Pictures of antique brass restoration by Cleveland Art Metals and Mark Erdmann

Below are shown before and after pictures of several brass objects restored by Mark Erdmann and Cleveland Art Metals.

Shown above left is an early 18th century brass candlestick with three large holes in it. Above right is the candlestick after filling in the holes with a brazing alloy identical to the color of the brass. The surface was ground and polished to match the existing contour. Restoration done by Mark Erdmann at West Dean College.

Pair of Queen Anne brass candlesticks before restoration Pair of Quenn Anne brass candlesticks after restoration

Above left is a pair of Queen Anne brass push-up candlesticks. The brass thumb screws and push-up mechanisms were both missing, and there was a large split above the slot in the left candlestick. Above right shows the pair after restoration. The thumb screws were modeled after existing similar candlesticks and cast in brass, the push-up mechanisms were fabricated out of iron to match the most likely original construction. The split area was patched with brass and brazing alloy and ground and polished smooth. Restoration by Mark Erdmann at Cleveland Art Metals.

Basics of soldering and brazing

There are many different methods of joining metals for restoring antique metalwork. Soldering and brazing are methods of joining metals through the fusion of heated alloys, which melt at a lower temperature than the melting point of the metals being joined. Different terminology is used by those in industry than in the arts and crafts so it’s helpful to define what we mean by soldering and brazing. For our purposes, we refer to the use of brass and bronze brazing alloys as “brazing”, and silver and brass solders as “soldering,” or “hard soldering”. Brass solders generally melt at a higher temperature than silver solder, and are yellow in color, whereas silver solders are (naturally) silver in color.

Solders can also be divided into two main categories: soft solder and hard solder. Soft solders are usually a tin or lead based alloy, and melt in the range of 361 to 700 degrees F. Hard solders contain silver, copper and/or zinc and require heat in the range of 1200 to 1400 degrees F. There are advantages and disadvantages of both types of solder and the choice of solder is made based on strength requirements, appearance, construction of the object and with input from the customer.

Detail of Paktong candlestick before restoration by Mark Erdmann

Detail of Paktong candlestick before restoration by Mark Erdmann

Detail of Paktong candlestick after restoration by Mark Erdmann

Above left is a detail of a paktong candlestick with an old soft solder repair that had to be removed before the stem could be properly attached in a more visually pleasing manner. Above right is a detail of the completed restoration by Mark Erdmann at West Dean College.

Soft solder repairs do have their place in metal antique restoration, but they are often misused by inexperienced people trying to repair an object at home. (See the pictures above of the paktong candlestick.) Soft solder used on the exterior of an antique brass candlestick or other metal antique is very unsightly. Objects brought to us for restoration very frequently have old repairs that need to be removed before a proper restoration can be completed.