Featured Antique Bronze African Ashanti Bowl

Bought a bronze bowl that probably dates early 20th century. Has a nice patina and some green inside the bowl. Do I leave or clean the green?

 

Clean it.

 

Leave it 'zactly as-is, imho. Whatever would remove the verdigris would also alter the surface, degrading the beauty...not to mention value.

Perfectly lovely bit of bronze, kraft blue...Thanks!

 

Thank you Any and Wlwhittier.

 

The problem with verdigris is that it eats away at the metal. It isn't patina, it is like rust. Removing it will have no influence on any patina.

When you take the verdigris off it will probably leave dark spots, but that doesn't matter in a piece like this.

 

Thanks Any. Will work on it.

 

Vinegar on the verdigris. Leave the rest alone.

 

You can also try ketchup, that is easier to keep on one spot. Wash it with gentle handsoap afterwards to get rid of the acid ketchup (or vinegar).

 

This looks somewhat better

 

I'm not keen on ketchup or even brown sauce. The food colourants can linger.

 

I think your bowl is probably from India, made by a Dhokra artisan in Orissa. Compare with this one on etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/918828385/antique-handmade-indian-dhokra-art

And others if you do a search for Dhokra rice measure bowl.

 

2many. I did google lens search. I did see the India on Etsy, also saw others stating Africa.

 

I would be best to find information independent of selling sites. Sites like Etsy and eboo don't police their listings so a seller can call an item anything they want

 

I agree that ebay and etsy are not the most reliable sources. However, I am familiar with other Dhokra lost wax casting and have a similar bowl myself. It is proving surprisingly difficult to find a more authoritative source that includes illustrations. The more decorative figures are easy to find. These more utilitarian measuring bowls are discussed, but not pictured.

..."the original Dhokra repertoire, which is simple and stark in keeping with the makers’ life style and philosophy. This repertoire includes lid-less measuring bowls called Kunke or Pa’ila. In Jabardah, the Jadu Patuas make them for their own use as well as for their Santhal clientele. Elsewhere the craftsmens make them for themselves and souvenir buyers."
https://rajeshkochhar.com/dhokra-lost-wax-metal-casting-craft-in-eastern-india/

This version of Rajesh Kochar's article includes a small picture of the bowls, which were made in graduated sizes which could be stacked:
http://www.chitrolekha.com/V1/n2/02_Dhokra_Bankura_Rajesh_kochhar.pdf

The Dhokra metalwork is made using lost wax casting, a method also used by West African artisans. So there are some similarities in appearance.

 

I agree. I already thought there was something 'off' about an Ashanti/Akan atribution, but couldn't put my finger on it.
To think that my parents had one of these dhokra bowls as well.