Antique Brass - (AB)

What Is Antique Brass?

Antique Brass has a rich dark brown colour with a slight golden tint and visible brush marks in the surface. Antique Brass is an applied finish used to give brass items an aged, tarnished look. Our Antique Brass products are then coated in a high-quality clear lacquer to help protect and maintain their rich dark finish.

Brass itself is a non-ferous, red metal that is an alloy of copper and zinc. The brass being non-ferrous means it will not rust making it ideal for both internal and external applications.

Alongside antique brass, there are many other different finishes, including Polished Brass, PVD Brass and Satin Brass.

What Colour Is Antique Brass?

Antique Brass has a beautifully classical dark brown finish alongside a subtle golden tint and visible brush marks on its surface. Each item of Antique Brass ironmongery undergoes a process of satinising and then individually aging, meaning every antique brass item will have a slightly different brushed pattern and colouring. This is designed to add to the charm and individuality of the antique finish and is a major benefit of using Antique Brass products.

Furthermore, whether you buy highest quality most expensive brass products on the market or the cheapest budget quality brass products, brass will always want to dull and turn brown. This is because the metal (the brass) is reacting all the time with the oxygen in the air, (oxidation) to tarnish the brass. This tarnish is trying to preserve the brass by forming a patina on the surface. The patina layer turns the surface colour of the brass a brown colour.

To help keep the brass products looking as shiny and new for as long as possible, manufacturers now lacquer over the brass to seal the shiny finish.

Colours Similar To Antique Brass

If you can’t find the item you are looking for in Antique Brass, the next closest option is Florentine Bronze.

Antique Brass (left) compared to Florentine Bronze (right)

Antique Brass does have a slightly darker finish than Florentine Bronze.

What Are Antique Brass Products Made From?

Usually, Antique Brass items are made from solid brass. There are some exceptions, where some hinges and cabinet handles are made from stainless steel, Zinc alloy or Mazac, with an Antique Brass effect applied instead. Individual products are listed with the base material from which they are made.

How is The Antique Brass Finish Produced?

A Polished Brass item is taken and satinised (“brushed”) during the final part of production using a satin wheel to give the product a brushed look. The satin item is then usually dipped or coated in a liquid that causes the brass to false age, turning it a dark brown colour. A high-quality clear lacquer is then applied to help protect and maintain the finish.

Are All Antique Brass Items The Same Colour And Pattern?

No. Because each item is sanitised and then individually aged, every antique brass item will have a slightly different brushed pattern and colouring. This is designed to add to the charm of the antique finish.

Are Antique Brass Products Suitable For Outside Use?

Yes, since most Antique Brass items are made from solid brass, which is a non-ferrous alloy (it contains no iron), Antique Brass products will not rust when fitted outside. However, the lacquer coating will eventually break down.

Are All Your Antique Brass Products Lacquered?

Yes, all our Antique Brass products (unless otherwise stated) are lacquered.

Can The Lacquer Be Preserved?

Yes, regular cleaning to remove dirt, fingerprints, and watermarks, with a wax-based furniture polish such as beeswax, “Mr Sheen,” or “Pledge,” will help preserve the lacquer finish for as long as possible.

What Happens When The Lacquer Starts To Breakdown?

When exposed to the air, brass starts to oxidise. Eventually, the antique brass finish will become even darker.

Are Non-Lacquered Antique Brass Products Available?

Yes, if you want to be able to polish your Antique Brass items or would like the finish to oxidise and tarnish even further naturally for an authentic aged look. Please contact us for details of these products.

How To Clean Antique Brass

An advanced lacquer protects Antique Brass products and should give many years of service under normal circumstances.

Antique Brass products should be cleaned regularly with a soft cloth and wiped over with a wax-based furniture polish, ideally beeswax. Products like “Pledge” and “Mr Sheen” will also work well.

Regular cleaning with furniture polish will help preserve and maintain the lacquer and guard against dirt, fingerprints and watermarks.

Do not use any form of metal cleaner on new Antique Brass products, as this will damage the lacquer.

What Is The Difference Between Antique Brass and Aged Bronze?

While Antique Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, Aged Bronze is made from copper and tin.

Visually, Aged Bronze is slightly darker than Antique Brass, appearing more black or brown in colour without the golden hint.

Both finishes are non-ferrous and equally suitable for internal or external use. They represent a classic option for anyone looking for beautiful heritage ironmongery.

View our range of Aged Bronze ironmongery products.

Our Top Antique Brass Products

Antique Brass has grown in popularity recently. Our customers are buying:

View our guide to ironmongery finishes to explore our most popular finishes.