After publishing a piece about cleaning vintage brass a few weeks ago, I wanted to take a step back and write up a quickie companion blog about finding vintage brass.
I suspect that the reason why brass is so highly coveted as home decor is because it’s very versatile. Art Deco, Hollywood Regency, and mid-century modern are just a few standout decor styles that incorporate brass, but it’s a material that works for a gamut of other themes. Think a brass seashell bookend for a chic coastal look, or an elegant brass crane for an Art Nouveau vibe. And even if you’re a beige-defending minimalist, brass can add a fun pop without feeling too overwhelming.
These days, you’re more likely to find gold-painted cast metal or resin than brass at your bread-and-butter home goods stores. Which is to say, solid brass can be kind of tough to find. As a vintage dealer, I know it can be highly lucrative but seldom find it lying around for a good price.
Still, you can certainly up your luck with the following tips for sourcing vintage brass — I’ve waded through grody thrift stores and jam-packed estate sales to give you the 411.
Thrift stores
OK, I know this is a thrifting blog, but thrift stores can be hit or miss when it comes to brass. Places like Goodwill often put their brass stuff online, while other stores mark brass up and put them in glass cabinets behind the checkout counter. Once in a blue moon, I’ll find brass on the main floor of a thrift store at a reasonable price. It’s still worth looking at the stuff behind the glass cases — sometimes, there’s good stuff, and sometimes, you come across a pricey piece that’s too good to skip.
I will say that antique stores and independent thrift stores have more reasonable prices for brass. Unlike big chains, these stores are usually smaller with more limited space, so having stuff sell and go out of the door is essential. Plus, these spots also tend to incentivize customers to buy by offering coupons and sales, so you’re more likely to get a good deal on vintage brass.
Antique fairs and flea markets
To be honest, I’ve had the best luck finding brass at open markets and antique fairs. While everyone and their mother has Google lens and a phone to set ludicrous UNSOLD eBay prices, in-person market vendors do keep their local foot traffic in mind when pricing, and they’re often willing to bargain. I loathe haggling, but it’s often expected when you go to an antique/flea market.
Estate sales
My second favorite source for buying brass is estate sales. It’s worth browsing estate sale preview photos on Facebook Marketplace or Estate Sales.net instead of going to a sale blind — you want to make sure there’s brass there to begin with. I recommend going on the first estate sale day for first dibs. Depending on a company’s pricing structure, brass can go quickly.
For the best deals, you can risk going the last day at the last hour. (Of course, your selection may be pretty picked over by this point.) Most estate sales offer 50% to 75% off the sticker price on the last day. Often, companies want to get rid of their stuff ASAP when the sale is near closing, so you might be able to build a lot/pile of stuff for a very good price.
Online
As a vintage reseller who specifically collects brass, I’d be remiss not to mention online sources for brass. You can poke around sites like Etsy, Ruby Lane, Poshmark, and eBay for great finds. For the best deal possible, do your research across multiple resale platforms and sort by price. Personally, I don’t mind paying a little more if the seller has clear photos/descriptions and good reviews.
It’s also worth looking into bidding sites like ShopGoodwill, although you’ll often need to buy in lots and pay for shipping, which can cost an arm and leg considering how heavy brass is.
So, there you have it, everything you need to know about how to find vintage brass at the best prices possible. Brass is often hard to find due to its broad and timeless appeal — everyone’s picking it up. But it’s still possible to find it out there and to find it out there for cheap with some of the tips above. Happy hunting, folks!
