Four Finishes, One Material
Every fixture in our catalog starts as the same thing: a sheet of solid brass, cut and shaped by hand in our workshop. The finish we apply determines the color, texture, and personality of the final piece. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right finish for your space — and know how to care for it once it is installed.
Oxidized Brass (Antique / Dark Brass)
This is our signature finish and our most popular seller. We treat the brass with a chemical solution that accelerates the natural patina process, producing a warm, dark brown-gold tone that looks like the fixture has aged gracefully for decades.
What It Looks Like
Rich, dark gold with variations in tone across the surface. The recessed areas of the pierced pattern are darker, while the raised areas catch more light. The overall effect is warm, layered, and antique.
Best For
Rustic, farmhouse, bohemian, Mediterranean, Spanish colonial, and traditional interiors. This finish also works in mid-century modern spaces where warm metals are welcome. It is the most versatile of the four.
Maintenance
Almost none. The patina is the point — it does not need polishing. Wipe with a dry or slightly damp soft cloth to remove dust. This finish hides fingerprints, water spots, and minor scratches naturally. It is the best choice for high-traffic areas and kitchens.
Browse our full collection of Moroccan lighting to see oxidized brass options across pendants, sconces, and chandeliers.
Polished Brass (Bright Gold)
This is brass in its most natural, unaltered state — buffed to a high shine. The surface is reflective, bright, and unmistakably gold.
What It Looks Like
High-shine, mirror-like gold. When the light is on, the polished surface reflects it back, creating a warm glow around the fixture itself in addition to the shadow patterns on the walls. It reads as luxurious and intentional.
Best For
Modern glam, traditional luxury, transitional, and Art Deco interiors. Polished brass is also a strong choice when you want the fixture to stand out as a statement piece rather than blend into the background. It pairs well with marble, white cabinetry, and rich fabrics.
Maintenance
This is the highest-maintenance finish. Polished brass will show fingerprints, water spots, and kitchen grease. Over time, it will begin to develop a natural patina (darkening slightly) unless you polish it regularly.
To maintain the bright shine: wipe with a soft brass-polishing cloth every few weeks. For a deeper clean, use a non-abrasive brass polish (we recommend Brasso or Wright's Brass Polish). Never use abrasive pads or steel wool.
If you want the polished look without the upkeep, consider whether the fixture is in a low-touch location. Polished brass chandeliers hung high above a dining table stay cleaner than polished brass sconces in a hallway where people brush against them.
Black Brass (Dark Matte)
We apply a matte black coating over the solid brass base. The geometric pierced patterns are still visible, but the fixture reads as dark and contemporary rather than warm and traditional.
What It Looks Like
Matte black with the faintest hint of brass warmth showing through at the edges and wear points over time. The shadow patterns on walls are sharper and more graphic than with brass finishes because of the higher contrast between the dark fixture and the light passing through it.
Best For
Modern, industrial, Scandinavian, contemporary, and minimalist interiors. Black brass works especially well in kitchens and bathrooms that already feature black hardware, faucets, or cabinet pulls. It gives you the Moroccan geometric pattern without the traditional brass warmth — useful when your color palette is cool or neutral.
Maintenance
Low. The matte coating does not show fingerprints the way polished brass does. Dust with a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners, which can scratch through the black coating and expose the brass beneath. If the coating wears at high-touch points over time, the brass showing through is part of the lived-in character.
Silver-Plated
A layer of silver is applied over the solid brass body. This gives the fixture a cool, silvery tone while retaining the weight, durability, and structural integrity of brass underneath.
What It Looks Like
Bright silver with a soft luster — not chrome-mirror shiny, but a warm silver with subtle depth. The pierced patterns read differently in silver; the shadow play is cooler and more refined than with brass finishes.
Best For
Coastal, contemporary, Scandinavian, and any space with a cool color palette (grays, blues, whites, greens). If your home has predominantly chrome, nickel, or stainless hardware, silver-plated Moroccan fixtures will integrate without clashing. It is also a strong choice for bathrooms with chrome faucets.
Maintenance
Moderate. Silver plating can tarnish over time, developing a darker patina. Some customers prefer this aged look. If you want to maintain the bright silver, wipe with a silver-polishing cloth periodically. Do not use harsh chemical silver cleaners — a gentle polish cloth is sufficient.
Browse our pendant lights and lanterns to see silver-plated options.
How Finishes Age Over Time
Every brass finish changes. This is not a defect — it is a feature of working with a natural material.
- Oxidized brass deepens slightly, becoming richer. Minimal visible change.
- Polished brass will slowly darken and develop patina unless polished regularly. Many customers let this happen intentionally — the gradual shift from bright gold to a warm, aged tone is what brass is known for.
- Black brass may show hints of brass at edges and high-contact points. This worn-through effect is considered a desirable character mark.
- Silver-plated develops a subtle tarnish over years. A quick polish restores the brightness.
If you want a fixture that looks the same in ten years as it does today, oxidized brass is your best bet. If you embrace change, any finish will reward you.
Matching Finishes Across Rooms
You do not need to use the exact same finish in every room. What matters is staying in the same tone family.
Warm family: Oxidized brass, polished brass, and black brass (which has warm undertones) all work together. You can put oxidized brass pendants in the kitchen, polished brass chandeliers in the dining room, and black brass sconces in the hallway. They will not match exactly, but they will feel cohesive.
Cool family: Silver-plated fixtures stand alone. If you use silver in one room, either continue with silver in adjacent rooms or pair it with black brass, which bridges warm and cool tones.
The rule: Finishes you can see at the same time (standing in one spot) should match or be from the same tone family. Finishes in separate rooms have more flexibility.
Care Summary
| Finish | Maintenance Level | Cleaning Method | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxidized Brass | Low | Dry or damp soft cloth | Brass polish (removes the patina) |
| Polished Brass | High | Brass polish cloth, non-abrasive brass cleaner | Abrasive pads, steel wool |
| Black Brass | Low | Soft dry cloth | Abrasive cleaners, scouring pads |
| Silver-Plated | Moderate | Silver polish cloth | Harsh chemical silver dips |
Find Your Finish
Browse our collections to see each finish in action: pendant lights, chandeliers, wall sconces, lanterns, lamps, and ceiling lights. Every piece is handcrafted from solid brass in our workshop and available in multiple finishes.
