Brass Around the World

October 14, 2014

Brass, an alloy of zinc and copper has been shining for centuries around the world.

India

In India, brass and its close cousin bronze, a copper and tin alloy, have been around since 3500 BCE—that’s over 5500 years! Some of the earliest examples found in the Indus Valley use the ancient method of lost-wax casting whereby a wax figure is covered with ash and clay, fired so that the clay hardens and the wax melts, and then filled with molten brass or bronze.

In Mumbai, we purchased most of our vintage brass household wares (such as these kettles and tiffin carriers) and lost-wax castings of the Goddess Parvati and the God Shiva from Ishaque, the owner of a little store on Mutton Street in Chore Bazaar.

South East Asia: Malaysia & Vietnam

Not surprisingly, South East Asia, was full of brass. We especially liked these engraved brass ceremonial bowls that date back to the late 1800s from Malacca, Malaysia. They were probably used to carry fruit and flowers during Malay wedding ceremonies. A bride in Malaysia may well have worn these stunning brass pins in her hair.

In Hanoi, Vietnam, we found lots of beautiful brass jewelry, as well as vintage oil lamps.

Ghana

In Ghana we were lucky enough to learn more about the magical craft of lost wax casting from Akwasi Noruer in the village of Krofofrom.

Morocco

In Marrakech, Morocco silver is often the preferred metal, since it is thought to be the metal of the Prophet, but its poorer cousin brass is still plentiful. We purchased vintage brass teapots in the Souk Nahassine (the brass and copper souk) from Chaaroui Mohamed, whose family has been in the brass business for generations.

Bolivia

Founded in 1545, Bolivia’s main attraction was the Cerro de Potosí, also known as the “Cerro Rico,” or “Rich Mountain”. So much silver was mined that today the peak is a couple hundred meters shorter than it was originally. After 1800, most of the silver was gone and many products, such as these spurs and hunting horns were made from poorer alloys like brass. We purchased them from Cecibel Martinez, whose family has been selling brass and silver in La Paz, Bolivia for over 50 years.