A brazier is a craftsperson who works with brass. One of the first alloys discovered, brass has been used since prehistory; the brazier is thus one of the earliest metalworkers. For centuries, brass has been used to create items for architectural and industrial use as well as for luxury items, such as jewelry and musical instruments. In modern times, brass is still widely used for these items as well as machine and electrical parts, but the term brazier itself has fallen into disuse.
Brass is an alloy created by combining the base metals copper and zinc. This process was discovered in ancient times; since the metal is malleable and has a low melting point, it was easy to shape before the invention of modern industrial metalworking methods. Bronze, a similar alloy composed of copper and tin, was used to create weapons and armor because it was more resilient than brass. Brass became the metal of choice for decorative items, and the brazier was an important artisan in early society.
From Roman times to the Middle Ages, braziers created public works, coins, and vessels for eating and drinking. In European nations such as England, brass monuments decorated the tombs of statesmen and important historical figures. These durable decorations lasted for centuries, providing later generations with valuable insights into ancient art and life. It became a fashion to make “rubbings” of these brass sculptures, copying their shapes onto paper sheets that became cherished heirlooms in their own right.
During the Renaissance, refinements in the brass-making process allowed the brazier to create fine art, watches, scientific equipment and musical instruments. Brass was highly prized for its gold-like appearance, while it was cheaper and more practical than gold for most uses. Brass resists rusting and oxidation, so it was also ideal for ship fittings and plumbing. After the Industrial Revolution, it found applications in factories dealing with flammable materials, as it does not create sparks as some other metals do.
The usefulness of brass continued into modern times, but the brazier became part of a larger class of metalworkers, no longer recognized as a unique figure. In the 21st century, brass is used to make electronics, machinery, shell casings for firearms ammunition, and even zippers. Only those brass workers with an exceptional sense of heritage or professional pride call themselves braziers, however. Most classify themselves by some other occupational title, with little sense of the long history of brass artisans preceding them.