I bought this "Middle Eastern Tea Set" from a seller who said he had acquired the piece from an estate sale. The piece is quite exquisite and consists of 15 seperate pieces: six metal cups that hold six ceramic cups (there are no chips on the ceramic cups), a metal tea kettle or vessel, a metal sugar bowl(?), and a metal tray. Islamic texts, vine and animal patterns, and knot work is found on each piece of the set.
There are what appears to be three seperate metals used in the set that have been lain one on top of another then hammered together and engraved (chasing and repousse technique?). There are marks on the metal that would indicate that this is not a manufactured piece, but a piece that has been produced by an artisan.
The set is slightly tarnished and there is some oxidation(?) inside of the metal tea kettle or vessel and on the undersides of the six metal cups. I would like to polish and restore this item, but without knowing what metals were used I am hesitant to use a harsh metal cleaner that may compromise the value or integrity of the set.
Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from some of you soon.
