Axe for Restoration.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

(just one 'eek' wasn't enough)
OMG!!!! DEFINATELY NOT!!!

LOL, I hope you were joking there Ibrahiim?

Your axe isn't a type I'm familiar with but if you are right in your identification, then as with all bronze age antiquities the patina (oxidisation) is of VITAL importance.

The only questions are:

Is the patina stable or is it bronze-rot (AKA bronze disease)?
Does the patina need to be stablilised for display?

If you use any chemical process to strip the axe then it would lose all of its history, most of its value and be unrecognisable from it's original form because the stripping would also be removing the original surface of the metal.

You should speak to someone who is familiar with archeological finds of this type from the same area and ask advice.

My advice would be to display the axe WITH as much of the patina as can be saved.
I would clean it with a small stiff (non metal) brush (either nylon or natural bristles) VERY CAREFULLY.
The display it on a custom stand.
Watch it carefully over time to see if the patina changes at all. If you believe the patina is unstable due to disease then have a look at this article:
Bronze disease article.

Always remember that the aim is to preserve the patina and only to remove the dirt and loose flakes/dust.

You could always have one of your craftsmen reproduce this piece so that you can display a replica with it?

Lovely item BTW

Best
Gene

Salaams Gene, Great info there on bronze(rust) disease worthy of inclusion into any restorers almanac. I have had the item for decades and I am in no rush to launch the axe into invasive surgery. I agree absolutely about just washing the axe free of dirt and loose flakes. I think it will last a few hundred years as it is. Perhaps a preservation wax could work. Regards Ibrahiim