English pewter 16th century a third grade was added. The first type, known as "fine metal", was used for tableware. It consisted of tin with as much copper as it could absorb, which is about 1%. The second type, known as "trifling metal" or "trifle", was used for holloware. It is made up of fine metal with approximately 4% lead. The last type of pewter, known as "lay" or "ley" metal, was used for items that were not in contact with food or drink. It consisted of tin with 15% lead. These three alloys were used, with little variation, until the 20th
River aux Vases (Mississippi River) River aux Vases (Mississippi River) River aux Vases is a creek that rises in Union Township in western Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri and flows into the Mississippi River about two miles north of St. Marys, Missouri. The stream's original name - La Rivière aux Vases - is French meaning "The muddy or swampy River" and referred to quicksand and soggy conditions around the creek, especially crossings. The earliest French colonial families had long-established family sugar camps (les sucreries) along the creek to process sugar. In 1797 the younger son of Pierre de Lassus, Commandant of New Bourbon received a grant