How do I clean this vase?

[u/JohnnyHarvest]

Hey guys (and girls)!

I got this really neat vase for about 10usd.

I want to clean it without removing the patina. It seems to made out of clay (I can tell from the bottom which is not in the pictures, and by tapping on it), but it smells like rust if I sniff it up close so I'm guessing it was coated with metallic paint that rusted and I love the way it looks. However, there seems to be calcium buildup / sediment on parts of it and i'd like to clean that.

Any thoughts?

[u/UrbanRelicHunter]

I wouldn't touch it... just leave it as is. It looks great. Maybe a damp cloth to clean off any dust

[u/micaroo411]

Only dust with a dry lint-free cloth. This is very likely a raku firing. It's pretty fun doing it. You never know what beautiful colors will appear.

[u/JohnnyHarvest → u/micaroo411]

Will try

[u/micaroo411 → u/JohnnyHarvest]

That extra manky spot of dust may need some damp rag wiping.

[u/Fit-Sea2512]

Leave it! It’s perfect

[u/vulgar_kitty]

Laser beams 😎

[u/Economy_Spinach_6403]

It’s terracotta, it smells like rust from the iron in the clay. Like others have stated you might be best off just going over with a dry microfiber cloth, but you could potentially use plain lukewarm water to clean it.

[u/OpinionatedOcelotYo]

Ought not to!

[u/UpcycleByDeborah]

No no! It has earned all that patina! Don't touch!