Christopher cawthorne, age 12, ofCleveland, 0., for his question;

What is pewter?

In colonial days, the dinner table was set with pieces of gleaming pewter. This inexpensive metal began to be replaced by household glass and silverware in the 1800s. Nowadays, objects of pewter are co11ected as art pieces or used as vases. The dull, silvery alloy is prone to scratches, dents and tarnishing. It is not durable enough to be in everyday use.

The chief metal in pewter is tin, which may account for 75% to 80% of the finished metal. Copper, antimony, lead and sometimes bismuth are added to the seething brew.