There are many beautiful antiques which have been subjected to rough usage or through some accident have had the oxidation rubbed off in parts. To clean such an antique so as to secure uniformity of appearance would be a mistake. It is better to "restore" the finish and imitate that which age has imparted. The solution required is 60 gr. nitrate of silver and 2½ oz. water, mixed with a solution of 60 gr. nitrate of copper and 2½ oz. water. After the solution has been applied to the parts the object should be heated in a gas-oven until it is sufficiently dark coloured.
Some time ago an expert in Indian antiques, bronzes, and metal-work published in The Times of India an account of how Oriental bronze and brass which had been soiled and scratched by time and climatic conditions might be restored. The writer went on to describe how the great secret of restoring the dull half-green and half-brown shades had been revealed to him. The remedy he propounded was simple in the extreme. It was that the statue should be washed in beer, which should not be rubbed off but allowed to dry on.
Using the Burnisher.
The amateur restorer may frequently with advantage acquire a knowledge of the burnisher, and thereby add much to the beauty of the metal. Those who have watched an old coppersmith planishing copper-work, and have noticed the very primitive materials used, will have learnt to realize the value of "elbow grease." Crocus powder with oil and soft rags works wonders, and will often bring up the original finish just as the coppersmith converts the rough dull polish of the metal sheets he has fashioned into domestic copper ware and shining pots and pans.
Brass Rubbings.
Rubbings of church and memorial brasses referred to in [Chapter VII] may be taken with heel-ball, which is a compound of beeswax, and plain white paper. When the brass has been evenly rubbed all over the picture is complete and ready for mounting. It should then be cut out and pasted on a prepared surface of fine canvas or calico, thus giving the rubbing an appearance like tapestry. It can be touched up in colours, if there is any heraldic enamelled work on the original. It can then be sized and stretched on a frame ready for hanging on a wall.
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