Vintage Clan Badge Advice Needed

**creagdhubh** · 25th May 12, 08:30 AM

Greetings,

I recently purchased two lovely vintage, Clan Macpherson/Chattan badges from Timothy at House of Labhran. They are both made of silver, in good condition, and date from the 1940's-50's. My question is, should I clean these badges up? Polish them perhaps? I'm a huge fan of Antiques Roadshow on PBS and the BBC, and many of the experts on there advise against any sort of polishing or "cleaning" up of certain items, however, these are simple clan badges of a bygone era, would it be okay to restore them? If I decide to do so, what would be the best method?

As you can see from the two photos, the badges have considerable darker areas, which definitely add a vintage look to them. I am unsure if the so-called, 'darker' areas are original to the design of the badges, or if it is simply dirt and grime that has accumulated for the past 60+ years. It may prove advantagous to leave them as they are, but I am keen on learning what suggestions the 'rabble' have.

It is also very interesting to note (According to Timothy) that these badges originated from traditional Clan Macpherson lands in Inverness-shire, which makes them all the more special and meaningful to me. Who knows how many Macpherson (Chattan) clansmen from the past wore these badges. I don't know how Timothy finds these wonderful items, but I am sure glad he does!

Thanks mates,

**Lyle1** · 25th May 12, 08:41 AM

Whether you polish them or not would be a matter of taste. best left to you, since you will wear them. However, if they were mine, I would CLEAN (not polish) them a bit, before I did anything. Soap and water with a soft brush (old toothbrush or baby toothbrush) works well. You could also try a gentle jewelry cleaner. Once you get the dirt and grim off, you can reassess the pieces. If the darker areas seem to have been intentionally applied, hard polishing would not be a good idea. Once clean, a gentle rub with a soft cloth and some silver cleaner should not harm them. You could also use a dry jeweler's cloth. The alternative would be to go for a "butler's polish" which is achieved by polishing with a plain rag without polish.

**sydnie7** · 25th May 12, 08:45 AM

My recollection of Antiques Roadshow says that patina is desirable on wood and antiquities but "vintage" silver such as these should be polished. A jeweler should be able to identify areas which were originally treated to be darker vs grime build-up.

Lovely badges, and I'll have to figure a way to link this to LitTrog's thread LOL

**creagdhubh** · 25th May 12, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Lyle1

Whether you polish them or not would be a matter of taste. best left to you, since you will wear them. However, if they were mine, I would CLEAN (not polish) them a bit, before I did anything. Soap and water with a soft brush (old toothbrush or baby toothbrush) works well. You could also try a gentle jewelry cleaner. Once you get the dirt and grim off, you can reassess the pieces. If the darker areas seem to have been intentionally applied, hard polishing would not be a good idea. Once clean, a gentle rub with a soft cloth and some silver cleaner should not harm them. You could also use a dry jeweler's cloth. The alternative would be to go for a "butler's polish" which is achieved by polishing with a plain rag without polish.

Thanks for the advice, Lyle!

**creagdhubh** · 25th May 12, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by sydnie7

Lovely badges, and I'll have to figure a way to link this to LitTrog's thread LOL

Ha-ha! I just took a wee look at LitTrog's thread...I get it!

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 25th May 12, 10:02 AM

I don't see how polishing them would harm them at all, but if it were me I'd polish them by giving them a hand buffing with a jeweler's cloth. This would polish up all the raised parts of the badge, but leave the inset parts darker. I think that would look really nice and preserve that aged look.

On the other hand, you could use a commercial cleaning solution which would get into all the nooks and crannies and polish up the entire badge to look white sparkly new, and it would also look stunning.

For me, it would simply be a matter of preference. My preference would be the former. Good finds, by the way!

**creagdhubh** · 25th May 12, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

I don't see how polishing them would harm them at all, but if it were me I'd polish them by giving them a hand buffing with a jeweler's cloth. This would polish up all the raised parts of the badge, but leave the inset parts darker. I think that would look really nice and preserve that aged look.

On the other hand, you could use a commercial cleaning solution which would get into all the nooks and crannies and polish up the entire badge to look white sparkly new, and it would also look stunning.

For me, it would simply be a matter of preference. My preference would be the former. Good finds, by the way!

Thanks Matt! Yes, I am leaning more towards the former as well!

Cheers,

**Tobus** · 25th May 12, 10:42 AM

Since you have two, why not clean/polish one and leave the other with its patina? Best of both worlds.

**davidlpope** · 25th May 12, 10:44 AM

These are beautiful old silver badges. I don't think that I'd do anything to them.

Just think of them as "salty cammies".....Why would you want them to look new?

S/F

**creagdhubh** · 25th May 12, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

These are beautiful old silver badges. I don't think that I'd do anything to them.

Just think of them as "salty cammies".....Why would you want them to look new?

S/F

Thanks David. I think this is THE best advice I've heard thus far!

S/F