Posted on 03/16/2011 9:49:32 AM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
We have a Sail Brothers bronze slag lamp that was made around 1900-1910. As you can see from the picture we use it as one of the regular lamps in our house (we have it plugged into one of those "as seen on TV" remote switches so we don't have to touch the lamp itself). It's quite nice with a good patina but I'm wondering if that was the color the Sail brothers had in mind when they originally made the lamp 100 years ago. We're not interested in selling it so I was thinking of having it polished and restored back to its original state. Have any of you ever had a piece of bronze polished before and how did you like the results? If I don't like it I suppose I can wait another 100 years to make it right again :-)
It’s absolutely beautiful! Perfection as it is! Truly a treasure!
For old furniture with all that nasty dark finish get a teen age boy with a belt sander to do the work. 50 grit paper works best!
I say this with not so fond memories of a high school shop class.
You didn't really have to look, did you?
It’s beautiful as is.
I once asked mine to send the Cubs to the Super Bowl.
He said, “I’ll see what I can do. At least you didn’t ask for the World Series.”
You’re gonna go blind...
If you polish it, you will reduce its value by at least half. Patina, no matter how annoying, is much to be desired. It attests to the age of the item. Cleaning and dusting with a soft, damp cloth will not harm it. It’s always best to approach antiques conservatively. sd
Then make sure you convert your 1923 Rolls Royce to a hybrid.
PROFIT!!!
How much do you want for the brush?
:-)
You bet! I’ve seen far too many antique shows where the appraiser says how much more something would have brought if they had only NOT polished or refurbished an item. If you’re doing it yourself a good dusting and that’s about it.
And literally seconds to destroy.
Yes, that certainly makes sense. My husband also has a few cival war guns, and although they look a tad on the rough side, that's part of their beauty.
It has that exact trademark, only instead of a 1 it has an 11. Does that mean it was made in 1911?
BTW my wife agrees with all of you and has threatened to beat me severely if I ever even mention polishing that lamp again.
I’ve a similar problem in that I have a Sears 1903 Violin (value nil!). It belonged to my Grandfather then my Father. I’m in Central florida and cannot find anyone with expertise.
I’ve seen a modern lamp that looks just like that.
One of the smartest things you ever did was to marry your very wise wife :>)
Yep it sure can. I make jewelry and use patina chemicals to add texture and deepth, but, it’s not the same as what happens naturally.
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