to do with the pewter dish made by François Briot back in the 16th century? From chamber pots and rolls of pewter from shipwrecks to pewter soldiers and medieval knights. The exhibition is a must-see for everyone who wants to (re)discover the beauty and richness of pewter!
Activities and Publications
Save the date
Do you have something made of tin or silver at home that you would like to know more about? On September 2023 there will be a special valuation day with Jan Beekhuizen and Joseph Estie (experts known from Tussen Kunst en Kitsch). It is possible to book a (Dutch) guided tour at the exhibition. A publication will appear about the exhibition that will be sold in the Museumshop. There will be workshops for children during the Weekend of Science (October 8, 2023) and the autumn series of the MuseumJeugduniversiteit will be about tin. Soon more information will be available.
Do not forget to check out the website of the Tin Vereniging.
Image: Temperantia dish, Montbéliard, François Briot, born around 1550 in Damblain, on April 12, 1580 affiliated with the St. Eloygilde in Montbéliard. Last mentioned in 1614, 1615 en 1616. The winner of the Wimbledon women's tournament is presented with a silver and partly gold-plated dish that is an exact copy of Briot's Temperantia dish. This prize was first awarded to the winner of the tournament in 1884.
Silver partners
