We distinguish tinware from pewter (which is predominately tin) by acknowledging that the 'tin' of 'tinware' is simply a coating to keep rust away. Tinware is fabricated from thin sheets of iron or steel coated with tin, bent into shape, then riveted, soldered, or mechanically affixed together. Today we see it mostly as candleholders and perforated light fixtures, but tin lent itself to making almost anything. In its day, tinware was at the bottom rung of the social register, used in primitive or country homes, where it was kept shiny. Painting tinware was an art unto itself, which we tackle in the category Ornamental Painting.
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