Cup

Condition: Tarnished; dark grey patches – it is tarnished so heavily in some places that the electroplated silver layer is missing; corrosion; dark & green accretions; lacquered – a layer of coating on the surface (very discoloured); soiling in crevices; dents, scratches & abrasions; height 8.5cm,width 17.3cm, diameter 15.2cm

Treatment: The surface was first swabbed with White Spirit on cotton wool. A varnish removal poultice was then used to remove the discoloured lacquer layer (contact time 30 seconds; removed with White Spirit on cotton wool). Cleaning was partially undertaken under a microscope. A thin layer of wax was applied on the clean surface as a protective layer.