Is there lead in this antique brass pitcher?

11 years ago

Hello,

I have a fondness for antique metal cookware (yeah, I know. I am an eccentric. Have been all my life and I am 48 y/o.) and have just recently heard that there is actually brass in lead. Is NOTHING safe??? Brass is an alloy of mostly copper and zinc.

Here is a photo of the pitcher I am concerned about. Looks to be about 150-200 years old and artisan-made. It has a mottled color that I presumed was a result of the copper content being high. Any ideas?

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Comments (3)

swvirginia
11 years ago
Hello,

I would suggest purchasing a lead test kit at your local hardware store, Home Depot , etc. I believe they sell for around $10.00.
bradleyd_svh
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks. Have just been hearing about them as I have been asking in a couple of different forums. (I am on the antiques and collectibles page of Gardenweb.com too) I REALLY REALLY hope the lead test comes back negative. Okay, it's not as if I am getting a health screening for a terminal disease, but this is my favorite piece. Sturdy, rough-hewn, extremely useful and possibly one of a kind. Looks like it was made in some blacksmith shop a couple centuries ago by a skilled iron-smith who decided to try his hand at brass just once. It will probably be around 500 years after the rest of us are dust. Love it! Photo is just after vigorous polishing.
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bradleyd_svh
Original Author
11 years ago
Shamelessly showing off, but this is how it looked before polishing. Only $25 in an antique/thrift shop. I got accused of being a "thief" (meaning I found the "steal of the day") for this purchase. Not my fault if the vendor doesn't know what he's got.