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Restoring vintage tortoiseshell antique

June 16, 2015

Q. Hi,
I am looking for some advice on the restoration of a vintage box.
It is intended to be a gift to my granddaughter as a tooth fairy box.
The article is solid silver with a tortoiseshell lid which is also inlaid with silver.
It is at least 200 years old and probably much older.
The shell is dull viewed from above, but quite vibrant from beneath the lid.
I suspect that polishing the silver inlay in the lid over the centuries has contributed to the dulling.
What can be done to preserve this artifact?
Please advise.
Regards,
Bill

william doherty
regular contributor - Newcastle, NSW Australia

June 17, 2015

A. Try this link:
www.cool.conservation-us.org/misc/people/nations/australia.txt
There are many excellent object conservators in Australia. Hope it helps and good luck!

Goran Budija
- zagreb,Croatia

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