Featured Restoring Brass

Hey folks:
Who here can tell me the most expedient yet careful way to restore brass and silver metal. By silver metal I don’t mean actual silver plate.
Anyway this is for a large stand ca 1880 that has a lot of brass and “silver metal” so-called, if that’s a thing. Brass polish and elbow grease? A buffing wheel seems like it might damage the details. I don’t have the stand but would love to, provided I can make it gleam again. Sorry for the lack of photos.

 

Brasso? Hasn't lasted for nearly 120 years by being a failure at its job. How big is the item?

 

It’s a four-foot tall stand with lots of brass and silver metal detail. I imagine that it will take hours and hours of Brasso and elbow grease, unless there’s a better way. Also, I’d rather leave it tarnished than to brighten it up only to discover some of the tarnish is permanent.
It doesn’t help that I can’t preview the stand, although I do trust the seller!

 

Ghopper- Is there any way you can find an original catalog page listing for the piece ? I know it sounds like a long shot,but I found an original 1883 Derby Silver Catalog online describing the original finish of a piece i recently acquired (cheat- i also found several photos of very well-preserved examples online-gold vermeil over silver plate).
Is your 'silver metal' a nickel plating,some kind of treated spelter,steel,iron ? Brass polish (if it's solid brass),but for caution's sake-you might want to tape off (mask) the 'silver' section so as not to contaminate it w/the brass polish.
I know with your impeccable taste it's going to be a beautiful piece-poss worth taking to a metal plating specialist for an opinion on metal types.

 

Excellent, thanks @bosko69 ! I think the silver metal is nickel, but more research is needed!

 

Look forward to seeing it !

 

On some of my nickel plated Aladdins/Rayos that have been sitting awhile collecting dust, which then collects grease particles from the air, I wipe them down with "Goof Off" then polish with a soft cloth - takes the residue off but leaves original surfaces. It has a smell for a few hours so likely wipe it down outside.

I always have a pint on hand -

 

that's a hoot !!

 

Yikes, I hope at least YOU have seen a pic of it. I agree buffing wheel would for me be a last resort. Maybe a pic of something similar would give us something to go on - like what kind of a stand, and is it all metal, or metal on wood?

Good advice, that is my go-to polish, though I normally leave brass unpolished. Is there a reason you think you won't like it as-found and unpolished?

 

I've even seen,in the most pristine examples-Victorian brass that was faux finished,gilded,vermeiled or patinated & then lacquered by the original craftsman.
The majority of these pieces have been so thoroughly cleaned that these original finishes are gone.

 

The stand is pretty much metal. Brass and nickel. The top is covered in (shattered) silk. The stand is by Parker, and is quite an example of the Aesthetic Movement. Not able to download a pic at the moment, but yes, I’ve seen photos.

Ive been calling all over the area surrounding my smallish city, and nobody does brass or nickel plating, should that be necessary. After reading this last post about original finishes, I’m beginning to think it would be best just to let it go. I favor a bright, restored - though faithful - look as seen in the lamp bases of some of my posts, and would hate to settle for permanently tarnished. In addition, I would equally not wish to destroy the original finish when someone else would be perfectly happy with it.

 

Ghopper-If you can find a photo of a similar piece would love to see it.
We visited a fascinating museum in London that specializes in Decorative & Industrial Arts & Design.You've all probably heard of the V&A (the Victoria & Albert Museum).
They've got tons of original & pristine examples of 19th century Fabrics/Tiles/Ceramics/Metalware/Sample Books.If we get back to London,I'd like to make an appointment to go thru private sections of their collections.
Place is astounding,and for a dedicated antiquer-just about as fascinating as the British Museum.

 

The Victoria and Albert! Be still my heart!!

 

The V&A is on my bucket list. Tick Tock!!

 

Since you don't have pics, and since we're talking about "shattered silk" - I'll assume this is what you are talking about? I'll slip in this pic of a lamp that I was able to date to 1921. Found the ad from 1921 (flapper era, start of prohibition) online and printed it out, though I don't see it online anymore. Corona Lightolier, No. 6562, June 1921. Lamp is at rest in my basement with other projects; with 18th century chairs in the background, because of course, doesn't everyone have lots of those in their basement?

Lightolier is an interesting company, started in 1904, and prolific all through the 20th century, but most popular today for the MCM lighting done in the 1950's to 70's. I first knew about the company because my architect dad filled his house with MCM Lightolier lighting when he rebuilt our family home in the 70's.

Anyway, if the pics are good enough, hopefully you can see that it has original finish on it, with some wear, sure, but if I ever get the guts to tackle restoration, I would simply clean the metal with a damp cloth, and not try to remove the finish on it. I take the condition of the metal (which I picked out of a recycling bin, btw) as its best feature, wear and all. The silk is another issue, and really the only reason this is in my basement awaiting a decision. I'm not a seamstress, and don't know where to find the proper bright green silk to do this properly. Do they even make silk fringe this long anymore? Maybe best to leave it as is - I really don't know??

 

Adding the closeups I left out, which shows condition better.

 

I would have no problem giving your lamp, were it mine, a simple wipe down.
Love that kind of pewter-ish patina.

I’ll try to screen shot a pic of the stand later on. I imagine that most reading this would love the aged, somewhat tarnished brass. I get it. But in the meantime, since I’ve become used to bright, restored brass I’d rather have that. Spoiled I guess. More later.

 

OK, so here's an image of the Parker stand.
Here's an image of the base of a lamp stand (center) which has the look to which I would want to restore the Parker stand. Replating is definitely in the cards, but I am unable to find anyone remotely close who can do it. I get that most reading this would be perfectly happy with the aged finish on the Parker stand, might even prefer it. But if I were putting the money into buying the stand, I'd want to make it look like I want it to look. Having read the posts in this thread, I'm inclined to think that Brasso and elbow grease wouldn't be enough to get it there.

 

God that stand's magnificent-Eastlake w/a touch of Deco & Nouveau.If I could afford it I'd buy it.Certain parts could be re-plated,there are also metal paints & dyes which could be hand applied.If the 'friezes' (screens) and upper 'garnish' finials could be removed-you could focus on restoration of those separately.1880's,90's,1900's do you think ?

 

I’d call it 1885. Thanks for the feedback!