Keeping brass well

Brass wants very little. A dry cotton cloth after each use is ninety per cent of the work.

Twice a year, make a paste of tamarind pulp and rock salt, work it over the surface with your fingers, rinse in warm water and dry immediately and completely. The shine comes back without stripping the piece.

Avoid commercial metal polish on anything with an antique patina — it will take the patina off in one pass and it does not come back.