AMAZING MANTLE PIECE! First Look and First Clean! 140 Year Old Farm House Preservation

[@THEOLDBYRDFARMVLOG]

Channel and Farm Tip Jar: www.paypal.com/paypalme/rwrightphotography More of my life: instagram.com/adventureswithrobertw Old Byrd Farm eBay: www.ebay.com/usr/oldbyrdfarm My other channel: youtube.com/@AdventuresIntoHistory Merch: adventuresintohistory.myspreadshop.com/all Prints from the Old Byrd Farm: starlingmallard.smugmug.com/Walter-Mallard-Photography/TheByrdFarm/ Join The Official Fan Group: facebook.com/groups/561758371276581/?ref=share_group_link MAIL: Sidestep Adventures PO Box 206 Waverly Hall, Georgia 31831

[@colleenkidwell5820]

Looks like an Eastlake style mantle. Very nice.

[@larrynelson3329]

Pretty mantle. It's a soap stone Eastlake piece cir.1880s. I would try Murphy's oil soap. It's very gentle, but a good cleaner.

[@shellydehart8217]

Good choice.

[@terrig4750]

Exactly what I was thinking soapstone and Murphy's oil soap. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

[@fantail75]

Murphy’s is a great recommendation. It’s inert, and that’s what you want.

[@kerrygilchrist62]

I work for a granite a quartz countertop company….. the stone on the fireplace kinda looks like soapstone or black marble ….DO NOT USE ANYTHING ON IT WITH ACID IN IT !!!! Like vinegar….try a marble sealer and the marble polish

[@mainetreelineruguess97]

That looks like what the older folks here called soapstone. At first look, it looks almost like slate, but soapstone tended to be less liable to split off in layers, like shale. It's also what the old honing stones used to be made from. Beautiful piece, Robert! Glad you're keeping the high points original to the home. Great job!

[@SondraD7676]

I thought the same, Victorian fireplaces were soapstone, but faux painted. The close up he showed looked pretty finely detailed and all that I have seen are massively thick. I hope he can find out. Very curious.

[@DianaJewell-jf9ep]

Plus holds heat very well keeping warm .

[@shamrock4500]

Murphy's Oil soap works great on old wood.

[@Davidbarnes55]

did you not hear him say it's not wood

[@libertyandjustus8258]

It says on the bottle to cut it with water. For old pieces or dry pieces I just use it full strength.

[@susanbozard7906]

I was thinking the same thing about Murphy's Oil

[@maryr7800]

@@libertyandjustus8258 He said it isn't wood.

[@aquariusrizing]

Def. call a pro, Robert. I think you did well to remove the dust. It's a beautiful piece. I love the piano, too. Those photos are amazing!

[@mountainbound1315]

Robert, my advice for those gorgeous delicate painted tile inserts on the mantel is to hand it over to a professional restorer. That is one piece that is just too important to risk, plus you have a ton of papers and photos and more treasures to discover. Take care.

[@hanthouse]

totally agree

[@sweetie561]

Robert, others have suggested a professional restorer. My advice would be to check with a university’s art department to see if there students and teachers/professors that might assist in restoring it for free for the experience! Just a thought 😊

[@mountainbound1315]

@@sweetie561 That is a great 👍 idea.

[@judithorphey3296]

My best suggestion would be to speak to a conservator at a nearby museum or an art conservator at a nearby university. They will typically meet without and give you some advice.

[@kayeeiland4167]

Wise advice !

[@guy4462]

That's stone, wow. It's beautiful, even dirty.

[@gailrockford8914]

You are amazing. All the work you do there is something that most people wouldn’t consider! I love to watch all you videos and am so impressed with all you do knowing that there will be no compensation.

[@elizabethmanger8670]

The art work on the tiles may be depicting the seasons.

[@southernbiscuits1275]

I can't tell you how much I am enjoying watching your Old Byrd Farm videos. I would never have thought this would be anything I'd be interested in but to see so much dedication and respect given to restoring the past is amazing!

[@FrancisLewis-mf7xi]

Pur told towel when you clean old English the best to finish up

[@beverlyw56]

Thanks for turning up when you can. I miss seeing Blue and hearing those birds cackling.

[@delmaquezada6733]

Even all dirty it looks like a beautiful mantle.

