Dear Helen,

I've got a couple of bronze lamps with stained glass shades that look kind of tired. The metal is dusty and the grooves where there is detail work are filled with dirt. Can I clean these myself?

Morris Guy, Farmington, CT

Dear Morris,

Most of the bases that support stained glass shades were produced during the Arts and Crafts period and many were made with patinated finishes. This means that the bronze, copper, or other alloys used to make these cast bronze lamps were treated to make them look like they had a patina of great age. Trying to clean these finishes requires delicate handling and patience. Using scouring powder or abrasive chemicals could damage the surfaces and reduce their value.

I'd suggest nothing stronger than mild sudsy warm water, never immersing your piece completely because you don't want to damage the wiring. Start with a small area toward the back of the piece and moisten the dirty area for a short time before beginning to clean the grooves and creases of the detail work. Try a small soft brush if the dirt looks stubborn. I would avoid ammonia because this might over-clean your lamp base. Under no circumstances would I use commercial metal polishes. If the results are satisfactory on a small area, go ahead and do the rest, working carefully and within limited areas of the base. If you notice that your piece looks too clean or that it has lost its patina, stop work and consult an expert.