About Us : Our History

Applying Hammer Touches (Some pieces get over 3000 hammer touches)

Ballena Bay Pewter is proud to have played a major role in the development of innovative sculpted pewter hollowware in 20th century America. The pewtersmithing tradition forged in England during the 1500s had not significantly changed for more than 450 years. Up to the early 1970s, the American pewter industry consisted primarily of traditional colonial designs. Rollie and Karyn Rivas, the founders and artisans of Ballena Bay Pewter, conscientiously decided not to redo the old designs, but to stand alone and create a fresh approach to the noble craft of pewtersmithing.

Thirty years ago, Rollie and Karyn Rivas embarked on a two and one half year pilgrimage to Europe, North America, and the Mediterranean regions - the accepted motherland of traditional metalworking. Upon their return to the San Francisco Bay area, they combined the highest quality of artistic manufacturing techniques never before applied to the creation and production of pewter with the mythologies of pre and post renaissance. The results were stunning.

The unique designs of Ballena Bay Pewter incorporate the custom wax designs of David Nesbitt created under the direction of Rollie and Karyn Rivas. These designs encompass a variety that ranges from wild and crazy embracing dragon wine goblets to sophisticated life-size d rose, orchid, iris and carnation pewter casts. Ballena Bay Pewter is a member of the American Pewter Guild and is recognized for its unparalleled quality and variety.

Wax Block & Hand-Carved Wax Base

About Us : The Art of Fine Pewter

Pewter is one of the world's earliest metals. It has been worked by the ancient Greeks, Romans and Asians. The English restored the dignity of pewter and incorporated it into their daily lives during the Renaissance times. It was common to see a table laden with pewter plates, goblets and tankards during the times of fair maidens and fabled dragons. The metal had value in that it didn't break and that it could be passed on to the next generation.

Pewter is an alloy of the tin group. The specific alloy that Ballena Bay Pewter uses is one of the highest grades available in the marketplace today - consisting of 92% tin, 6% antimony and 2% copper. The American Pewter Guild has established strict quality and safety standards for pewter used in connection with food and drink. All guild members adhere to these exacting standards. No compromises are tolerated. The customer can always be assured that pewterware produced by Guild members will be entirely safe for use.

Hand Spinning A Goblet

Ballena Bay Pewter uses all the traditional methods for creating pewter, including hand casting, hand spinning, raising and plannishing. Unlike some other domestic studios - 100% of the work is done "in house". Whether cast or spun, the various parts of a pewter piece are usually put together as one by soldering. Soldering takes considerable skill because pewter has a low melting point that is little different from the solder.

Ballena Bay Pewter bears the touchmark - a small whale within an oval ring - which signifies that pride and responsibility is taken with the product. This touchmark is registered with both the American Pewter Guild and the United States Government. Future collectors will always be able to trace the value of Ballena Bay Pewter by researching this touchmark.

Fortunately, pewter is affordable and largely carefree. The very nature of the metal insures a timeless design both for the casual consumer or the serious collector. The mystique of pewter is irresistable. Pewter has proven to be a good investment as the value multiplies over the years.

Pewter is once again enjoying popularity. It is both practical and decorative and is found in the finest homes and museums. Some people collect pewter solely out of love for the beauty and character of the metal and the artistry with which it is wrought. They use the pieces in their collections regularly and find them practical for the everyday serving of food and drink or in the case of figurines - for the subdued decorative charm.