Cast brass/ bronze leaf

I am aware, that trying to id such things is like looking for a needle in a haystack, but maybe some of you will know what and from my version is. It is quite large ( ashtray is for good scale ). There's no marks.

My second question is about material: is it brass or bronze? It's more heavy than lots of brass things I have, and even a bit heavier than one similar size bronze item on my shelf. There is characteristic pink copper tone visible in some places, and the material is pretty porous. But with first look it seems to be brass rather. I don't know.


And the third question: someone probably tried to clean it with wax or paste with wax unfortunately in a pretty wrong way, and all the pores of metal are now clogged with it. I used paste from salt, lemon, vinegar and soda, i even used the needle to gently clean it, I managed to remove the lot of it, but it seems to be unremovable in these tiny holes. Do you have any way to move it?

 

Wonder if it is not an actual, very large, leaf that has been coated in brass or bronze, like bronzed baby shoes. The color inclines me toward brass.

 

Thanks! I will follow this trail )

 

Hi,
Put in a warm oven for several hours and most of the wax will melt and drip out. Then wash in hot water and a fine toothbrush scrub it and most of the wax will come off.
greg

 

Morning, Greg! Great minds...

 

Very, very much thank you!!!

 

Either a leaf or turtle back????

 

Not the right arrangement of sections for the scutes of a turtle shell, trust me on this one.

 

I don't think so, but I fond of your way of thinking, like with a serpent with swallowed elephant in Little Prince -)

 

It's from both sides. And it may be also some trail, the shape looks similar. Thanks)

 

Wax is usually soluble in mineral spirits. You might try some on a swab and see if that works.