The Brass Aesthetic: Why Vintage Brass Is Having a Moment

Why Brass Is Trending Again

Every few decades, brass falls out of favor and then comes roaring back. Right now it's back in a big way. Pinterest's own trend data has flagged the brass aesthetic as one of the defining looks of the year, and it's easy to see why. After a long stretch of matte black and brushed nickel, people are craving warmth again, and nothing does warmth quite like brass.

Vintage Brass vs. New Brass

New brass hardware is everywhere, but it lacks something vintage brass has in spades: patina. Decades of handling, polishing, and gentle tarnish give old brass a depth and softness that no manufacturing process can fake overnight. That's the whole appeal.

• Vintage brass develops a warm, honeyed glow instead of a hard shine.
• Older pieces are usually solid brass all the way through, not a thin plating over another metal.
• Each piece carries small imperfections that make it one of a kind.

Where to Start Collecting

If you're new to brass, start small. A pair of Vintage Williamsburg Brass Pineapple Napkin Rings is an easy, affordable way to bring warmth to a table setting, and the pineapple motif is a classic symbol of hospitality. For something with more presence, a Vintage Solid Brass Ginger Jar Vase anchors a shelf or console beautifully on its own, no flowers required.

Lighting is another wonderful entry point. A Vintage Brass Pillar Candlestick Holder instantly warms up a dinner table, and pairing two or three at varying heights creates the kind of layered look design magazines love.

For the Serious Collector

If you're ready to invest in something truly exceptional, seek out signed or maker-marked pieces. Our Piero Fornasetti Hand Paint Italian Mid Century Modern Magazine Rack, with its hand-painted panels and brass hardware, is the kind of piece that becomes the focal point of a room, not just an accent.

A Note on Care

Resist the urge to polish vintage brass to a mirror shine. That soft, uneven patina is exactly what makes it valuable and beautiful. A light dusting and the occasional wipe with a dry cloth is all it needs.