I have also never seen figural hilt here before. I think it could be some "untraditional" modification. How old could it be ? Presently they do not produce so small figures with such details, like on this figure, so I hope - maybe 19th century ? I still did not clean it. Usually I used to put the item together with aliminium plates into the water solution of sodium carbonate corrosion to be removed during electrolytical reaction (the brass/copper keeps dark "patina" at the same time), but I have some doubts if it is still possible to determine the age of the items by chromatographical analysis of patina - after such treatment.
Regards,
Martin
|