Preservation · 7 min
Caring for brass and copper
Editorial team · updated 2026-09-29
Dust
Dust with a soft dry cloth. Fingerprints tarnish metal, so handle with cotton gloves if possible.
Polish rarely
Heavy polishing removes fine engraving. Many collectors prefer some tarnish.
Food use
Unlined copper should not be used for acidic food; tinned lining wears and needs renewing.
Related photographs
Representative photographs, not of any specific catalogued object. Sources on the credits page.