[@sherrie545]

That mantel is a show piece for the house. It’s beautiful!

[@sej9231]

You said it right the first time

[@SondraD7676]

It is a beautiful piece. Even if not original, it is old and placed there with thought. Since you asked: You need a neutral PH natural stone cleaner and polish. The products vary with indoor/outdoor use, and there are many on the market and I think you should take a look at ratings and decide which you think is best. Can you identify the stone? - Granite, marble, quartzite? Like counter tops of late, it really needs regular treatment and you need to find out how often. I highly recommend, which I would imagine you have already done, consult an antiques expert before you try to clean the artwork. I had done some research on the mantle prior to your latest feature and cannot find anything close to it in books, catalogs, or referenced. I'd have to say that it is a special order and possibly even an import, especially since Georgia has a coastline and direct access. I do think it is from the Aesthetic Movement (1870-1900), which included Eastlake, so the design is in harmony with the front door. Cool old pictures!! No worries, your hair looks fine, you have great hair, even if its messy it looks good. 👍👍❣❣

[@CharlesBarnum-ch9wb]

Remove the mirror and have it resilvered. Makes a world of difference.😊 8:20 8:22

[@cindys.9688]

Great advice! I like your observation that a design feature on the mantle alignes with the front door. I liked reading your input - very professional sounding! And you're right. Robert looks just fine with his "messy hair". Super cute in fact. It's the hair of a working man!😊

[@SondraD7676]

@@cindys.9688 thank you. The Old Byrd Farm is full of mysteries and its fun to try and help out when I can.

[@franciscavanraalte7483]

@@CharlesBarnum-ch9wb bad idea, it decreases the value of the mantle piece.Keep everything original, just clean with the right products or just with soft cloth to leave no marks.

[@shellydehart8217]

I’d listen to Sondra she seems to always have the right answers. ♥️😊👍

[@williamthomson638]

It is a lovely fireplace surround. Haven't seen you in a while. Nice to see you again.

[@HarperFan01]

Contact a museum's restoration department and send them pictures of the fireplace and talk with them, they can tell you what to use on the stone and the artwork.

[@karenwright9123]

Since I think most of the comments agree that is soapstone...many mantles were made of it in the 1800's,it retains heat so kept the room warmer and it's nonporous{so it doesn't soak up things}. I would clean it again and then use Old English Lemon oil. It contains mineral oil so it's good for the stone and wood, and prevents mold and mildew. As far as the painted panels if you wish to risk it,remove the dust with a soft bristled paint brush,clean with a microfiber cloth dipped in warm water and dish soap, gently don't scrub {test a little area first}dry immediately with another microfiber cloth. If any paint comes off I'd leave it alone. Never use alcohol or mineral spirits. I looked up art restorationists in Ga. they're making around $20 to $22 an hour. Good to see you recovered from your fall. I've been watched Sidesteps I H. Stay safe,be well. from Ky.

[@jacquelinenoble6640]

Beautiful pieces of furniture, and what lovely old photographs. 😊🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@maroulio2067]

As one of the art panels is portable, I would get it to an art restorer at a museum for advice. I am a painter (artist) and have messed up a few old pieces by over-cleaning. I would use Murphy's Oil only on wood only, which I did on an 1850 era filthy ornate oak bookcase, It took many gentle cleanings with diluted Murphy's as it had dentil detailing, but it came out great. The bookcase was about 7 feet high. I too think your stone looks like soapstone.

[@rikspector]

Robert, That looks really nice, you can't beat the old furniture. Cheers, Rik Spector

[@jeffbouchez5134]

you had it right the first time

[@charlenereilly96]

So glad you are back on my feed. Love you channel.

[@sherrilee230]

Robert I had my own lapidary shop and jewelry shop made my own jewelry what we used on the stones then when we worked them out raw was either red rouge or zom zom and you put it on a buffing wheel and you hit it against the buffing wheel till it starts to melt some down and you go over back and forth over the stone and it makes it bring all the luster out. And after I was done I washed it off with Ivory soap a non detergent soap because detergent pulls the oils out and it's got to keep a luster to it so you use a non detergent and they recommended in my learning was Ivory flakes

[@sharonleeming869]

My grandmother taught me to use a paint brush to get in all the nooks and crannies.

