I recently acquired this Tilley TL136 and it came with the patina (on the pump and gallery) seen in the photo. Having looked at the reference library for this lamp I see some of them brightly polished all over, one with the comment just like factory new (or words to that effect). They look nice all polished up but I have a feeling the bronze finish really was the way they came from the factory. So should I polish or not?
Honestly, I'd say whichever that suits your current desires would be it. I'd leave the patina as it is if that's mine. Unless of course, if it has surface defects or other unsightly blemishes.
No surface blemishes actually quite pristine. My preference really is to have it nearest to the original condition i.e. as it came from the factory. So the question should be was the bronze originally applied. I would imagine that the gallery would discolour quite quickly if highly polished brass and would be unsightly until equally tarnished all over.
I would leave gallery as is. I would use car polish for the tank, handle and pump. That way you clean and protect, but display the patina that your lovely lamp has. Cheers Tony
I would say as someone who polishes most of their lamps, that it depends on whether you will be using it. For me If I'm going to use the lamp, then I will leave it, as is in found condition, but if it's going to be a shelfqueen (for display) only then will I polish the lamp. That's what I do, I hope that helps.
If you intend to use it, the gallery will darken down almost immediately so there's no point in cleaning it up. The pump is up to you. If you polish it, you'll need to lacquer it or it'll only darken again over time. Personally I think it looks lovely the way it is.
