How to Tell if Brass is Vintage or Antique

Where to Find Authentic Vintage and Antique Brass

For more examples of genuine pieces, explore our vintage tabletop home decor collection. You’ll find candlesticks, trays, bowls, and other brass accents sourced for their for their patina and character. 

Wondering how to tell if brass is vintage or antique? Whether you’ve found a brass candlestick at a flea market, inherited a decorative bowl, or spotted a piece online, knowing the signs of authentic vintage brass can help you identify quality and age. In this guide, we’ll walk through the most reliable ways to date brass — from patina to maker’s marks — so you can shop, collect, and decorate with confidence.

1. Look for Patina

One of the most obvious signs of vintage brass is a natural patina. Over time, brass develops a warm, darkened tone from oxidation. This aged look can appear as dark spots, greenish tinges, or an all-over mellow hue. Unlike newer, polished brass, which tends to be shiny and uniform in color, vintage brass has character and depth.

2. Check the Weight

Vintage brass is usually solid and heavy. Many reproductions or modern brass items are brass-plated over a base metal and tend to feel lighter or hollow. When in doubt, pick it up. Does it feel substantial? That’s a good sign.

3. Inspect for Seams and Casting Marks

Older brass pieces were often sand cast or hand-poured into molds. Look closely for subtle imperfections, seams, or casting lines—all signs of handmade or small-batch manufacturing. These details are harder to find on mass-produced modern items.

Looking for authentic examples? Explore our vintage brass home decor collection for candlesticks, trays, bowls, and decorative accents — each piece chosen for its craftsmanship and patina.

4. Examine the Screws and Hardware

If your brass piece has screws, hinges, or other hardware, take a look at them. Slotted screws (as opposed to Phillips head screws) often indicate an older item, as the latter became popular in the mid-20th century. This small detail can be a big clue when dating vintage brass.

5. Look for Maker's Marks or Stamps

Check the bottom or back of your brass item for any maker’s marks, logos, or country-of-origin stamps. Phrases like "Made in India" or "Made in Italy" were commonly used in mid-century exports. While not always a guarantee of age, these can point you in the right direction.

A quick online search for any markings, paired with keywords like "vintage brass mark" can help you date your item more accurately. You can also compare with similar items in our curated vintage brass collection.

6. Test with a Magnet

Real brass is not magnetic. If a magnet sticks to your piece, it’s likely brass-plated rather than solid brass. While this doesn’t always indicate age, solid brass items are more commonly found in true vintage decor.

7. Consider the Style and Design

If you’ve ever wondered how to tell if brass is vintage, you’re not alone. Whether it’s a flea market find, a family heirloom, or a shop discovery, knowing the signs of authentic vintage brass can help you determine its true age and value. In this guide, we’ll share the 7 key things to look for — from patina to maker’s marks — so you can confidently identify genuine antique and vintage brass pieces.

Certain styles of brass decor were popular during specific decades. For example, Hollywood Regency, Mid-Century Modern, and Brutalist brass pieces were especially prevalent from the 1950s through the 1970s. Learning to recognize these design eras can help you narrow down when your brass item was made.

Final Thoughts

Identifying vintage brass is part art, part science — and the more pieces you handle, the sharper your eye becomes. If you’re ready to add authentic brass to your home, browse our Vintage tabletop home decor collection for candlesticks, trays, bowls, and decorative accents. Each piece is hand-picked for its quality, age, and timeless charm.

Happy Hunting!