[@alanatolstad4824]

I keep a paint brush next to my computer keyboard for dusting it! Works great!

[@kenhughes4715]

The old mantle is very cool and finding those pictures is a great find. Keep up the good work.

[@MsCripplex]

Suggestion that the historical society for an understanding of what the stone is where it’s from and how to correctly care for the wood and their decorative areas. How beautiful it is and it should repair and try to repair the paintings correct for the era. You are so blessed to be able to do this and other restoration I am a quadriplegic and cannot do this any more even though I love it. Thank you for sharing your work with us, be safe!

[@MarciaSalyer]

That’s gorgeous ❤

[@8razar8]

I'm sooo glad you're okay😁

[@sej9231]

Beautiful

[@History321]

That is a good brand of piano. It does not look to be old but a solid brand.

[@nancylpowers4778]

Robert, those photos are smiles in history. I could see some trees on the panels. I watch the others videos too!

[@Michelle-qt4dc]

So pretty

[@Michelle-qt4dc]

Take care

[@lillypad9960]

Robert, Murphys Oil Soap is what my mom and aunt used. No harsh chemicals or strong smell. They both worked extensively with antiques. It is good for wood, also. Blessings from Michigan.

[@melissalane-q7m]

Beautiful!

[@SweetOne.]

on the painted areas. Dab and blot but never never rub. It is a long arduous process. olive oil-based soap is often considered the most effective soap to use. Dab it on and blot it off all painted surfaces until all the dirt is off. Never have it so wet that it drips or runs, The olive oil soap is also good for cleaning stone, it cleans it and feeds it. I have also used saddle soap for leather in the same way. I add the soap to cool water, microfiber clothes can be used on the stone but the painting you want to use felt or blotting cloth, like paper towel to take up all the water. I use makeup sponges, cotton balls & Q Tips to put the water on and cotton balls and paper towel to blot it off. It does take a long time especially when the art is very dirty... you may have to dab and blot the same spot many many many many many times lol

[@MrJeep75]

Gorgeous

[@l.l.2463]

Very cool! I hope you get good advice and are able to follow through. I can't wait to see it when you're finished!

[@Teressa690]

An antique dealer may be able to tell you what to clean it with. It sure is beautiful.

[@History321]

You can get the mirror resilvered.

[@franciscavanraalte7483]

leave everything as original as possible, resilver would decrease the (historical) value.

[@michaelhager2846]

Amazing piece 😊

[@lindatanner8726]

Very cool mantle!!

[@eaglehimmel5491]

If I were an artist, I would volunteer to paint those for you. What a beautiful mantle. Thanks for showing it to us.

[@KatefromOZ62-e5o]

Yeah, my favourite video man!

[@vickiebrannon5217]

Beautiful mantle, and I love the old pictures!

[@terrioestreich4007]

It really is beautiful

[@celleduffel1533]

its beautiful and cant wait to see it all polished up, good luck with it!!!

[@laurawilde8137]

I'd like to have this over my own fireplace! Beautiful piece, excellent job so far. Please keep us updated!!!

[@margaretgarls153]

Beautiful mantle.😊

[@Nancy-kw8xz]

Hello Robert that certainly is a very nice mantle what I find really good to use on wood is called Murphy's Oil chords for all your wood furniture best of luck take care love from upstate New York❤😊

[@mysticmimaw]

Lovely mantle piece!+❤❤

[@shellydehart8217]

I’m sure I’ve missed a few videos. I was hunkered down as Milton the mean hurricane came to my town. I’ve been through many of them but this one took a tole on me. Been without electricity n trying to clean up a war zone in my front n back yard. There are large branches everywhere. I even have a broken window but me n my dog survived it. When I saw your cool looking fire place mantle it look much like an Eastlake style. It’s really awesome just wish I could give you a right answer at how to clean it up properly. I think Sondra had some good advice. There were also a few others. If you can try finding a professional antiques person who has more knowledge. I believe you can have the mirror redone but it might be costly. Sorry Robert that I have kept up with your 2 channels. It’s been very hectic in my neck of the woods. By the way, your hair looked fine. I’ve seen it looked far worse 😁. ♥️♥️😊👍👍👍👍🌟🐾🐾🐾🐾🐈‍⬛

[@michaelhager2846]

Can be resilvered/ the mirror 😊

[@thegreenquill1052]

Consider spit (as in saliva) on a cotton swab for cleaning the surface of the paintings. I have an (online) interest in art restoration, and the pros say spit is gentle, with the perfect pH for the job. Weird but real. On YT, check out episodes of "The Repair Shop," a British show that features restoration specialists in several areas -- art, furniture, instruments -- basically any old thing a person might love and want to restore. There's also a focus on skills that used to be common but aren't anymore. I think you'll appreciate the show even if you don't go the spit direction. But I've seen many others do the spit thing, too.

