Never look in a full-length mirror.
And only use a mirror in soft light.

I took a lot of Asian art history classes in college, and there was one passionate professor who spent an entire class arguing the merits of cleaning vs. leaving a metal object in the state it was found, especially ancient bronzes.

Apparently, it's an age-old debate. There are those who believe the object should be restored to the artist's original 'vision' for the piece--to restore it to the state it was originally.

Then there are those who argue the artist knew patina would age the piece, and created it to become even more beautiful and worn with age. To clean up an object and restore it to its original state was to remove its history.

I think she said throughout history, one approach or the other would gain ascendancy.

When I lived in Michigan lo-these-many-years-ago, a friend took me for my first visit to the Detroit Institute of Art. There was a small bronze statue of a burro, almost hidden in the basement. My friend said when she was a kid, it used to be in the main entrance. Over the years, thousands of children would see the burro as soon as they entered, and rush to pat its back and ears and nose.

After decades of this touching, not only did the patina disappear, but the actual details in the burro's fur wore away. Where children had petted it was worn smooth and golden, in contrast to the dark patina and carved/molded details. To preserve it, it was moved to the basement where fewer children would see it.

She said she understood, but she felt an important period of her childhood was put in the basement, too. :^) And that petting the burro was part of a child's museum experience, and probably encouraged and enriched their experience with art.

I remember standing there looking at it, and I think I touched its ears and nose and back, too. I remember wishing I'd seen it as a child. In a way, I think this memory is one I've incorporated into my own artwork, making things that people are allowed to touch.

I think you know what you'd LIKE to do, and you are also concerned about doing "the right thing". I think the artifact is in your possession, and you should do whatever feels right for YOU. If it would bring you joy to see the original state or simply to clean it up so you can see ANYTHING, do it. If you feel it should stay in its current state, do nothing. As Danny said, you could start the cleaning process and stop when it's 'good enough' for you.

hth, and welcome back! We've missed you.
Luann