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I come to you again with a question about age. I had been hunting for a pair of cloisonné lamps for ages and came across these finally. They are a true opposing pair and quite large, about 15" or 36cm for just the vase height.
I am guessing from the cluster sockets with the ceramic skirt insulator that these are circa...1930's? But I was hoping that someone might be able to help identify the age of the vases and if they are in line with that date. Any information would be appreciated and if anyone has any suggestions on cleaning them without damaging them that would be great. Thank you again!

The style of the wirework motifs, diaper, and the enamels indicate to me that these pieces were made somewhere during the 1960s-70s.

They're a very pretty pair, don't you think?

Thank you for replying Beadiste, I was hoping you would see my plea. I was scanning your site to see if I could find any hints regarding that diaper pattern. Would it be called vine?
They are lovely, I was so pleased to find them! They are off being rewired as we speak and then I need to choose shades. I do wonder if you have any suggestions on how to clean them without damage. Do people use hydrogen peroxide like they do on ceramics? Or is anything fine as they don't damage easily?

Most of these pieces were given a light gold electroplating, which after a couple of decades seems to disappear and the copper wires oxidize to dark brown.
Polishing will likely remove any remaining electroplating, and also, depending upon what is used, leave white residue in the surface pits in the enamel. So liquid polishes are out, and even NevrDull wadding has to be used carefully and followed with a horsehair brush and a micro-polish cloth to remove the residue.
I've seen pieces that apparently were polished using a mechanical buff, stripping all patina down to the bright copper. Perhaps this was necessary because of verdigris, but it gives the pieces a rather garish look, I think.
So unless there's verdigris that must be removed, I tend not to polish pieces. The naptha in NevrDull seems to work well to remove grease and smoke stains (yeah, it's not the safest chemical, but unlike soap and water it evaporates quickly). Haven't tried acetone, but am guessing it would have a similar effect to remove grease, tar, or sticky tape residue.
A micro-polish cloth such as Sunshine Cloth helps to remove wax or other polish residue.

Perfect. It's mostly residue from day to day life like hands, cooking deposits in the air, etc. A light cleaning will be all that is needed. Thank you so much!

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