Circa 1980 Mexican Pewter Byzantine Mosaic-Inspired Objet D’Art or Egg / Oyster Platter

Excellent Pre-Owned Condition. Plate stand is not included.

Fabulously eye-catching and one-of-a-kind, this beauty can pull double duty! As a gorgeous objet d’art on a stand, or should you choose to use it as an egg platter, rather than a decorative accent, there are 24 slots for serving deviled eggs or any other appetizer such as oysters. Mexican pewter is a non-toxic alloy of aluminum which makes it safe for food and drink but not recommended for cooking. It is different from American and English pewter, which is primarily made of tin. Artifacts made from Mexican pewter are handcrafted by skilled artisans, one piece at a time, using the ancient art of sand casting. First, an artist sculpts a new piece in clay and then casts it in plaster. From that piece, artisans hand make an exact copy from which a single metal mold is made. This mold will then be placed between two wooden boxes that are filled with a fine sand that holds the precise shape of the mold when it is pounded tight by skilled workers. Once the sand envelops the design, the artisans remove the top box and pull out the mold, leaving the perfect sculpted space in the remaining box. The artisans then push tubes through the sand to make flow channels for the premium quality alloy of molten aluminum to be poured into this design cavity. Once the molten alloy reaches the optimal heat, the artisans pour it down the flow channel until the cavity is full. The two boxes will remain tightly joined until the alloy cools. At this point, the artisans break open the box. The sand will spill out and be reused, while a team of polishers work on the newly created piece. It will be polished many times by grinding and buffing wheels until it reaches its characteristic high gloss and lustrous finish. This beauty measures 13” x 13” x ½” W/D/H; weight 3 lbs. 6 oz. To keep it looking fabulous, handwash using mild dish detergent and nonabrasive scrubbies (dishwashers will dull the surface). You may use a mild aluminum cleaner to enhance its brilliance, if desired. Acidic foods such as those containing lemon juice or vinegar may discolor the finish. In excellent condition with little, if any wear.

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