[@alanatolstad4824]

That's a great show, always makes me cry at the end of each episode, so I don't watch them anymore. Sigh.

[@karenshepler7128]

Thank you for sharing as the manual is beautiful 😍

[@ElzbietaS-i6u]

The art on those panels is wonderful, I can see it :)

[@sandin6689]

Talk to your local or state museum restoration community. I think you have a treasure in the mantal. Look at colors revealed in old master's paintings that have been cleaned

[@barbie5697]

Your hair looks MAHVELOUS dahling! 😊 No advice …. But that mantle is beautiful!

[@beverlysearles61]

Robert I'm sure some can make replicas of the missing parts. It will be a beautiful piece for your home.

[@eleanorlaurent2303]

Pretty 🩷🩷🩷

[@mygrammieis]

Can’t wait to see when it’s Done❤🎉

[@gkiferonhs]

I'd start the cleaning with Murphy's Oil Soap. It's a gentle soap that won't hurt rock or wood. Try to identify the rock types involved.

[@THEOLDBYRDFARMVLOG]

That’s actually what I used

[@kenhorne5650]

Mineral spirts and stone cleaner. Do not use any stain. Finish with paste wax

[@michaeljaworski6522]

I don't know about the stone but I use Murphy's Wood soap which is gentle but cleanses well and moistens the wood.

[@brendahogue5487]

Love and enjoy your videos. May the lord bless and protect you and cleaning up the old Byrd house

[@Susanne-v7w]

Amazing!! Wow!!

[@Mari-B]

Awesome fireplace mantel!! If it could talk!

[@bonniemcvicar-briggs5770]

The only sure why to protect and preserve your mantle piece is to find someone knowledgeable in antique mantles as well as art restoration to come look and evaluate it for you. Murphy's oil soap is generally fine for light cleansing, but you may need something else too. Good luck with it Mr. Robert as it is such a gorgeous piece. Insurance is also something you should look into if you haven't already. ❤

[@robinschwab5172]

Robert, please watch De Hoeve, old Belgian farm renovation. He has repaired an old stone sill using the Japanese technique called Kintsug. Fill the crack with gold. Gold foil was used with a hardening agent.

[@harvestmarymoon9453]

Wow so pretty

[@Carolbearce]

Wow, that mantle is beautiful!

[@CynthiaHoviss]

I would start with good old Murphy’s Oil soap first, then a good or orange oil or good stone polish. Minerals spirits too will not hurt it Robert! 😊 Hope this helps!

[@juliedennis8691]

There is a marble c leaner which polishes also.

[@davidsimpson700]

Looks like you have something special there in that mantle piece.

[@Knitten]

If it's a granite, etc, it will feel cool to the touch. If it is soapstone (a talc based stone), it will feel warm(ish). And you can scratch soapstone much easier than granite, etc. I am a fan of soapstone, but I am not a stone expert by any means.

[@yolandarobertson7104]

Murphy oil soap to clean wood. Then some bees wax to keep it clean and keep the moisture in the wood.

[@Linney321]

very beautiful. Would Scott have any ideas since he does some furniture restoration I believe? Good luck. Can't wait to see it when worked on.

[@libertyandjustus8258]

I'm melting❤ it's gorgeous ❤

[@Lorriann63]

That mantle is fantastic. I hope you can find out more about it's history and get it fixed up so that it's beautiful again ( I know you will!). Thank you for showing us this lovely old piece.

[@FrancisLewis-mf7xi]

Use soft scrub then a pledge cleaning the mirror use newspaper it will shine pretty😊

[@jackierash9680]

But it is part of that house now and its admired that's all that matters just like you are part of that house !

