finishes + care
Below is a sampling of our more popular finishes. Most items can be produced in custom patinas or alternate plated finishes.
Hardware is made of either solid brass or solid bronze and finished by hand.
Most finishes are supplied without lacquer unless otherwise requested. Finishes without lacquer are considered a living finish. The finishes will change overtime. Surfaces of the hardware that are handled more will wear more quickly than untouched surfaces. This is considered desirable. We believe it is important to give proper consideration to the characteristics of a living finish.
Unlacquered Polished Brass
A highly polished finish of solid brass. Unlacquered Brass is a living finish, intended to oxidize and patina naturally over time.
Care: Maintaining the finish requires a light application of clear paste wax. To remove effect of natural aging, clean with a metal polish. Use soft cloth.
Hand Burnished Brass
A highly polished brass metal is skillfully hand burnished to produce a softer more vintage version, yet still having reflective quality. The finish is then treated with a light wax. Due to the burnishing process, the metal is more exposed and has a tendency to oxidize faster than a polished finish.
Care: Maintaining the finish requires a light application of clear paste wax. To remove effect of natural aging, clean with a metal polish. Use soft cloth.
Patina Antique Brass
A hand applied antiquing patina solution is used to darken the brass metal. The finish is then treated with a light wax. As you handle the finish you can expect areas touched to become lighter and those not touched to become darker. Variations in tone and depth are normal and to be expected.
Care: Maintaining the finish requires a light application of clear paste wax. Also, soft cloth with water can be used.
Medium Antique Brass
A hand applied antiquing patina solution is used to darken the brass metal. The finish is darker than the patina antique finish. The finish is then treated with a light wax. As you handle the finish you can expect areas touched to become lighter and those not touched to become darker. Variations in tone and depth are normal and to be expected.
Care: Maintaining the finish requires a light application of clear paste wax. Also, soft cloth with water can be used.
Oil Rubbed Bronze
A hand applied antiquing patina solution is used to darken the brass metal. The finish is darkest of the non plated finishes. The finish is then treated with a light wax. As you handle the finish you can expect areas touched to become lighter and those not touched to become darker. Variations in tone and depth are normal and to be expected.
Care: Maintaining the finish requires a light application of clear paste wax. Also, soft cloth with water can be used.
Polished Nickel
Bright nickel is plated finish over the solid brass. It has warm undertones and is a highly reflective. Perfect for interior application. The metal may gradually oxidize especially when used on the exterior.
Care: Maintaining the finish requires a light application of clear paste wax. Also, soft cloth with water can be used to clean the hardware, as well as use of a metal polish.
Polished Chrome
Bright Chromium is plated finish over a nickel plate over the solid brass. It has cool undertones and is a highly reflective. It is also a very durable finish, suitable for most environments.
Care: Maintaining the finish requires a light application of clear paste wax. Also, soft cloth with water can be used to clean the hardware, as well as use of a metal polish.
Hand Burnished Nickel
Nickel is plated finish over the solid brass, then the metal is skillfully hand burnished to produce a softer more vintage version, yet still having reflective quality. Due to the burnishing process, the metal is more exposed and has a tendency to oxidize faster than a polished finish.
Care: Maintaining the finish requires a light application of clear paste wax. Also, soft cloth with water can be used to clean the hardware, as well as use of a metal polish.
Satin Nickel
The brass metal is satined and then plated with nickel. There is a definite graining in the finish and hence is less reflective. The metal may gradually oxidize especially when used on the exterior.
Care: Maintaining the finish requires a light application of clear paste wax. Also, soft cloth with water can be used to clean the hardware, as well as use of a metal polish.
Satin Chrome
Satin Chromium is plated finish over a nickel plate over the solid brass. It has cool undertones and there is a definite graining in the finish and hence is less reflective. It is also a very durable finish, suitable for most environments.
Care: Maintaining the finish requires a light application of clear paste wax. Also, soft cloth with water can be used to clean the hardware, as well as use of a metal polish.
Polished Silver
Sterling Silver plate is plated finish over the solid brass material. This is a living finish and will oxidize.
Care: Maintaining the finish requires a light application of clear paste wax. Also, soft cloth with water can be used to clean the hardware, as well as use of a metal polish recommended specifically for silver plate.
Butler’s Silver
Sterling Silver plate is plated finish over the solid brass material. The finish is then lightly oxidized and carefully hand burnished to produce a vintage silver appearance. This is a living finish and will oxidize.
Care: Maintaining the finish requires a light application of clear paste wax. Also, soft cloth with water can be used to clean the hardware, as well as use of a metal polish recommended specifically for silver plate. Keep in mind the metal polish will remove the oxidation.
Light Pewter
The brass metal is burnished and satined then plated with nickel. As you handle the finish you can expect areas touched to become lighter and those not touched to become darker. Variations in tone and depth are normal and to be expected.
Care: Maintaining the finish requires a light application of clear paste wax. Also, soft cloth with water can be used to clean the hardware, as well as use of a metal polish. Keep in mind the metal polish will remove the oxidation.
Antique Gold
14 carat pure gold is plated over the solid brass and then patina to a warmer redder undertone.
Care: Maintaining the finish requires a light application of clear paste wax. Also, soft cloth with water can be used to clean the hardware, as well as use of a metal polish recommended specifically for gold plate.
