When no longer a material used on an everyday basis for everyday pieces, pewter was taken up by those concerned with producing interesting pieces of good design. The pewter produced for Liberty of London and by designers such as Knox continues to be appreciated and good pieces are gaining in value and scarcity. However there are many designers who produced very well designed and well made pieces that are not expensive and might appeal to those starting a collection.

The name Art nouveau is French for 'new art', it is also known as Jugendstil, German for 'youth style', named after the magazine Jugend, which promoted it. It is characterised by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly-stylised, flowing curvilinear forms. Art Nouveau is an approach to design, according to which artists should work on everything from architecture to furniture, making art part of everyday life. Art Nouveau's fifteen year peak was strongly felt throughout Europe, from Glasgow to Spain and as far East as Moscow, but its influence was global.