I have an old bottle encased in metal scrollwork that is probably lead.The bottom shows a melted closing. Is there any product or formula that will brighten it? I have it for many years and it was not so dark at first.

I hope it isn't lead, very dangerous material to be handling. This description is from Wikipedia:

Lead poisoning (also known as plumbism, colica pictonium, saturnism, Devon colic, or painter's colic) is a medical condition caused by increased levels of the heavy metal lead in the body. Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and tissues including the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems. It interferes with the development of the nervous system and is therefore particularly toxic to children, causing potentially permanent learning and behavior disorders. Symptoms include abdominal pain, headache, anemia, irritability, and in severe cases seizures, coma, and death.

Routes of exposure to lead include contaminated air, water, soil, food, and consumer products. Occupational exposure is a common cause of lead poisoning in adults. One of the largest threats to children is lead paint that exists in many homes, especially older ones; thus children in older housing with chipping paint are at greater risk. Prevention of lead exposure can range from individual efforts (e.g. removing lead-containing items such as piping or blinds from the home) to nationwide policies (e.g. laws that ban lead in products or reduce allowable levels in water or soil).

Elevated lead in the body can be detected by the presence of changes in blood cells visible with a microscope and dense lines in the bones of children seen on X-ray. However, the main tool for diagnosis is measurement of the blood lead level; different treatments are used depending on this level. The major treatments are removal of the source of lead and chelation therapy (administration of agents that bind lead so it can be excreted).

Humans have been mining and using this heavy metal for thousands of years, poisoning themselves in the process. Although lead poisoning is one of the oldest known work and environmental hazards, the modern understanding of the small amount of lead necessary to cause harm did not come about until the latter half of the 20th century. No safe threshold for lead exposure has been discovered—that is, there is no known amount of lead that is too small to cause the body harm.

You have probably been handling the bottle quite a bit, but you should make sure it is lead before handling it further. It could be brass. There were many base metals available for that type of work in Victorian era (I am assuming it is from that time). If it is brass, then there are several brass polish solutions on the market to brighten the scroll work.

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Thanks for your speedy reply. I am almost certain it is lead because of the soldering on the bottom. I have had it for many years sitting on a shelf and there it belongs. But it is darker than it was and the scrollwork doesn't show up as nicely.I will try a brass polish as you suggest.

It is a lovely piece, but you should not be handling it because of lead poisoning. As a stained glass artisan using lead for my work, I have to be tested every year. So I suggest you wear gloves when you handle that bottle. But even then, you are already contaminated and you did read the information I provided on lead poisoning.

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