How to recognize Old Brass Trivets from NEW Brass Trivets.

IS IT POSSIBLE to distinguish between old trivets and modern reproductions? Many collectors are frustrated by the difficulty experienced in doing so; others simply avoid collecting brass trivets entirely, realizing that it is so easy to "AGE" a modern one. Here are a few tips to keep in mind that I have collected from other collectors collecting trivets.

1) On the authentic old brass and copper trivets, since the work was hand-done, the legs almost invariably pierce the tops. The top will be of sheet metal of uniform thickness which may be from 1/16 to 3/16 inches. Cast brass trivets are not common, but when found, the legs are cast integral with the top.

2) The top of an old trivet is quite often warped and uneven as a result of holding heavy objects, of being used as a stepping stool, and of being dropped, thus bending the point.

3) The uniform application of bangs and nicks is suspect. There are certain places where trivets will usually get marked, depending on the type of use it had. I have one trivet which was obviously used as a hammer to drive a nail. One edge is badly scarred; otherwise it is unmarked.

4) The upper surface of a trivet will be much smoother than the underside. The smoothing effort was concentrated on the upper surface only, the back often showing pit marks.

5) The under surface will usually be dark green or black, much darker than the upper surface. No matter how tarnished the trivet may be when you get it, someone at some time has taken care of it, and repeated polishings will have smoothed off rough edges and corners. It will regain a fine luster when polished. Often while polishing an old trivet, you can detect the scratch marks from an earlier polishing with coarse abrasive.

6) The edges often will show the marks of hand-filing. Be wary of a piece which shows the use of an emery wheel.

7) Sharp edges or roughness anywhere often betray a reproduction. The maker of an old trivet had the time and pride enough in his work to see that it was properly finished. This included removing burrs and rough places.

8) The legs of a trivet often reveal the age of the piece. Bangs and falls may have loosened them and bent them inward, the foremost leg seeming to suffer the most. It is often more bent, its forward edge is worn and rounded. The same applies to the outer edges of the other two legs. Uniform rounding of all edges of all legs is suspect.

9) Become familiar with the patterns being reproduced, and the characteristics of these trivets, their size and weight, type and lenght of leg, where and how they have been marked by their makers, since honorable makers of reproductions will stamp their product. Be suspicious of seeing several brass trivets of the same or varying design, all with identical aging characteristics, at the same time, in the same place. Old brass trivets are not likely to be found that way.

10) No single one of the above points, but a combination of all of them is the best way to identify an old trivet. Sometimes, even with all this in mind, you cannot be sure. Some dealers, unfortunately, give trivets a bath which removers all dirt and aging from the front and back.