What is patina?

While polishing items like sterling silver dinnerware and brass bookends requires a little elbow grease, there’s a point where scrubbing can actually go too far. Pssst… we won’t tell your mom if you don’t. Part of what makes these antique items so special is their natural patina, a thin layer that forms on a surface due to age, wear, or chemical reactions. Patina occurs when a metal is in a certain environment, and its aged appearance gives an object some shine, hinting at its history, character, or authenticity. Perhaps the most famous example of patina is the Statue of Liberty, which was once made of copper and now has its signature green hue. Patina doesn’t have to occur on such a grand scale, however. Even the most ordinary household items can develop patina over time, giving them an undeniably classy appearance.

How is a patina created?

Metalworking has been a part of Jason Fredrick’s family for over 30 years. He has worked on some of America’s most historically significant buildings, such as The Homestead and Monticello. Living in Virginia, our country’s first colony, it’s no surprise that Fredrick has a special interest in history and the architecture that shaped our past and continues to shape our present. Shades of Light’s Colonial Metalcrafts collection stands out because it is entirely handcrafted; no power tools are required. As such, Frederick has developed a great appreciation for patina: “It’s a byproduct… beautiful and protective,” he says. Patina is created when metal reacts to its environment. “A copper fixture can exhibit different characteristics, shades and aging rates depending on weathering and other environmental factors,” he explains. He says he’s even seen cases where the same fixture was used on the front and back of a home, but took on a different patina due to weathering.

Is patina a bad thing?

Metals like brass and copper are living materials that change over time due to handling or exposure to the elements. The patina is part of what makes these materials so special and durable. “If you put a copper fixture in a normal environment, it will adapt and form that patina, and it will not deteriorate over our lifetime,” he says. In fact, brass is often preferred in coastal or maritime areas because of its ability to withstand the elements.

Brass doorknobs and hinges undergo what Tom Hooper calls “honest patina,” the natural darkening process. Hooper is co-owner and co-crafter of ASL Pewter, a renowned pewter shop that has supplied pewter pieces for film and television sets such as the HBO series. John Adams Miniseries. “Every time you touch (an object), you add a little more patina, which is actually very desirable. When high-quality furniture that is several hundred years old is repainted, it reduces its value,” he explains.

How do you get a patina?

In short, avoid vigorous polishing, or at least abrasive polishing. The dark spots that get into the cracks of sterling silver flatware or pewter decor add to its beauty and are sometimes done intentionally. Hooper says of his company’s popular Christmas decorations, “We use an acid patina and then remove most of it to create a little darkness so those details stand out.”

What happens if a natural patina forms too quickly?

If a natural patina is forming too quickly, Fredrick recommends Renaissance Wax to slow it down. “You can use it on anything; leather, wood and metal. It’s great,” he says. His main advice is to avoid clear coats and varnishes, as these take away the item’s ability to age naturally (and thus the patina!).

Is patina a sign of quality?

Both our experts say yes and no. Typically, people like to see a little patina even on brand new items, and so both Shades of Light and ASL Pewter offer products that they patina themselves. ASL Pewter has a museum finish inspired by the primitive decor trend. Today, Hooper is seeing a rise in its traditional shiny pewter finish, which (bonus!) doesn’t require polishing. However, both experts say that the patina process is ultimately impossible to replicate. If you’re new to antique shopping, take a small magnet with you when shopping to test items that claim to be brass. If the magnet sticks, you’ve actually found a brass-coated steel item, not a solid brass item.

Quality materials age well over time. Hooper sources its pewter from the USA, as does Shades of Light. In fact, they source it from Revere Copper. Yes, that very Revere. “Paul Revere was a metalsmith, and the Revere company still comes from that family today,” he says. Now that’s what you might call aging well!