Pewter, with its attractive soft sheen, can be traced back to the Bronze Age, over 4,000 years ago. The Romans also mastered the craft of pewter, although little written or archaeological evidence exists. Pewter in the form we know it today dates back to the 12th century in England, Scotland, and Ireland. Primarily for the wealthy, it did not come into predominant domestic use until the Middle Ages (14th to 16th centuries).

Pewter in the form of tankards, plates, candlesticks, and other household pieces began to replace wooden tableware. However, pewter of this period was an alloy dangerously high in lead content, the effects of which were basically unknown during the Middle Ages.