What's The Difference Between Aged Brass and Polished Brass?

Aged Brass and Polished Brass are two of From The Anvil's most popular finishes, and we're often asked the difference between them. While visually similar, there are several distinctions between the two, which we'll explain further in this blog.

Contents

• How are Aged Brass and Polished Brass made?
• What's the Difference Between Aged Brass and Polished Brass?
• How to Style Aged Brass and Polished Brass
• How to Maintain Aged Brass and Polished Brass

How are Aged Brass and Polished Brass made?

Both Aged Brass and Polished Brass products are hand forged from solid, unlacquered brass. The absence of a lacquer leaves the metal exposed to the elements. Over time, the oxygen in the air will react with the brass, causing both finishes to darken and develop a rich patina.

What's the Difference Between Aged Brass and Polished Brass?

Though the manufacturing process is similar for both, Aged Brass products undergo an accelerated ageing process which causes a dark patina to gather around the edges and recesses of the surface. This creates a wealth of depth that adds character to any space.

Polished Brass does not undergo this same ageing process. Instead, it is highly polished to create a bright and reflective surface. Similarly to Aged Brass, this finish will also continue to darken over time, but can be restored to its high-sheen appearance by polishing with a small amount of Brasso.

How to Style Aged Brass and Polished Brass

Thanks to their shared brass base, Aged and Polished Brass can be styled very similarly. Try pairing with bold colours with warm undertones, like red, orange, and pink to create a statement look, or opt for cooler shades like green and blue for a more subdued aesthetic. More neutral tones like cream, white, and beige are an excellent way to modernise brass hardware.

For a contemporary look, opt for clean, crisp materials like quartz, smooth stone, and painted timber. To add a classical twist, introduce luxurious accents like velvet, silk, or even textured wallpaper.

How to Maintain Aged Brass and Polished Brass

The amount of maintenance your brass products require will depend on the look you desire. If you favour the rich and characterful appearance of brass as it oxidises, you can leave it to naturally tarnish. However, if you prefer the bright and shiny look, you can use a soft cloth and a small amount of Brasso to polish the surface of the metal as regularly as you like. 

In either case, we advise against the use of chemical cleaners as these may damage the finish. Regular oiling of all moving parts using From The Anvil's 3-in-1 oil is beneficial to the longevity of the products and is highly recommended during initial installation. An oily cloth can also be used to wipe over the surface of the product from time to time to aid protection against external and environmental elements.

Above: From The Anvil's Aged Brass hardware (left) and Polished Brass hardware (right).

Which would you choose; Aged Brass or Polished Brass?

Shop From The Anvil's full collection of Aged Brass products here, or shop their full Polished Brass range here.