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My new vintage collection happened unexpectedly, literally overnight. Come see the thrifted vintage brass pieces that stole my heart!
It’s officially fall and vintage brass is having a moment (or never left)! Over the past ten+ years of secondhand shopping, I’ve always been drawn to copper over brass. However, something changed recently when I started finding the most beautiful pieces of brass decor (or they found me), for the best prices, at antique shops and thrift stores…and I’m not mad about it. Obviously, thrifted brass beats buying new any day of the week but it’s also a better choice-both for your wallet and the planet. Join me below for the next thrifted goodies and the thrifted vintage brass pieces that every home needs!
Brass Beauties: Thrifted Vintage Finds Worth The Hunt
Has a vintage collection ever literally just fallen in your lap?! Because that’s what happened to me with these unexpected brass pieces. I NEVER thrift vintage brass…I don’t even look for it because usually it’s not my jam.
But, for whatever reason, five brass beauties found their way into my life, and heart, and I couldn’t be happier about it, especially with the fall season in full swing!
In this month’s Thrifted Goodies, I’m sharing how each thing found it’s way to me, the crazy-low prices I paid, and how I’ve used them to decorate my home for fall.
So, grab something warm to drink for yourself and let’s go thrifting!
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Thrifted Vintage Brass Pieces Every Home Needs- Thrifted Goodies Vol. 52
Hello, guys!
Welcome, or welcome back, to the blog and to the next installment in the ‘Thrifted Goodies’ series! If you are new around here, welcome!
This is a monthly series where my friend MaryJo from the blog Master’pieces’ of my Life and I share thrift hauls, thrifting tips, and general thrift shopping advice.
MasterPieces of My Life
My partner in this series, MaryJo, is sharing a post all about how to thrift decor for tablescapes. How fun is that?!
After you are done here, head over to her post and say hello! You may find just the thing you are looking for.
MasterPieces of My Life Social Channels:
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Shop Vintage Brass for Fall Home Decor
How to Thrift Vintage Brass
Clearly, I’m not an expert in this category yet because I literally just started thrifting brass. However, I can explain how I chose to buy each piece and the things I looked for to make sure I was getting the real deal, and for the best price.
- Check for maker’s marks or stamps– Look on the bottom or sides for stamps like ‘solid brass’, the country of origin, or maker names. These can help identify age and quality.
- Weight matters– Solid vintage brass tends to feel heavier and more substantial than reproductions, which are often lightweight and hollow inside.
- Look for patina- A little tarnish, darkening in the creases, or uneven color is a great sign of age and authenticity. The more tarnish the better, I say!
- Price expectations– A fair price to pay for vintage brass depends on where you purchase it. I would say anywhere from $10 for smaller pieces to $30 for larger pieces is a good deal for vintage brass. And, obviously you’ll pay less at a thrift store over an antique mall.
- Magnet test– Solid brass won’t attract a magnet. If it sticks, you’re likely looking at brass-plated steel or iron. If you hunt for brass often, or want to, carry a small magnet in your purse so you can do a quick check in the store.
How to Clean Vintage Brass (without damaging it)
I personally love the patina that comes along with old brass pieces, so I don’t clean/shine them. However, I know there are many who love the look of polished brass, and that’s totally fair!
So, here’s an easy cleaning method.
For unlacquered brass, a mix of lemon juice and salt or a vinegar-flour paste works well for restoring shine. If the piece has a lacquer coating (test by checking if it tarnishes evenly), avoid harsh cleaners and just use mild soap and water.
My ‘New’ Finds and Vintage Collection
We’ve come to the best part…my latest haul! I am so excited to show you the finds that jump started my newest vintage collection. For each piece, I’ll share what drew me to it, how much I paid, and how I’ve styled it in my home.
Fall decorating doesn’t need to, and shouldn’t, cost you hundreds of dollars each year. Through thrifting, and using what you already have, the season becomes much more meaningful and approachable.
Let’s get into it!
Brass Owl Bookend
The first find up is the most amazing bookend!
I’ve always loved owls. We have owls up in the pine trees in our yard and they hoot especially loud in the fall. So, I thought it was fitting to source the cutest bookend to use on my dresser to hold up this stack of books. Isn’t it so perfect?!
I found this bookend from a vintage shop called Bee Balm. I’ve talked to the owner, Becky, a few times now and she’s just great. She prices her inventory extremely fair so, believe it or not, I purchased this for just $15! Isn’t that crazy?!
My cute owl friend will grace my bedroom through the seasons because brass is a timeless metal that can be worked into spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Shop Brass Bookends for Your Home
Mid-Century Brass Birds
Even though I truly love each find in the haul, I think this set of mid-century brass birds are my favorite.
Again, I’m not usually drawn to vintage items like these but, for some reason, these birds were speaking to me! The whole set was priced at $7.99, which I thought was super fair. I looked up comps online just for fun and the exact same set is selling for $90 on Etsy. So, my birds have some value to them!
