Quote Originally Posted by MacBean View Post

Something I've not seen done in brass, but that might be nice, is cutting out designs so that they show up behind the brass in a felt underlayer. Or use silver sheet behind the brass, or copper. I've always liked silver, brass, copper layers, but prefer the copper on top as it tarnishes fastest.
There are a few pierced brass designs, but most of the delicate work I've seen tends to be silver (or, at least, silver plate).

Frequently the first layer behind the metal cantle was a leather trim, usually with the edge pinked (saw-tooth or scalloped edging). If you look at the MacLeay paintings, you will see many metal cantles and hair sporrans with this under layer.

One BIG problem with copper is, not only does it tarnish, but is rubs off on all the materials around it, leaving blue-green oxidation on EVERYTHING.