Cleaning the tarnish on silver iroe

[Charlie C]

Dear Forum,

 

I know that this is a rather controversial topic, but I wonder what your opinions are on the cleaning of the silver/shibuichi on antique tosogu, which often produces a quite unpleasant uneven dark grey/black tone tarnish (likely silver sulfide?). I am aware that it could be dangerous to make any move on them since these are often a very thin silver/shibuichi layer.

 

I wonder how you determine if something is cleanable, and how you clean it if so. I found some discussion online using acidified thiourea or 5% hydrogen peroxide to remove the tarnish chemically, but I am not sure if they can be applied to tosogu.

 

I would appreciate any suggestions.

C. C.

[Matsunoki]

10 minutes ago, Charlie C said:

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Charlie….simple….don’t clean it. It is so easy to ruin the appearance of just about anything that involves silver or any of the alloys (shibuichi, shakudo etc).

Subtle age patina is an important factor that should not be disturbed. 
Cleaning is also likely to have drastic effects on the financial value (as well as the aesthetic value)

[Franco]

Brian Tschernega - professional cleaning / restoration (425) 771-6339 .

[Charlie C]

7 minutes ago, Matsunoki said:

Charlie….simple….don’t clean it. It is so easy to ruin the appearance of just about anything that involves silver or any of the alloys (shibuichi, shakudo etc).

Subtle age patina is an important factor that should not be disturbed. 
Cleaning is also likely to have drastic effects on the financial value (as well as the aesthetic value)

Thanks Colin - I know this is the most rational option. I asked this because of this post 

, and the removal of silver sulfide on item 315 clearly has a pronounced effect. Of course Ford knows his job, I just wonder if other people also had similar experiences.

[Curran]

12 minutes ago, Matsunoki said:

Charlie….simple….don’t clean it. It is so easy to ruin the appearance of just about anything that involves silver or any of the alloys (shibuichi, shakudo etc).

Subtle age patina is an important factor that should not be disturbed. 
Cleaning is also likely to have drastic effects on the financial value (as well as the aesthetic value)

 

Ditto.

When it comes to silver, I absolutely agree with Colin.

Translated through Gordon Robinson, a shinsa judge showed us a koshirae where he had cleaned the silver when he was much younger- not knowing better.

With shame face, he pretty much said "don't do it".

 

Ford was Ford. Unless it is with someone at that level, don't touch it.

Even then, think about it for a long time before doing.

It is hard to go back.

 

 

 

[Charlie C]

3 minutes ago, Franco said:

Brian Tschernega - professional cleaning / restoration (425) 771-6339 .

Thanks Franco, is Brian also on this forum? I am the kind of person who would rather not call people I have never met to consult...

[Charlie C]

2 minutes ago, Curran said:

 

Ditto.

When it comes to silver, I absolutely agree with Colin.

Translated through Gordon Robinson, a shinsa judge showed us a koshirae where he had cleaned the silver when he was much younger- not knowing better.

With shame face, he pretty much said "don't do it".

 

Ford was Ford. Unless it is with someone at that level, don't touch it.

Even then, think about it for a long time before doing.

It is hard to go back.

 

 

 

Alright, I am convinced. I'd better buy a sponge to absorb future sulfur instead.

[Matsunoki]

Ford was a magician. His knowledge on restoration, re-patination etc was unequalled. He restored many pieces for me that I would never have entrusted to anyone else nor would I have dreamed of tackling them myself. 
It isn’t just the “cleaning” you need to undertake, it’s the putting it right when it goes wrong……and it will go wrong. Ford had all of that knowledge. I am aware of just one other person whose workshop is fully capable.

[Franco]

1 hour ago, Charlie C said:

is Brian also on this forum?

 

Not that I know of.

 

1 hour ago, Charlie C said:

I am the kind of person who would rather not call people I have never met to consult...

 

 

Brian attends most if not all the sword shows here in the U.S. , if you would prefer to meet with him in person.