How are Sculptures In Pewter Made?

We start with original artwork from a variety of sources. These include commissioning local artists' work, wildlife and scenic photography, works used under license, and David's own scrimshaw artwork. The original artwork is laser imaged, and an electronic template is made to the size of the eventual pewter casting. (Normally about 1.5" to 2" square) When the laser image and template have been approved, decisions are made as to how much relief there will be when the image is produced in pewter. This relief refers to the depth of the image when cast in pewter, and varies from about an eighth of an inch to about three eighths of an inch deep, depending upon the scene.

Pewter is a fairly soft metal with a rich luster and color, and it takes detail in the casting process very well. The softness of the material and the detail in our work would render these pieces quite fragile if used in an everyday manner, but our presentation makes the difference. Each piece is matted, using only the highest quality acid-free, archival rag mat boards, then framed, using the best Nielson Florentine finish metal moldings. Although we have been approached by several "off-shore" manufacturers who claim they can cut our costs way down by ordering mats and frames from them, we have not seen any quality that can compare to the mats and frames we are using. We prefer to have the quality remain at a standard we can be happy with and proud to present to our customers.

What is pewter made of?
What is the composition of Sculptures In Pewter?

Pewter, as defined by the Standard Specification for Modern Pewter Alloys, states that today pewter must be made up of the following:
90 - 98% tin,
1 - 8% antimony,
and .25 - 3 % copper.
The pewter used in Sculptures In Pewter meets all of these standards.

Where can I buy Sculptures In Pewter?

Take a look at our "Locations" page on this website to find a retailer near you. If you do not have a dealer near where you live, we can ship pieces anywhere direct from Radium Hot Springs. Please feel free to contact us.

Can custom images be made in Sculptures In Pewter?

Yes. We have made custom images for corporations, conferences, and sporting events. Our pricing is based upon the knowledge that over time we will sell a certain minimum number of any of our regular stocked images. We generally produce a hundred castings of an image when we are pouring in order to achieve maximum efficiency. Custom orders are often for fewer than this number, but the costs of a new image and pouring less than one hundred are not great. It is recommended that you contact us and we discuss your needs.

Is pewter harmful?
Can Sculptures In Pewter be harmful?

No, Sculptures In Pewter cannot be harmful. Sculptures In Pewter, is made up of a modern pewter alloy, using no lead in its production. (See the composition of pewter above.)

The perception that pewter can be harmful comes out of the past, and rightly so. Historically, pewter contained high levels of lead, which is harmful to humans if ingested. Also historically, pewter was used to make such things as drinking cups, goblets, and plates. Eating off such plates, or drinking from such cups, for extended periods, very likely did expose the users to unacceptably high levels of lead.