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Featured Do I need to polish the bronze plate?

Discussion in 'Art' started by Jose Garcia, Feb 24, 2025.

  1. Jose Garcia

    Jose Garcia Active Member

    IMG_3123.jpeg IMG_3125.jpeg IMG_3124.jpeg Do I need to polish this bronze plate to a golden shine? Or leave it as is with the patina.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 24, 2025
    sabre123, johnnycb09 and wlwhittier like this.
  2. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    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
     
    mirana, sabre123, johnnycb09 and 2 others like this.
  3. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

  4. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

  5. Roaring20s

    Roaring20s Well-Known Member

  6. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    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.
     
    sabre123 and Jose Garcia like this.
  7. Jose Garcia

    Jose Garcia Active Member

    Vale. Gracias
     
    johnnycb09 and wlwhittier like this.
  8. Jeff Drum

    Jeff Drum Well-Known Member

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

    Jose Garcia Active Member

    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)
     

    Attached Files:

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  10. Chinoiserie

    Chinoiserie Well-Known Member

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

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    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.
     
  12. Bev aka thelmasstuff

    Bev aka thelmasstuff Colored pencil artist extraordinaire ;)

    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.
     
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  13. Wheeble

    Wheeble Active Member

    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.
     
    Jose Garcia likes this.
  14. mirana

    mirana Well-Known Member

    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. :D
     
    Jose Garcia likes this.
  15. Chinoiserie

    Chinoiserie Well-Known Member

    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.
     
    mirana and Jose Garcia like this.
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