What Is Patina? The Beautiful Art of Controlled Chaos

Patina. It’s a word that rolls off the tongue like poetry and coats metal like magic.

And it is all around us: on the weathered green of an old statue, the mysterious darkening on an antique candlestick, or the rich, rusty tones of a wrought iron gate. If you've seen objects like this, you deserve congratulations! You’ve experienced the world of patina.

In the simplest terms, patina is the change that occurs on a metal surface over time. Sometimes this happens naturally, courtesy of air, moisture, and time. And sometimes (especially if you're in the design world), we give nature a little nudge. Patina brings depth, character, and often a story to metal surfaces. And let’s be honest: sometimes it brings a bit of drama too.

There are at least three common types of patination: verdigris, antiquing, and rust.

Verdigris is that blue-green colour you’ll spot on copper or bronze.
Antiquing gives metal a timeworn look, accentuating details by darkening recesses.
Rust (yes, we actually invite rust!) gives steel or iron that rich, textured, orange-red finish.
Each of these deserves its own spotlight. Please don’t worry, they’re getting one. But for now, think of them as the triple threat in the theatre of metal finishes.

Working with patina is part art, part science and part mystery

Now here’s the twist: working with patina is part art, part science, and part "why is this doing something completely different than yesterday?" Ambient temperature, humidity, and possibly even what you had for breakfast can impact the final result. One day it’s dreamy, the next it’s moody. But that’s half the fun (and occasionally half the frustration).

At Metalier, we’ve embraced both the magic and the mystery. Our patinas are specially formulated to work seamlessly with our Metalier liquid metals, so you can spend less time battling chemistry and more time enjoying the transformation. Whether you’re after subtle sophistication or bold contrast, there’s a patina—and a Metalier patina, at that—for the job.

So the next time you see a beautifully aged surface, give a little nod to patina: the ultimate collaborator in turning plain metal into a masterpiece. And give a nod to Metalier too by email or completing the form below.

by mary