[@ArtzyJ9]

My guess is the stone is soapstone, Bono makes cleaning and sealing products for stone and wood. As far as the art conservation, mask it off to protect the area you are not cleaning. I assume the paint is on wood so, it is most likely oil based paint so it could take some dawn and warm water or even dilute Krud kutter rinsing well after cleaning. I would use distilled water as to not leave any residue. I am not a fan of Murphy's soap as it leaves a residue that on a microscopic level remains sticky and will just get dirty faster. Most conservators would take cotton and wind a bit on the end of a wooden skewer and spend a life time carefully wetting the cotton with distilled water and gently scrubbing a tiny patch at a time, changing the cotton often as to not rub the removed dirt into the art. If you are willing to test a small area you might find diluted acetone, denatured alcohol or mineral spirits could cut through the grime but could lift the paint. No matter what you use, rinsing the area with the distilled water would be needed. I would guess much of the grime is wood soot and ash which is acidic so some dissolved baking soda in water might be something to try before the stronger chemicals. Hope that helps you.

[@deborahdanhauer8525]

I would at least call an art conservator and ask advice, if not take it to them. They use particular chemicals that the average person wouldn’t know or have access to depending on what the art is made of. Good luck with it! Its gorgeous! They make stone cleaner in spray bottles that’s easy to find since so many people have stone counter tops these days.🤗❤️🐝

[@greyferguson9319]

Any imperfections only add to its character.

[@carolecampbell1014]

The paintings are the 4 seasons; winter, fall, spring, and summer. So cool! You will need stone cleaner and polish to clean the fireplace up. I would have a professional come in and clean the paintings! Goodluck. It's stunning.

[@cindys.9688]

Timeless! Such a beautiful mantle. It's a piece of artwork in itself.😊 Looking through the treasures you found in the piano bench is going to be fun! Glad you're better from your fall.💙

[@LJB103]

You might want to look into Krud Kutter.

[@cathyorlowski1951]

Depends on the type of stone. It could be black marble or soapstone. I would use a mild soap castile Peppermint soap is gentle. You might consider getting someone that deals in stone work what you need or even have them come and give you an estimate on restoration.

[@libertyandjustus8258]

Lowes sells a granite and marble cleaner. I think its in a gold or silver squeeze bottle with blue lettering. About the size and shape of a quart of motor oil . It will be by the regular household cleaners. Or you can look online.

[@mavisstaton1530]

I would see if the state has a preservation specialist who could recommend ways of cleaning and restoring the mantel.

[@randomvintagefilm273]

Awesome photos! I hope you find out who they are.

[@julianneavery6995]

you may use soft brush on mirror to remove some of that dirt. more in comments scroll down. I forgot to add this. you have a good start. and are on the right track.

[@gigicostlow4414]

I would use Murphy's Oil Soap on the wood pieces and on the stone parts. It's gentle and will add moisture to the wood. Follow up with some Old English oil on the wood. It will add moisture and bring out the grain on the wood. I would have a professional clean the panels with the artwork. You can use a big really soft brush to gently clean the dust off of them. Also use a soft brush to clean all the little nooks and crannies. That mantel is so beautiful.

[@Abpgsetiloincawdyubkolmbrs]

There was a time when elaborate mantels were made from concrete or cement with faux painting to replicate the look of stone like marble. The fact you have painted scenes on your mantel makes me wonder if this is what you have going on. Apparently they were offered as a less expensive alternative to stone, but then became so popular that they were installed in even expensive home builds. I saw a video on this some time ago but have no idea now where I saw it. Maybe the video listing for a century home for sale? So glad you are taking great care with cleaning this! If it is a painted faux finish I would be careful with the amount of water on your cloth or sponge. Probably a beeswax finish would be least harmful. So exciting! Keep us informed on what you find out!

[@58jennypenny]

first off I would advise calling in an expert on these, they can tell you more on what it's actually made from, and see if the mirror is salvageable.

[@championgolfer]

Cool video. I saw those letters with post marks on them in the piano bench and I’d be interested to see when those date to and the amount of postage on each envelope.

[@Marliyn-ri5ez]

Hello, I would go to the largest city near you that has a good museum and see if they have an Art Curator, If so that person could most likely be able to give you an expert opinion on how to take care of your mantle. I thought at first it was slate but the person who said soapstone is most likely right. Don't know if this helps but it is an idea. Take Care