Smith Art Gallery & Museum | Details

Sidebar content	Main content
Actions Displays	Pewter charger Remove from selection Add to selection Reproduction Download mediaDownload as zip file Object number21754.853 TitlePewter charger DescriptionThis charger is a magnificent example of the pewter ware that was being made in Britain during the Roman occupation. We know from archaeological evidence that the Romans brought pewter with them to Britain at first, but that by the 3rd century AD it was being made here using local materials. The tin, copper and lead used to make early pewter were being mined in Britain well before the Romans arrived – they were extracting them during the Bronze Age. Finding a source of mineral resources was most likely one of the main reasons that the Romans were determined to conquer Britain. The vast Roman Empire was greedy for these metals and other materials like iron, gold, silver and salt. The charger measures almost 50cm across and might have originally been part of a set with a ewer (jug). It has simple but elegant decoration: from the centre a series of circles radiate outwards, reminiscent of the sun. Towards the outer edge there is a more defined ring of ridges, encircled by a beaded rim. We do know that Sol Invictus became known as the official sun god and patron of soldiers during the later Roman Empire. As the bestower of light and life, the sun was connected with enlightenment and wisdom – attributes that the self-aware, civilised Romans would have been keen to bring to the native tribes of Britannia. Production periodRomano British Object nameCharger MaterialPewter Dimensions Diameter: 546 mm

Reproduction

Download mediaDownload as zip file

Object number21754.853

TitlePewter charger

DescriptionThis charger is a magnificent example of the pewter ware that was being made in Britain during the Roman occupation. We know from archaeological evidence that the Romans brought pewter with them to Britain at first, but that by the 3rd century AD it was being made here using local materials. The tin, copper and lead used to make early pewter were being mined in Britain well before the Romans arrived – they were extracting them during the Bronze Age. Finding a source of mineral resources was most likely one of the main reasons that the Romans were determined to conquer Britain. The vast Roman Empire was greedy for these metals and other materials like iron, gold, silver and salt. The charger measures almost 50cm across and might have originally been part of a set with a ewer (jug). It has simple but elegant decoration: from the centre a series of circles radiate outwards, reminiscent of the sun. Towards the outer edge there is a more defined ring of ridges, encircled by a beaded rim. We do know that Sol Invictus became known as the official sun god and patron of soldiers during the later Roman Empire. As the bestower of light and life, the sun was connected with enlightenment and wisdom – attributes that the self-aware, civilised Romans would have been keen to bring to the native tribes of Britannia.

Production periodRomano British

Object nameCharger

MaterialPewter

Dimensions

Diameter: 546 mm