Brass is an alloy made by combining Copper and Zinc. Brass has been used to make items for hundreds of years due to its durability and elegance. Unfortunately however, brass can accumulate dirt and greasy oils, and over time will tarnish.
Sometimes your brass is not meant to be cleaned and by doing so you could greatly reduce its value. The Patina a turquoise colouring that forms can add character to your piece and is used to determine the age of the piece.
If in doubt please consult a specialist.The easiest way to tell if your piece is lacquered is it will normally appear more yellowish in appearance.
Care should be taken when cleaning brass not to use abrasive cleaning chemicals as they could scratch the surface of the brass.