Lead dinner plates
Description

Six dinner plates, 10.7/8 inches across, without markings but with knife marks, profoundly heavy.

Dimensions

34.5 circumference 10.7/8 diameter

Provenance

Unknown

Acquired from
Auction House
For sale
Maybe
Answered within 12 days
By Delia
May 17, 23:59 UTC
Fair Market Value
$75 - $150 USD
Suggested Asking Price $200 USD
What does this mean?

Hi Jo,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
These are more likely to be pewter than lead.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A group of six Continental pewter plates
of circular form, apparently unmarked
10-7/8 inches diameter
CONDITION: generally in good condition with wear commensurate to age and use.
PROVENANCE: acquired at auction
$75-150*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you again for using Mearto.

Delia May 20, 17:32 UTC

They are lead not pewter and solid lead.
They are 15th or 16th century. Please correct.

These plates are solid lead. They were not used as chargers. The knife marks are proof of that. There are very few lead plates that exist now. But there are a few lead chalices. I have pewter bowls and there is a great difference in weight and color. Jo

Delia May 20, 17:33 UTC

Hi Jo,
I saw your comment through our customer service representative. If these are not marked, how do you know they are 15th or 16th century?
For faster service, please respond via a comment box.
Thanks,
Delia

Delia May 27, 11:57 UTC

Hi Jo,
Apologies that the comment box option doesn't seem to be working for you. I've been researching these through my extensive library of books on early metalwares and have not been able to find anything to point to these being 15/16th C or area of origin. The lack of marks is a bit concerning as production of any kind of glass, metal or ceramics was pretty heavily regulated by guilds etc.

My initial thought are even if these are old, they are so plain as to warrant a fairly modest value. Do you mind if I reach out to former colleagues of mine at some of the auction houses in NYC and London for their thoughts? I'd like their opinion but need your OK to reach outside of Mearto. There won't be an additional cost to you but it may take a bit longer to finish this appraisal. I apologize for the delay but want to do my due dilligence on this appraisal.
Please email our customer service as you've done previously and I'll reach out ASAP.
Thanks!

Delia Jun 14, 22:08 UTC

Hi Jo,
I've reached out again to the former colleague I'd initially asked about these - he was away for the Memorial Day holiday and I suspect the email got buried, and have also reached out to ANOTHER person for a second (or third) opinion.
I do have contacts at museums but they are usually not willing to authenticate from photos.
I'll be in touch as soon as I hear anything - I'm SO SORRY this is taking so much longer than I thought :(

Delia Jun 19, 23:45 UTC

Hi Jo,
My specialist friend also thought these were pewter; this was their comment:
"earlier pewter did contain lead in varying percentages. Based on the fact there are no marks and there does appear to be significant wear and damages, you’re probably looking at less than $50. If they are in fact lead, less than that."
I've taken the date line off of my initial appraisal and removed the date line as it's impossible to say how old these are but am leaving my initial value of $75-150 on these as I think they have decorative value, if for a limited market.
Thanks, Delia

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