Bring on the Vintage Brass!

Vintage brass adds a sparkle and vitality to any decor.

Made from two natural elements, copper and zinc, the similarity of brass to gold in both flexibility and color accounts for its popularity from Medieval times to today.

Once, highly polished brass was the most desirable because it looks like gold. But today, with the surge in decorating with vintage, brass with aged patina is also sought after. And the question becomes: to polish or not to polish?

Actually, I think it's up to the preference of the owner--and the type of item. Some items I polish and some I think look great just the way they are.

The picture above is from Amy's Vintage Emporium on Etsy and on Instagram, where she has over 5,000 followers. Amy's Instagram hashtag #mybrassabode has examples of how brass is being used in a variety of different decors today from Jungalow to Modern Farmhouse, and she's definitely one of the biggest supporters, sellers, and promoters of brass everything.

I buy brass items whenever I can. Examples currently in my shop include this candlelabra:

a set of three candlesticks:

and a tarnished brass candlestick in the shape of a palm tree:

A set of vintage brass napkin rings is another find:

and here's a pair of brass wall sconces:

One of the most unusual vintage brass items in my shop is a lot of empty bullet cases for crafts:

And because of my love for all things brass, I've started a Pinterest board called Collecting Vintage Brass, where almost daily I find and post the vintage brass items I come across.

Later today I'm heading over to one of my favorite church sales here in New Hampshire, and vintage brass will definitely be one of the items I'll be looking for.

Then the problem becomes--in addition to "polish or not polish"--do I sell it, or keep it for myself? :)