🕯️ Occult Philosophy −24%

The Brass Book, American, English, and European: 15th Century to 1850 (Revised) Schiffer

✍️ Schiffer
Reader Score
4.6
(1 review)
$60.00 $79.00 Save $19.00 (24%)
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Delve into the profound history of brass, a metal imbued with both practical purpose and subtle alchemical resonance, spanning from the 15th century to 1850. This authoritative tome meticulously unveils the evolution of countless brass artifacts, from ceremonial candlesticks and hearth accoutrements to esoteric instruments and forgotten domestic wares. Beyond mere identification, it illuminates ancient crafting methods like sand casting, deciphers the material's composition, and provides vital insights into discerning genuine antiquities from cunning forgeries, offering a key to unlocking the hidden narratives within these enduring objects.

🕯️
Occult Philosophy
🏛 Schiffer Publishing 📅 1997 📖 447 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9780916838171
Fun Fact
This volume stands as an indispensable resource for anyone drawn to the material esoterica of historical brass. Its unparalleled depth in identification, historical context, and crafting techniques makes it a definitive guide, illuminating the hidden world of these artifacts. While those seeking purely mystical texts might find its focus too tangible, scholars of craft and collectors of arcane curiosities will discover an invaluable compendium, offering a profound connection to the past.

📝 Description: The Brass Book, American, English, and European: 15th Century to 1850 (Revised) Schiffer

This is the definitive book about brass objects. Large sections are devoted to andirons, candlesticks, fireplace accessories, kettles and tobacco boxes. There are useful dating charts for andirons and candlesticks. Each of these sections is more complete than any previous volume, and could have been published as a separate book. Smaller sections include horse brasses, scientific and occupational instruments, and table wares. The development of artistic styles in brass are fully illustrated and explained in their historical context. The accompanying text explains the composition of brass, eighteenth century method of sand casting, and ways to identify old copies and fakes. A fascinating eighteenth century brass-makers catalog is reproduced in its entirety at the end of the book. Unusual brass items from many private collections, museums and antiques dealers are presented and compared. Very few of these items have ever been published before.

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
While authoritative in its coverage of brass artifacts from the 15th century to 1850, this book is strictly for those interested in material history and esoteric symbolism. It does not suit readers looking for narrative fiction or general entertainment, nor will it appeal to those uninterested in technical details of metal composition or casting methods. The focus on identification and forgery detection may feel dry to casual browsers. However, for the specialist seeking to understand the profound history and hidden craft of brass, it offers a comprehensive and necessary resource. It is a dense, informative tool rather than a light read.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This volume serves as an essential guide for the dedicated collector, the curious historian, and the practitioner of occult sciences who views objects as vessels of hidden power. Readers seeking to distinguish genuine antiquities from cunning forgeries will find immense value in its meticulous identification techniques. It appeals to those fascinated by the intersection of practical craftsmanship and subtle alchemical resonance, offering a deep dive into the narratives embedded within brass artifacts. Whether you are deciphering ceremonial candlesticks or understanding sand casting methods, this book provides the vital insights needed to unlock the enduring stories of these objects. It is not merely a catalog but a key to understanding the human ingenuity and arcane secrets forged over centuries.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★★
For those who seek to understand the material culture behind ritual objects, the alchemical significance of metals, or the hidden stories within historical artifacts. Collectors, historians of craft, and seekers of forgotten knowledge will find its comprehensive detail invaluable for their esoteric…

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

While authoritative in its coverage of brass artifacts from the 15th century to 1850, this book is strictly for those interested in material history and esoteric symbolism. It does not suit readers looking for narrative fiction or general entertainment, nor will it appeal to those uninterested in technical details of metal composition or casting methods. The focus on identification and forgery detection may feel dry to casual browsers. However, for the specialist seeking to understand the profound history and hidden craft of brass, it offers a comprehensive and necessary resource. It is a dense, informative tool rather than a light read.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Absolutely. Far from a mere overview, this revised edition offers sections so thoroughly detailed on specific categories like andirons and candlesticks that each could stand as an independent treatise, providing an unparalleled depth of scholarship.
Indeed. It contains invaluable dating charts for key items and provides expert guidance on recognizing subtle stylistic cues and construction methods that distinguish genuine historical pieces from modern reproductions or outright fakes.

📖 Who should read this

For those who seek to understand the material culture behind ritual objects, the alchemical significance of metals, or the hidden stories within historical artifacts. Collectors, historians of craft, and seekers of forgotten knowledge will find its comprehensive detail invaluable for their esoteric pursuits.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Unveiling Material Secrets

This volume meticulously dissects the very essence of brass, exploring its composition and the ancient art of sand casting. It reveals the often-overlooked techniques employed by artisans through the centuries, offering profound insights into the transformation of raw materials into objects of beauty and utility.

Decoding Ancient Artifacts

Learn to discern genuine antique brass from clever imitations and outright forgeries. The book provides crucial dating charts for key items like andirons and candlesticks, alongside detailed stylistic analyses. It empowers the reader to become a discerning connoisseur, equipped to read the subtle language within each artifact.

Historical Craft Evolution

Trace the fascinating lineage of brass objects across centuries and continents, from 15th-century Europe to 19th-century America. The text elucidates how artistic currents shaped everything from practical hearth tools to intricate scientific instruments, placing each piece within its specific cultural and historical milieu.

📜 Historical context

Brass, a timeless alloy, holds a rich place in both mundane utility and esoteric tradition. From its alchemical associations with the planet Venus to its use in crafting early scientific instruments for astrological observation, brass has long been intertwined with human understanding of the cosmos and the crafting of ritual tools. This work chronicles its material expression.

📚 Glossary

Andirons
Sand Casting
Horse Brasses

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. Consider an everyday object in your own home. What hidden history or forgotten craft might be embedded within its creation and materials?
  2. Reflect on the alchemical symbolism often associated with metals like brass. How might this deeper meaning influence your perception of historical artifacts?
  3. If you could unearth one brass artifact from the past, what would it be, and what secrets do you hope it would reveal about its original purpose or owner?

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