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Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi
Salaams,
This is a second millenium Bronze age Baluch Axe measuring 5 and a half inches long and about 4 inches wide at the blade; possibly from Mekran Baluchistan. As seen it is hugely corroded in the surface. Bronze age weapons contain a high content of copper and some say the age should have been called the Copper Age.
How should the project be planned out. I am tempted to drop the item into a fairly strong acid ( car battery acid with 2:1 water added and 3 to 5 minute "observed" exposures then neuralised with vinegar and work down the scale to lighter techniques rather than beginning with say coke cola and working up to stronger applications. I would probably finish off with fairly liberal preservation wax.
Any ideas welcome.
Ibrahiim Al Balooshi.
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(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