The Edinburgh Touchplates: Some New Light on Their Origin and Purpose

Abstract

The two plates of pewter were presented to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1870 in a small oaken chest, which also contained, amongst other articles, a note by the donor stating that the chest had been preserved in a gipsy family before coming into his possession and was known as the Charter Chest of the celebrated Border gipsy, Johnny Faa and his descendants. The plates are stamped with the marks of the members of the Edinburgh Pewterers craft. It is argued that they are samples of pewter of approved quality, on which each master pewterer has stamped his mark as an acknowledgment of his obligation to employ pewter of at least that fineness in making his wares.