Cleaning Grime off of Victorian Brooch?

Very excited with today's finds! I've not seen the tube hinge in the flesh yet, and this morning brought me two (for a euro each)! The other one is in another post, cause I need cleaning tips for this poor thing.

I passed it up at first because I thought it was damaged, but upon a second inspection it looks like just a lot of dirt and grime on top of an intact enamel. I have no idea what the base is made of, it doesn't really sound like wood when tapped with my fingernail, maybe resin? Its too dirty to tell if there's any lines for another material.

Also any ideas as to age? I was thinking AN period, 1880s/90s?

How does one clean this up? Dry soft toothbrush? Some warm water? Damp cloth? I really don't want to ruin it.

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Pretty, looks French. Is the enamel on metal?

Early 20th century, 1910s-20s, I think.

 

I'm in France, so that's most likely. It does look like its on metal, but the whole disk is raised from the base, there's a space in between.

Thanks on the date!

 

Spent last night and this morning going over it with a slightly damp cloth and a q-tip, I think its come up really nicely!
Its got a couple of spots where the enamel has left the building, but overall its in fantastic condition considering the mess it was in. There's still little areas of discoloration but I didn't want to go too far and ruin it. The base is a completely different color too, and looks like resin.

Moral of the story, don't be afraid of a little dirt when purchasing!

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What an improvement!

 

Nice going. Don’t laugh, but spit is a great cleaner.

 

I've seen videos of professional art restorers in museums using spit.

 

I'd love to see that haha, good to know! I'll have to try it next time.

 

It’s the enzymes that do it.

 

Absolutely