Solid Brass Door Knockers

Today, brass is the choice medium for functional artwork. The Jefferson Brass Company proudly presents its collection of, doorknockers, coat hooks, and doorstops. Read more...

What makes Jefferson Brass Door Knockers unique

Brass doorknockers have evolved from being a good luck charm placed on the front doors to being a statement of tasteful personal style. You can spot a brass door knocker on any type of house door, from colonial to contemporary. Don’t be surprised if most of them bear the signature work of The Jefferson Brass Company. Read more...

Brass Fireplace Accessories

The Jefferson Brass collection of fireplace accessories features classic designs to fit ay home décor. Read more...

Jefferson Brass Fireplace Accessories

By far the most popular item is the Virginia's Blow Poke , a combination of a bellows and a poker that utilizes the principle of air movement discovered by Bernoulli in the 18th century. A Jefferson Brass exclusive, this exquisitely designed fire tool is the best way to restart a dwindling fire. Read more...

Religious Brass Accessories

At Jefferson Brass we’ve created unique, handcrafted gifts perfect for celebrating memorable events.  Read more...

Solid Brass Tabletop Accessories

Today, brass is the choice medium for functional artwork. The Jefferson Brass Company proudly presents its tabletop collection of fine gifts and home accents in solid brass. Read more...

Candle Holders and Candlesticks

Brass candle sticks and brass candleholders are perfect complements to a dinner table lighting arrangement, mantelpiece design, or simply an addition of elegant style to any part of the home or workplace. JeffersonBrass.com offers the best variety of hand-crafted brass candlesticks. Read more...

Jefferson Brass Company’s Brass Gift Guide

Every year, the Jefferson Brass Company designs spectacular new products in its most popular lines to help keep their loyal customer base returning. Read more...

What Makes Jefferson Brass Company Special

If you are seeking ideas for original gifts and brass accessories, then Jefferson Brass is a place to shop. With a rich history of experience and strong base of expertise, the skilled craftsmen at Jefferson Brass make excellent designs that match modern day functionality. Read more...

Hefty Weight

A quarter of a century ago in a small studio workshop, an idea was conceived. A husband and wife began to design a small gift line to be made with the finest materials and attention to detail. Their concept was simple. Adding more brass and thus creating a real human dimension to each of their pieces would add an increment level of value unmatched anywhere in the marketplace. Read more...

Why We Don’t Lacquer Our Brass

Lacquer is a clear coating which protects and preserves the brass by sealing it from air, which oxidizes (tarnishes) it. Lacquer does not initially affect the color of the brass, and is thought to eliminate the need for polishing. However, with the onset of oxidation, the lacquer will deteriorate, and that’s where the trouble begins. So here at Jefferson Brass, we decided to hand polish each piece, and seal it in air tight bags, rather than lacquer. Read more...

Tips On Cleaning Brass and Maintaining Unlacquered Brass

All brass that does not have a varnish/lacquer must be polished from time to time, just like fine silver. It is a simple process and should not be a deterrent from buying unlacquered brass. Jefferson Brass has traditionally never lacquered their brass. Read more...

What is brass?

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, used and prized since ancient times for its beauty, resilience, and durability. Color variations are the result of slightly different proportions of copper and zinc. Brass can be cast (Jefferson Brass), forged, spun, or die-cut. It is used in our homes for fine hardware, lighting fixtures, fireplace equipment, candlesticks and many other decorative pieces. It can also be finished in a number of ways. These include highly polished (Jefferson Brass); satin or brushed finish; hand rubbed finish; and antique, bronze and verdigris.

A piece is solid brass if the material is pure brass—whether it is the hollow tube of a fire tool or chandelier arm or a two pound candleholder. Jefferson Brass is always solid brass. Solid brass can be polished to its original beauty, but if a piece has been lacquered in the past, you must first remove the old lacquer. It can be removed without damaging the brass by using paint or lacquer remover.

If you are wondering if your piece is solid brass or brass plated, here is how you can tell. Test with a magnet. Solid brass is not magnetic. If the magnet sticks, the item is most likely steel or cast iron and has been brass plated. Still not convinced? Take a sharp tool, and scratch a small area that is unnoticeable. If you see yellow underneath that scratch mark, it is more than likely solid brass.

Jefferson Brass does not presently lacquer its pieces. We prefer the look/patina of hand polished brass, and many of our customers prefer the same. If you find that time just doesn’t allow you to polish your brass, then you may consider having it lacquered. But remember lacquer will eventually deteriorate and will have to be removed before you can polish it. The durability of lacquer on outdoor items, such as door knockers, varies widely depending on the location and how much direct or indirect weathering the piece is subject to. You can always repolish and relacquer if need be.