I thought and thought about what I wanted to do with my birds and where I wanted to display them. It’s kind of a commitment because each bird needs two small nails to hold them up properly when on the wall.
In the end, I came up with a wall display above my milk glass shelf. And, you guys…I think this is the prettiest that this area of my living room has ever looked. I’m obsessed with the brass against the dark wall and paired with the white glass. LOVE!
Brass Candle Sconce
This candle sconce was another very surprising and unexpected find also sourced from Bee Balm on the same day as the owl bookend.
I’ve been looking, for awhile, for a brass candle sconce to add to the gallery wall in my living room..you know..for some drama and extra detail. So, when I spotted this hanging on the wall in the store for just $12, I knew it was coming home with me!
The curved shape of it is so pretty and I love the vintage texture, and depth, that it brings to the gallery wall!
Since actual taper candles scare me, because they always tip, I opted for my favorite, ultra-realistic faux taper candle. It’s on a timer so it lights itself each night at the same time. Super pretty and cozy for fall!
Vintage Brass Tray
As the story goes, I was driving through a small town and the little antique store there just happened to be open. So, I went in for a quick spin and came out with this incredible etched brass tray!
I did pay up for this at $25 but when I saw it sitting on a table, I went ‘oh my gosh, that’s so pretty!’ When something makes you gasp like that, it’s meant to be yours. So, I didn’t argue about it with myself…I just casually walked up to the counter, paid, and on I went.
And, truly, I’ve never seen anything like it. It has an etched scene, reminiscent of Holland or Denmark with some windmills and farm scenes. The handles are also such a lovely detail!
As soon as I got it home, I knew I wanted to style it on the mantel for fall, so that’s just what I did. It adds beautiful depth and patina to the display!
Brass Mister
And, last but most certainly not least, is this incredible brass plant mister!
It’s SO rare to come across these in the wild, let alone a brass one?! Unheard of! I’ve only seen, and sourced, two of these misters in all my years of thrifting. You wanna know where I found this?! At the Minnesota State Fair of all places! There was a vintage dealer who had a booth there and she sold this to me for just $10. I was thrilled!
I have it styled in the hutch for fall. I adore the cozy, natural aesthetic that it brings to the fall vignette.
Closing Tidbits on Thrifted Vintage Brass Pieces Every Home Needs
With that, this concludes Thrifted Goodies for September! I hope you enjoyed seeing what I picked up and maybe got some ideas on how to easily style thrifted brass in your own home for fall.
Vintage brass is a timeless metal, making it a beautiful decor item to use year round. With it’s aged patina and appealing aesthetic, vintage brass can be effortlessly combined with any other decor or style. It’s magnificent!
Be encouraged to thrift that which speaks to you, keeping an open mind and heart for surprises along the way.
Wishing you a cozy, peaceful fall season!
Leave me a comment! Do you have a vintage brass collection? What’s the best piece you’ve found? I love hearing from you!
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If you are new here, I’m Rachel, the writer and content creator here at The Antiqued Journey. I’m so happy to have you! I encourage you to stop by the ‘about me’ page to get to know me a little more.
Here on the blog, you will find loads of inspiration for decorating with vintage and antique decor, simple DIY crafts and many thrifting adventures. If that interests you, I invite you to sign up for my e-mail. You will receive a free digital download as a thank you!
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FAQ’s on Thrifting Vintage Brass Decor
How do you tell if brass is real or plated?
Use a magnet. Solid brass isn’t magnetic, but if a magnet sticks, it’s likely brass-plated over steel or iron. You can also look for a slightly worn or tarnished look on edges, which often reveals a different base metal underneath if it’s plated.
Is vintage brass worth buying?
Yes! Vintage and antique brass is typically higher quality (solid, heavier) than most new brass décor, which is often thin and plated. It’s also more affordable than buying new solid brass and adds authentic character that cannot be replicated.
Should you polish or leave brass patina?
This comes down to personal taste. Some collectors prize the aged, tarnished patina for its warmth and history, while others prefer a polished, bright finish. Many designers now lean toward leaving some natural patina for an authentic vintage look.
Where can I find vintage brass for cheap?
Estate sales, thrift stores, and antique malls are typically your best bets, with thrift stores often having the lowest prices. Flea markets and yard sales can also turn up great finds, especially early in the day before other shoppers arrive.
What is vintage brass worth?
Prices vary widely depending on the piece, maker, and condition, but small decorative items often run $5-20 secondhand while larger or signed pieces can go higher. Doing a quick search for similar sold listings online can help gauge fair pricing before you buy.
Other Posts to Enjoy
Thrift Store Finds: Adding to my Vintage Collections on a Budget
Vintage Kitchen Storage Containers Worth Hunting For
The post Thrifted Vintage Brass Pieces Every Home Needs appeared first on The Antiqued Journey.