This excellent hand made tin giraffe is for sale at Send Africa
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Wow, this is p-r-e-t-t-y.....
Tin Earthenware Glazed Dish
Winterthur, Switzerland, AD 1681
From the British Museum online comes this gorgeous find, a tin earthenware glazed dish - I had no idea tin anything was applied to ceramics of any kind, so this just knocked me out! Isn't it pretty? This is how it's done, accroding to the article:
A glaze containing tin oxide is applied to dark-coloured earthenware bodies to produce an opaque white surface, in imitation of porcelain. The glaze can subsequently be decorated with metal oxide pigments. In Europe this technique had originated in Islamic Spain; it had spread to Italy by the fifteenth century and throughout the northern countries by the late sixteenth century. It is known variously as maiolica, faience or Delftware according to the country of origin.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Historical Pierced Tin Plates
The Mercer Museum offers pierced tin plates for purchase.
Years ago, we were invited to closely study the extensive pierced metal collection at this unique museum that contained the life-long collections of Henry Chapman Mercer, renowned inventor and ceramist. We were requested to adapt some of the most noteworthy designs. We now offer these very special designs in pierced tin to grace your own home.
Years ago, we were invited to closely study the extensive pierced metal collection at this unique museum that contained the life-long collections of Henry Chapman Mercer, renowned inventor and ceramist. We were requested to adapt some of the most noteworthy designs. We now offer these very special designs in pierced tin to grace your own home.
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Use and Care of Tinned Metals
Tripped across a handy little article today on the use and care of tinned metals, covering everything from cookware to cutters, and when to (and not to) re-tin, below...
When Not to Re-Tin
In the case of copper, the tin prevents reaction with acidic foods. If you're not cooking acidic foods, then it's not necessary to have a tin lining. Also, if the copper pot is going to be subjected to very high temperatures, such as for making hard candy, the copper needs to be bare in order to support the high temperatures. And bare copper is desirable in making meringues, because of its reaction to egg whites, which makes them peak faster and longer.
In the case of steel, the tin coating basically prevents rusting and reaction with acidic foods. If you are using the pan for baking and you keep it dry and well oiled when in storage, re-tinning, though desirable, is not necessary. Any bit of rust can be scoured off.
In the case of antiques, we don't recommend retinning, as doing so is likely to diminish the item's value as an antique. If you plan to use it, however, and it is in good condition, then retinning may prove worthwhile.
When Not to Re-Tin
In the case of copper, the tin prevents reaction with acidic foods. If you're not cooking acidic foods, then it's not necessary to have a tin lining. Also, if the copper pot is going to be subjected to very high temperatures, such as for making hard candy, the copper needs to be bare in order to support the high temperatures. And bare copper is desirable in making meringues, because of its reaction to egg whites, which makes them peak faster and longer.
In the case of steel, the tin coating basically prevents rusting and reaction with acidic foods. If you are using the pan for baking and you keep it dry and well oiled when in storage, re-tinning, though desirable, is not necessary. Any bit of rust can be scoured off.
In the case of antiques, we don't recommend retinning, as doing so is likely to diminish the item's value as an antique. If you plan to use it, however, and it is in good condition, then retinning may prove worthwhile.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Victorian Tin Types
Poking about, I came across an interesting thing called Victorian Tin Types and, having no idea what they were, I decided to poke about some more...
I found a brief history of tin types at Grand Memories: A tintype is a photograph made on a sheet of iron (not really tin) instead of on paper. In 1856 Hamilton Smith patented the process for producing tintypes. Most tintypes were sepia colored (light brown). The most common size was about 2 ½ " x 3 ½", although they were made much smaller for lockets and as large as 5x7. Tintypes were popular from1856 until the late nineteenth century when cheaper paper methods and better photographic equipment caused them to disappear as "old technology."
lovely tin type online
I found a brief history of tin types at Grand Memories: A tintype is a photograph made on a sheet of iron (not really tin) instead of on paper. In 1856 Hamilton Smith patented the process for producing tintypes. Most tintypes were sepia colored (light brown). The most common size was about 2 ½ " x 3 ½", although they were made much smaller for lockets and as large as 5x7. Tintypes were popular from1856 until the late nineteenth century when cheaper paper methods and better photographic equipment caused them to disappear as "old technology."
lovely tin type online
New Uses for Tin Ceiling Tiles
I tripped across quite a nice post in a blog from DYI Maven, New Uses for Tin Ceiling Tiles. There are several photos but this is the one that grabbed my attention for its truly creative and inspired use and design. What do you think?
The Women of Tin Pan Alley
I know that technically it's not tin, but it is the culture and a terrific program: A mention to PBS and The Women of Tin Pan Alley goes here...
