While large numbers of eating and drinking vessels made of pottery have
been excavated on Jamestown Island, only a few fragments of utensils
made of silver, pewter, brass, and copper were found. Metalware vessels
were relatively scarce during the early years of the settlement, and
their almost complete absence in the Jamestown collection may be
attributed to the fact that not many of them were discarded, regardless
of their worn condition. Only a few metal handles from mugs and cups,
and a small number of pewter plate fragments, have been excavated.
Although no complete specimens of domestic silver and pewter eating and
drinking vessels were found, 17th-century records and inventories
indicate that many Jamestown families owned such wares (especially after
1630), including cups, beakers, dishes, salts, salvers, tankards,
porringers, bowls, and plates.
It is of interest that 2 goldsmiths, 2 refiners, and a jeweler arrived
at Jamestown in 1608 aboard the supply ship _Phoenix_. Although John
Smith related that these artisans "never had occasion to exercise their
craft," it is possible that they made a few metal objects (such as
spoons) in the capital city.