Virginia Metalcrafters Brass Finishes:
The
beautiful color of Virginia Metalcrafters brass sets it apart from any
other. Virginia Metalcrafters' carefully controlled brass formula matches a
small sample taken from a 17th Century candlestick in the Colonial
Williamsburg collection. Thus, the unique color and finish of all Virginia
Metalcrafters brass pieces continues to preserve our country's most valuable
and beautiful decorative history.
Virginia Metalcrafters’ Brass is cast from a special alloy which matches a sample taken from an antique candlestick in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg. This alloy was chosen to allow VM to exactly reproduce the soft, golden hue so prized in the 17th and 18th Centuries. Although this alloy is considerably more difficult to cast and to finish than the redder brasses commonly found in imported products, it is this alloy, plus the skills of generations of metal finishers, that provides the depth and luster you should expect in a true reproduction. Then too, VM brass pieces are cast like the original antiques so that wall thickness and overall weight are not sacrificed simply to reduce material and reduce costs.
Virginia
Metalcrafters WhiteBronze:
WhiteBronze from Virginia Metalcrafters is a unique metal known to have been used by Greek metalsmiths as early as 3000 B.C. While it is one of the oldest decorative metals known to man, WhiteBronze artifacts are rare. Naturally tarnish-resistant, WhiteBronze is lacquered and does not need polishing. It has strength and durability, making it much more practical than silver or pewter.
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Caring For Fine Brass:
Most Virginia Metalcrafters brass products are coated with a lacquer for ease of maintenance and to retard tarnishing. The only exceptions are sundials and other outdoor products.
DO NOT clean with brass polish as this will damage the lacquer. Clean with a soft sponge and warm soapy water.
To remove candle wax, soften accumulated wax with hot tap water, remove the wax with a soft sponge or cloth and clean with warm soapy water.
Should you wish to completely remove the lacquer coating, immerse the piece in lacquer thinner for approximately one hour and then gently wash with a soft sponge and soapy water. Be certain to use lacquer thinner in a well ventilated area and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
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Caring for Cast
Iron & Aluminum Garden Items:
Cast iron garden pieces will rust if the coatings are worn or damaged.
This may occur over time. If rusting occurs, sand the rusted area and follow
instructions on one of the rust retardant paints readily available on the
market. To re-create the hand-applied verdigris effect, Virginia
Metalcrafters will supply a small quantity of matched accent paint.
This paint should then be brushed over the rust retardant paint and gently
blotted with a soft cloth.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the difference between Virginia Metalcrafters
and other brass products?:
As with many high quality products, the difference between Virginia Metalcrafters’ products and others comes down to material, technique and a tradition of craftsmanship, a tradition that has been nurtured at VM for over 100 years. Virginia Metalcrafters is inextricably caught up in the conflict born in the Industrial Revolution, a conflict that places a man’s skill against machinery, quality against quantity and uniqueness against sameness.
Virginia Metalcrafters’ Brass is cast from a special alloy which matches a sample taken from an antique candlestick in the collection of Colonial Williamsburg. This alloy was chosen to allow VM to exactly reproduce the soft, golden hue so prized in the 17th and 18th Centuries. Although this alloy is considerably more difficult to cast and to finish than the redder brasses commonly found in imported products, it is this alloy, plus the skills of generations of metal finishers, that provides the depth and luster you should expect in a true reproduction. Then too, VM brass pieces are cast like the original antiques so that wall thickness and overall weight are not sacrificed simply to reduce material and reduce costs.
Brass can be formed in several ways. The original method was to pour molten brass into a cavity that has been created in damp sand. This method is called sand casting and is many thousands of years old. Another method, developed in the 20th century, is called forging. Forging involves heating a piece of brass until it is softened and then stamping out the desired shape using a large press. The hot forging of brass is a relatively new process. It was not used in the Colonial period and therefore can not be used to create an authentic reproduction.
The sand cast product produced by Virginia Metalcrafters employs hand techniques that have been used for centuries. After the molten metal is poured in to the hand made sand mold, the mold must be destroyed to remove the casting, so that each piece is unique and may display slight differences.
A sand cast product requires many hand finishing steps because the original surface created by the sand mold has the roughness of the sand itself. Castings must be ground, detailed and sanded several times to achieve a finish that is ready to be polished. Then, several polishing, lacquering and inspection steps are needed to produce the finished product. The result of so much skilled labor may result in a more expensive product, however, in a VM product you may be proud of a piece that has more than a classic design and a beautiful finish, you have the intrinsic value of something truly made by hand.
A third method of forming brass, Lost Wax casting, involves creating a model out of wax. The wax model is then coated with a heat resistant ceramic material by repeated dipping into a liquid ceramic. When the ceramic shell is thick enough and has dried, it is heated to melt the wax. The molten wax is poured out of the ceramic shell
("lost wax") and the desired metal is poured in. When cool, the shell must be carefully removed and the piece finished.
The lost wax process is very expensive and is often used in producing individual sculptures. On the other hand, a variant of the lost wax process is used to manufacture engine blocks.
As we move into the 21st Century, the consumer will continue to have choices between something hand made and something made by machines. We are, of course, proud of
VM's products and of the hundreds of VM employees who have maintained their craft skills so that
they can continue the tradition which was begun at VM's founding in 1890.
One of Virginia Metalcrafters’ mottoes continues to be, "Proud to be 200 years behind the
times."
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How should I care for Virginia Metalcrafters products?:
See "Caring For Fine Brass" above.
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Can I have a unique product made solely for my organization?:
YES! As a small company, Virginia Metalcrafters prides themselves on individual service.
They are always interested in creating individualized products and have done so for companies and organizations both large and small over the years; products as small as trivets, bookends, paperweights, door knockers, Christmas ornaments and jewelry, and items as large as three tiered chandeliers.
To order custom products, simply call Brass Gallery Customer Service
at 877-642-9223. Our representatives will be glad to help you
through the process.
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What
if I want a particular item in a different finish or style?
Ask us! Since
Virginia Metalcrafters' products are hand crafted, you will find that most
items can be ordered in a different finish or style that you may not see on
the web site.
To find out about alternate options, simply call Brass Gallery Customer Service
at 877-642-9223. Our representatives will be glad to help you.
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