“I got inspired in 2017 to start working with pewter in my backyard to resist the dying of traditional crafts. Pewtersmiths are something that have kind of disappeared. I was on a trip to Williamsburg talking to the silversmith there, and he was pretty pessimistic about traditional crafts, and how so much craft is now focused on profits. There’s dignity in things that are made by hand, things that are accessible for everyone.
I had some 18th century spoon molds I’d picked up when I was in Pennsylvania years ago, and I decided to start melting down some old pewter and casting it out. And then I got the idea to start actually casting out ingots and beating them into sheets so I could make bowls. From there, I acquired some antique jewelers engraving tools from the 1870s. And that’s what I use for all my decoration on the pewter. I polish everything using sand, and I file and saw from there to give things an authentic, old-world finish. No electronics. I’m just trying to keep one of the old school arts alive.
I’ve been inspired by some of the old 18th century Edenton silver smiths. And right here in the back lot, where Byrum’s has our loading station, was Martin Noxon, Edenton’s most preeminent silversmith. Edenton has so much appreciation for history, and there’s a deep appreciation for craftsmanship as well. The average person is probably never going to own a 1760 English leaf tray that goes for about, you know, $1,200. But you can have a piece of that pattern, that styling in your home for everyday living.”
-Matt Markoya, Old North Pewter
You can find Matt and his pewter at Byrum Hardware, or at his website https://www.oldnorthpewter.com/