Porringers
Gleason’s traditional designs included porringers such as these from the 1830s with burnt-on coronet ear or crown-design handle and with heart-and-crescent ear. Most of the surviving American specimens of porringers were made after 1800, and by about 1830 their production had pretty well ceased. Whereas pewter makers treated the bowl of a porringer without much differentiation, they experimented with designs for the handles, and each maker could have devised his own individual pattern. Molds were so costly, however, that pewter makers often used hand-me-downs. In addition, they were comfortable with conventional patterns, so the result is that collectors have found only about 20 different designs among porringer handles.
Most of the surviving American specimens of porringers were made after 1800, and by about 1830 their production had pretty well ceased. Whereas pewter makers treated the bowl of a porringer without much differentiation, they experimented with designs for the handles, and each maker could have devised his own individual pattern. Molds were so costly, however, that pewter makers often used hand-me-downs. In addition, they were comfortable with conventional patterns, so the result is that collectors have found only about 20 different designs among porringer handles.
Of the most common American handle designs, Gleason seems to have employed at least the Crown design and Hearts and Crescent.
Cups and Bowls
Pitchers
Coffee and Tea Pots
Bell