Posted 12 years ago
Katestlouis
(35 items)
Hello, would appreciate the help if anyone knows how I can clean these without removing the patina that Antiquest Roadshow always talks about.
Box on the left is by Jennings Brothers it is stamped 580 on the bottom. Tried looking that number up on the internet and did not find a clear answer as to what type of metal or metal with coating it could be. Flowing Art Nouveau is lovely but it is dirty.
Box on the right was made in Japan, Not sure what the metal is. Does have a liner at the bottom, wonder if it was a cigarette case.
Any help is most appreciated.
If you want to leave the patina, use dish soap & and a tooth brush. Using your spouse's tooth brush is not recommended.
The first picture is called "Daisy" circa 1906-1908 and appears to be bronze. I wouldn't clean this with anything but a non-abrasive soap, lightly damp cloth, basically just to remove dust. The greenish color IS the patina. The box on the right appears to be painted and also would only clean same as noted above. It looks like it has a copper bottom plate and cedar wood inside panels so I would assume it was a cigar box, not a humidor, just a box.
Don't use a toothbrush if that one is painted, it will scratch and/or remove the paint. (and also ONLY a lightly damp soft cloth) - NO HARD RUBBING (a genie wouldn't come out anyway)
Thank you to all who responded. Love the wry humor.
tHANKS agh FOR YOUR LESSON ABOUT CLEANING