"Dorothy Fields was born and raised in New York, and began her career as a lyricist there. In a career that spanned five decades, she collaborated with some of the greats of the industry. With Jimmy McHugh she wrote "I Can’t Give You Anything But Love" and the anti-Depression classic "On the Sunny Side of the Street," and with composer Jerome Kern she wrote the classic score for the film SWING TIME, which included "A Fine Romance" and "The Way You Look Tonight" (the song earned them both an Academy Award). Upbeat and witty, lyrics like those written with Cy Coleman for "Big Spender" and "If My Friends Could See Me Now" became instant classics."
"Dorothy Fields was born and raised in New York, and began her career as a lyricist there. In a career that spanned five decades, she collaborated with some of the greats of the industry. With Jimmy McHugh she wrote "I Can’t Give You Anything But Love" and the anti-Depression classic "On the Sunny Side of the Street," and with composer Jerome Kern she wrote the classic score for the film SWING TIME, which included "A Fine Romance" and "The Way You Look Tonight" (the song earned them both an Academy Award). Upbeat and witty, lyrics like those written with Cy Coleman for "Big Spender" and "If My Friends Could See Me Now" became instant classics."
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Tin Ceiling Restoration
Restoration
Tin ceilings were built to last, and in the absence of prolonged moisture damage leading to corrosion, they usually did; however, the wear and tear over the hundred years since the heyday of tin has led to a burgeoning restoration industry. Environmental hazards from the lead paint used on turn of the century tin ceilings means that this is a job for experts in the field.
Often restoration is achieved by simply stripping old paint, treating the metal with a protective base coat, patching minor damaged areas, and repainting. In some cases, where small sections of a ceiling have been damaged, partial restoration is needed. If a ceiling requires replacement panels, they can be easily installed if currently manufactured. If, however, a ceiling requires a historic pattern that is no longer in production, good quality panels from the existing ceiling may be used to create a mold and new customized tin can be pressed.
If full restoration is needed, meaning no part of the existing ceiling remains structurally sound, a professional can help design a new ceiling appropriate for the period and structure using existing molds or creating reproductions based on photographic evidence or architectural drawings.
Tin ceilings were built to last, and in the absence of prolonged moisture damage leading to corrosion, they usually did; however, the wear and tear over the hundred years since the heyday of tin has led to a burgeoning restoration industry. Environmental hazards from the lead paint used on turn of the century tin ceilings means that this is a job for experts in the field.
Often restoration is achieved by simply stripping old paint, treating the metal with a protective base coat, patching minor damaged areas, and repainting. In some cases, where small sections of a ceiling have been damaged, partial restoration is needed. If a ceiling requires replacement panels, they can be easily installed if currently manufactured. If, however, a ceiling requires a historic pattern that is no longer in production, good quality panels from the existing ceiling may be used to create a mold and new customized tin can be pressed.
If full restoration is needed, meaning no part of the existing ceiling remains structurally sound, a professional can help design a new ceiling appropriate for the period and structure using existing molds or creating reproductions based on photographic evidence or architectural drawings.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Tin Elephant!
The Art Institute of Chicago Museum Store
Tin Victorian Heart...
Tin victorian style 3-d heart, painted black with red & gold. About 5". can be hung on tree or wall. Write your names or saying on the banner.Botticelli-Inspired Rangehood
Birth of Fortuna by Metallo Arts
» Frame Style: Botticelli (of course)
» Dimensions: 18″ (h) x 36″ (w)
» Pattern: Hammered background, stamped metal appliqué
» Lip Treatment: Athena» Metalwork: Josh Elmer
For our take on Botticelli’s classical masterpiece, we’ve shifted the referents to reflect a changed era. Gone are the personified zephyrs of the wind and the welcoming seasonal goddess, replaced with architectural motifs reflecting wind and fruitful land. The goddess who floats to shore on the sexualized scallop shell is now Fortuna, the goddess responsible for luck, wealth. good taste, and fortune. Colors were added with our signature finish technique, selected for their thematic unity as well as their place in an artistic kitchen design.
Walls & Ceilings Magazine
I'm thumbing through the February issue of Walls & Ceilings magazine and I see the article Tin's New Look by Mark L. Johnson. I'm glancing through it when the coolest quote jumps out at me -
Wow, I guess until recently I never thought of painters as artists unless they were painting on a traditional canvas, ya know? I agree, Mr. Gruber, and it's good to see you say it in print where we can all be reminded.
Sheldon Gruber is president of Aa-Abbingdon Affiliates Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y. He is third generation in the tin ceilings business, and his company offers 42 ceiling patterns and 18 molding patterns in its Prestplate Metal Ceilings line. Two years ago, the company launched something new: hand-painted tin panels. “The quality is extremely high,” said Gruber, who added that his finishes are not powder coated or “faux,” but realistic renditions created by artists. “We should have the artist sign each panel–they’re that special,” he said. At $95 a 2 x 4-foot sheet, the price seems high, but Gruber said the hand-painted line is drawing a lot of customer attention.
Wow, I guess until recently I never thought of painters as artists unless they were painting on a traditional canvas, ya know? I agree, Mr. Gruber, and it's good to see you say it in print where we can all be reminded.
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