Pewter Live 2024
“Pewter Live is a great contemporary role for a Livery Company: encouraging a contemporary ‘take’ on the original craft of pewtersmithing.”
Sir Christopher Frayling
Pewter Live has taken place at Pewterer’s Hall, in the heart of the City of London, since 1988. It is an annual European Design Competition organised by the Worshipful Company of Pewterers to promote the use of pewter and innovation in design. It comprises two separate competitions, one exclusively for students of all ages from colleges and universities, and the other an open competition.
Every year, a tremendous effort and enthusiasm goes into the student competition which has become increasingly popular with colleges across the UK. As a result, pewter design is now well established on the curriculum of their art and design courses and several have engineering departments that are developing new tools and techniques to aid manufacture.
Pewter Live also promotes the design and sale of traditional and contemporary pewter products in the UK and supports small and large pewter manufacturers. A curated selection of work by some of the best contemporary designers are displayed at a three-day event attended by the public, students, designers, manufacturers and retailers as well as City dignitaries.
Pewter Live visitors can expect to find beautiful, unique handmade pieces available to purchase online and in person. The designers and manufacturers utilise a range of diverse skills to create their pieces, applying techniques that have been in use for centuries and require the finest attention to detail. Behind every piece there is a unique story and an artist who seeks to explore the boundaries for use of this most tactile and beautiful metal, highlighting its inherent qualities and wider appeal.
Picture of Pewterers’ Hall during the first Pewter Live 1988.
King Charles III at Pewter Live in 1993 when he attended as the guest of honour.
Pewter Live is opened by the Lord Mayor and in previous years the prizes have been presented by Deyan Sudjic, Director of the Design Museum in London, HRH Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy KG GCVO, HRH The Prince of Wales, Viscount Linley, Tom Dixon, Sir Terence Conran, The Marquess of Queensberry and Sir Christopher Frayling.
