Featured Three hand carved stations of the cross - how old, where, and how do I clean them??

Discussion in 'Art' started by Bookahtoo, Jun 14, 2020.

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  1. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Ok, I admit it, it was the opening of the local flea market today and I was there at 7 AM with my darn mask on. I was looking for paper! I need postcards, photographs, and other ephemera - for myself and for my store.
    Anyway, very little paper to be had.

    I got these 3 wood stations of the cross. I thought they were nicely carved. I believe the color is stain. I'm guessing they were carved in the 60s, maybe in Italy? Can anyone help with any information about the carvings, and/or suggestions for cleaning? Oh yeah, it looks like there were crosses on the top that all got snapped off.
    I didn't even know there were 14 stations - I thought there were 7, so I can use some help.

    smallDSCN2493.JPG

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    smallDSCN2496.JPG

    smallDSCN2498.JPG

    smallDSCN2499.JPG

    smallDSCN2501.JPG

    smallDSCN2500.JPG

    smallDSCN2502.JPG
     
    Bookahtoo, Jun 14, 2020
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  2. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    They measure 7 1/2" by 9 1/4".
     
    Bookahtoo, Jun 14, 2020
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  3. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    They are beautiful, Book. Look kind of 1920s? but are probably later.
    I can see that.:pompous:
     
    Any Jewelry, Jun 14, 2020
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  4. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    WOW!! ALL VERY NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I happen to LOVE the coloring on them too for the most part!!!
     
    Aquitaine, Jun 14, 2020
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  5. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

    Id have guessed 60s as well,they are lovely .
     
    johnnycb09, Jun 14, 2020
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  6. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    Very nice.
    Can you show a picture of the hanger on the back - may or may not help.

    As for cleaning.
    Howard's Restor-A-Finish
    Walnut for the dark, Maple - Pine for the lighter.
    Then use their feed and wax.
     
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2020
    clutteredcloset49, Jun 14, 2020
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  7. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Thanks Any, Aqui, and Johnny.

    Cluttered - what would I use to get the dirt off with? I thought Howards was used after you cleaned the wood?
     
    Bookahtoo, Jun 14, 2020
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  8. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    I'm not seeing dirt. Is it just dust?
    A damp rag would probably work.

    Me, I do everything they tell you not to do. I'd probably use soap and water, which is a No No.
    I've been washing everything long before the covid, because I have no idea where it has been. Here a lot of stuff is stored in barns with the rats.
     
    clutteredcloset49, Jun 14, 2020
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  9. clutteredcloset49

    clutteredcloset49 Well-Known Member

    clutteredcloset49, Jun 14, 2020
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  10. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    It's definitely ground in dirt. You can see that the third one looks different, less colorful - it was probably stored on top of the stack in a filthy basement.
    It looks to be basement dirt rather than attic dirt if you know what I mean.
     
    Bookahtoo, Jun 14, 2020
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  11. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    BTW - doesn't Jesus have a lovely nose in these carvings?
     
    Bookahtoo, Jun 14, 2020
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  12. Bev aka thelmasstuff

    Bev aka thelmasstuff Colored pencil artist extraordinaire ;)

    I'm getting a 1930s vibe. Some church that went through a remodeling. When I was growing up in NH they remodeled our church. It had the most lovely altar - it all looked like a wedding cake, lots of fancy trim. They completely modernized it and tossed out the old one. I remember going by with my parents while it was piled up on the side of the church waiting to be hauled away. Now I'm wishing my Dad would have stopped and picked up some pieces. Once it's been de-sanctified, it's just ordinary stuff.
     
    Bev aka thelmasstuff, Jun 14, 2020
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  13. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    That's so sad Bev. Does the hair and clothing on the 2nd person on the first carving strike you as odd?

    Cluttered - there are no hangers on the backs. There are eye bolts on the tops.
     
    Bookahtoo, Jun 14, 2020
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  14. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    The style of the lettering and sculpture look more Deco to me. For cleaning, I would suggest starting with dry methods - a brush/vacuum first, then perhaps one of the vulcanized rubber soot sponges, before getting into any liquids.
     
    2manybooks, Jun 14, 2020
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  15. aaroncab

    aaroncab in veritate victoria

    Very nice.
     
    aaroncab, Jun 14, 2020
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  16. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    I really don't think you should put any kind of finish on these; just clean off the excess dirt and leave them be. They don't look like they ever had any kind of finish from new.
     
    blooey, Jun 14, 2020
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  17. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Bookahtoo, Jun 15, 2020
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  18. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    I wish the hair on the one in the link wasn't carved like that. It's making me laugh, which isn't very nice but I cant help it.


    s-l400.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2020
    Bookahtoo, Jun 15, 2020
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  19. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    @toomanybooks - I tried the rubber soot sponge. It just crumbled into little pieces.
    It only touched the surface anyway - the cuts are pretty deep on these.
    Any other suggestions? They really are grimy.
    Also, perhaps the color is not to be restored on the last one?
     
    Bookahtoo, Jun 16, 2020
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  20. aaroncab

    aaroncab in veritate victoria

    Very soft bristled dry brush...

    Otherwise perhaps the qtip with saliva method?

    Agree with not using anything harsh.
     
    aaroncab, Jun 16, 2020
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