Brass naturally develops a patina as it reacts with the air, which is part of its character. If you want it to stay bright, we apply a lacquer that holds the polish, and maintenance is just occasional dusting. If you prefer the metal to age, we can leave it unlacquered, and an occasional wipe or polish lets you control how far the patina goes. A living-finish bronze is meant to age and needs essentially no upkeep at all.