Robin Hood Tinware - Early American Tin & Copper Lighting

Robin Hood - Master Tinsmith

Makers of Colonial & Early American
Tin & Copper Goods

For over 25 years we have specialized in making Colonial & Early American tin & copper lanterns, chandeliers, sconces, Folk Art and many other historical artifacts.

About Us

In 1982 I discovered the" Art of the Tinsmith" during my studies in Colonial American History. During that time I visited many museums, libraries private collections to find original examples of tin and copper artifacts. My main interest was in early lighting, which consist of lanterns, post lamps, chandeliers, sconces and other forms of lighting devices and American folk art. After mastering the Art of the Tinsmith and acquiring original 18th and 19th century tinsmith tools, I started ,Robin Hood Tinware. Since that time, I have been involved in many restoration projects. reproducing Old World, Colonial and Early American Period Lighting for museums, Historical Societies and private projects, such as making ornaments for a Christmas tree in the blue room at the White House. My shop is nestled in the Hocking forest in southern Ohio. I am a one man operation with an occasional apprentice or two as needed. I am into quality not quantity. Creativity and uniqueness is what I am after. Mass production I leave to the big shops, where quality is not important. You will find I make many of the same historical items that you will find other tinsmiths offer on their site, and many other very unique styles that are rare or creative adaptations that improve on form or function. Look at the quality very carefully when choosing tin or copper lighting online.

A SHORT HISTORY OF TINSMITHING IN AMERICA In the early 18th Century, Shem Drowne was probably the first tin and copper worker in America. He was known for the first hammered weather vanes made from recycled copper and tin in Massachusetts, but it was Edward Pattison that influenced the craft of the tinsmith more than any other. Read More... TOOLS OF THE COLONIAL TINSMITH Tools of the colonial tinsmith were simple hand tools, many made by the smith himself or the village blacksmith. Tools would include tin snips for small cuts, and large shears anchored in a hole in a wood bench to shear larger cuts. Read More...

All my construction methods have durability and originality in mind.