Polishing/ cleaning question

I have a question about polishing a sculpture made of what looks to me like some brass alloy with applied patina. The seller suggested it's calamine brass. I would like to highlight some of the patinated parts of the figure, but not sure what materials/ appliances I need to use not to damage it.

 

In general, it is advised that one not polish metal art pieces with applied patina.

 

Good, I am seeing that my attempts to polish the metal in a small hidden place result in a black spot rather than a shiny appearance.
Is there any safe way to clean it though? It looks a bit dusty, as I bought it in a street market.

 

echoing @verybrad s excellent advice I wouldn't touch it with any polishes etc.
I suppose wiping it off with a slightly damp cloth would get the dust off and a moist q-tip could be useful in any small areas, but again depends on what kind of "patina" we are talking about - some are just "wiped on crap" (which might just wipe off)

 

The patina looks well attached, so I think I will follow your advice with a moist cloth and a q-tip. If any I notice any irregularities with that, I won't continue, of course.

 

Sounds good!


how's about a pic? We love pics!

 

After I clean it I'll post, I promise!!

 

Kinda be neat to see "Before" and "After"

 

Here you go. I cleaned it a bit, and it worked just fine. Religious statues are not really my cup of tea, but I somehow really liked the Rodin-ish form of this one. And I got it almost for free.
This is a French saint Marcelin Champagnat, it's newish, and I know that it is a multiple because I saw one seller from Barcelona selling a similar one online. This one is missing its marble base.
It is signed but I can't figure out the writing where it says the name of the author.
UPD: better pics

 

Looks like a date, 1999? in the last pic. But pics aren't good enough to decipher that or the writing from here.

 

I will try to take better ones today! Yes, that's 1999. I am still looking for the artist's name.

 

Just a reminder about posting more pics ... some people might be able to help.

 

What is the round hole thing in the center of the chest? Did it house something like a red glass heart maybe?
Leslie

 

Finally, tookbetter photos!
This side says Marcelino Champagnat canonizado 1999
This side is unclear, and I think it's the artist's signature. I put some flour into it.
I also thought that a "heart" made of glass or stone could fit well there, but this one that I found in Barcelona online also doesn't have one:
https://www.todocoleccion.net/antig...elino-champagnat-fundador-maristas~x110546244
Since I communicated with this seller, to ask him about the material, he added some details, saying that the signature says Santomans - I am not sure, the word looks longer to me (also, for the price I conclude this figurine is mass-produced, or near to that).

 

Yours appears to have a "tz" at the end instead of the letter "s." Santomantz? Santamantz? Might not be z at the very end.

 

I can't imagine what that indent would be for if it didn't house something. If it was a loose stone or glass item; it would be easily lost. The link to another certainly looks the same to me... with or without something in the indent.

Cheerio, Leslie