GOTHIC PEWTER TANKARDS

GOTHIC PEWTER TANKARDS

Sure to catch the discerning eye and become a valued treasure, Gothic Pewter Tankards are wonderfully crafted, beautiful and a great way to make your collection like no other. For the smart and distinguished collector, Gothic Pewter Tankards make a bold statement because Gothic Pewter Tankards have a rich history and can reflect anyone's budget, taste and style. Gothic Pewter Tankards may sometimes be confused with beer steins, but as you'll soon discover, they are so much more. To begin your search, let's go back in time to the Gothic age.

What is Gothic you may ask? Generally when you hear the word Gothic it pertains to a literary style of fiction, a type of architecture, personal item or dress from the late 18th and 19th centuries. Often in works of that era, grotesque, mysterious and medieval elements were utilized and that's no different with Gothic Pewter Tankards. However, don't be mislead. Gothic Pewter Tankards are breathtaking in their myriad of designs and centuries old craftsmanship. Obviously what makes them so unique is the pewter itself.

Before the mass production of glass and china, pewter was the primary material used in tableware. Workers throughout the ages have sculpted and molded functional works of art with this beautiful metal alloy. Today, Gothic Pewter Tankards are still created using traditional techniques passed down through generations. Traditionally, pewter is between 85 and 99 percent tin, with the remainder consisting of anywhere between 1 and 15 percent copper that acts as a hardener. Older and lower grades of pewter sometimes contain lead and these pieces can be identified by their bluish tint. However, modern Gothic Pewter Tankards are mixed with tin and copper but don't contain lead, employing antimony or bismuth. Physically, pewter is a bright, shiny cousin to silver but is much less expensive. But be warned, pewter will tarnish to a dull gray over time if left untreated. Gothic Pewter Tankards aren't for those who don't like to polish every now and then.

To make sure you find the Gothic Pewter Tankard you're looking for we should spend some time elaborating on what a tankard is. A tankard by definition is a large drinking cup, featuring a single handle. It's this handle that many times will be the signature piece that makes a Gothic Pewter Tankard truly special. Etchings will often be found on the side of the large cup and can reflect the tankard's gothic roots or from which country it was made in. You can bring a piece of Scotland, or Wales, or England into your home when you find the Gothic Pewter Tankard that's right for you. Another distinguishing characteristic you'll often discover on many tankards is a glass bottom. History tells us that the glass bottom was used as a means to refuse the King's shilling and not serve in his army or navy. The drinker could see the coin in the bottom of the glass and refuse the drink, thus refusing to be a member of the King's military.

As you can imagine, adding one or a series of Gothic Pewter Tankards to your home will make for many an interesting conversation. As you begin to dig around, you'll find Gothic Pewter Tankards range in price, size and of course by brand, but you can't go wrong. Uncovering a Gothic Pewter Tankard that's as unique and varied as your individual tastes won't take long. What are you waiting for?