Featured Do I need to polish the bronze plate?

Do I need to polish this bronze plate to a golden shine? Or leave it as is with the patina.

 

Leave it as it is (although I suspect you'll be told to remove the verdigris from the back.) And typo alert. Think you mean "plaque."

Debora

 

Ditto.

 

No molestar!

 

FYI, it's origin ...
https://www.bada.org/object/kpm-porcelain-plaque-depicting-scene-shakespeares-play-othello

Carl Ludwig Friedrich Becker, Othello, 1880

 

Im the first one to polish away but it finally got thru my thick skull thats not always preferred . Leave it for the buyer to decide. If your keeping it, do what makes you feel better.

 

Vale. Gracias

 

NEVER polish bronze (if it is bronze). Brass, it is up to you, I wouldn’t polish it.

 

Well, I don't know. I once polished a bronze vase like this from the Grand Tour and its price went up from 100 to 300€ (sold)

 

The verdigris is part of the beauty in my eyes. Why would someone suggest it should be removed? Does it promote more corrosion?

 

it's not something you need around..... for instance..

Verdigris actually eats away at the metal in your jewellery and so should be removed if possible, as if left unchecked it can damage the finish more or spread to other pieces which are stored in close proximity. It can eventually cause brittleness to the metal, compromising the integrity of your piece.

 

In the U.S. you will find that folks want the patina. I've watched Antique Roadshow in the US a lot and I have a couple of books by the Keno brothers. They've said over and over again that the value of antiques here declines sharply when items are over-restored. On the other hand, Europeans seem to want things in 'original' condition and love polishing and refinishing.

 

I use a light tan shoe polish and buff lightly with a soft brush on my bronzes. I own them and like them to have a sheen. If I am moving the piece on, I leave it as is.

 

The patina in cases like these aids to pop out the figures and scene. Sometimes it's made deliberately for that look.

For things in general, if a person likes old stuff then they usually want it to look it's age.

 

If I sell anything brass, I usually leave it as it is and let the buyer decide what they want to do with it. They have the option then. If it is corroded I will try and restore. I rarely find any bronze at bargain prices.