To clean it up or not to clean it up.

[4501joyce]

Hi, I have this 8" tall brass school bell that came from my husband's grandfather's stuff, so quite old. Badly tarnished, wood handle finish is worn off, clapper is rusty. Should it be cleaned up before photographing and selling, or best to leave it alone? Wouldn't want to destroy that all-important patina. (Is rust considered "patina"?!)

[nobody*s_perfect]

Somebody might consider it to be patina. IMHO you should do nothing more than wipe it off with a dry towel to remove cobwebs and loose bits.  After all, if it turns out that nobody wants the item as-is, then you can clean it up in a serious way.  But why put in the effort (and potentially ruin somebody's idea of a valuable patina) before trying the easier option?

[oneblindcat]

Leave it alone, sell as-is.

I know that when I buy something tarnished or dirty, I'd rather do it myself. In the case of something like your antique bell, I would prefer to display it in aged condition, cleaning it might actually lower it's value.

I don't sell here, by the way.

[conservitvs]

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@4501joyce wrote:

Hi, I have this 8" tall brass school bell that came from my husband's grandfather's stuff, so quite old. Badly tarnished, wood handle finish is worn off, clapper is rusty. Should it be cleaned up before photographing and selling, or best to leave it alone? Wouldn't want to destroy that all-important patina. (Is rust considered "patina"?!)

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I am a former professional museum conservator.

Leave it be.

If you do not have the expertise/knowledge to properly clean/conserve the item, leave it be.

[oneblindcat]

The mental image of Judge Dredd moonlighting as a museum curator, cleaning delicate items...

Priceless!

[loveyourimagination49]

Let it be.

[conservitvs]

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@oneblindcat wrote:

The mental image of Judge Dredd moonlighting as a museum curator, cleaning delicate items...

Priceless!

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No judgements from you, citizen. 🙂

[inhawaii]

Spend time cleaning it up = make more money.

Sell it as-is = make less money.

What is your time worth vs. how much more you think you will get?

Good luck and stay safe.

[oneblindcat]

It's the judgements for me that are worrisome.

Funny, I always figured Judge Dredd as the moonlight-in-an-animal-shelter kind of guy.

Y'know, kittens and such...

[luckythewinner · Accepted solution]

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@inhawaii wrote:

Spend time cleaning it up = make more money.

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Have you ever dealt in antiques? 

Many times ... Spend time cleaning it up = ruin the value of the item. 

https://antiques.lovetoknow.com/about-antiques/how-restoration-affects-value-antiques

[1tuna]

I have been buying antiques for many years and attended many major shows

One thing I can tell you is that the majority of antiques that are silver or brass are sold in the polished form.

sellers that deal in high end brass and silver objects above $5000  almost always have them polished.

i never clean my metal but when you see large displays at major shows then its almost always polished

[tev4all]

Mahalo friend, 

I 'd have to disagree. 

Without seeing at least a  good quality picture of the bell in present condition. the best advice is best left unsaid.  

[conservitvs]

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@oneblindcat wrote:

It's the judgements for me that are worrisome.

Funny, I always figured Judge Dredd as the moonlight-in-an-animal-shelter kind of guy.

Y'know, kittens and such...

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Funny, I did volunteer at the local cat shelter for a time. Seems like a lifetime ago now. 

[inhawaii]

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@luckythewinner wrote:

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@inhawaii wrote:

Spend time cleaning it up = make more money.

---

Have you ever dealt in antiques? 

Many times ... Spend time cleaning it up = ruin the value of the item. 

https://antiques.lovetoknow.com/about-antiques/how-restoration-affects-value-antiques

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You're right. I keep forgetting about all those episodes of "American Pickers" where Frank and Mike LIKE  it the "petina". 

[inhawaii]

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@tev4all wrote:

Mahalo friend, 

I 'd have to disagree. 

Without seeing at least a  good quality picture of the bell in present condition. the best advice is best left unsaid.  

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I agree with your disagree. I keep forgetting we're talking about an antique and not a common everyday item.