I did not lick it but I'm fairly sure it's glass... LOL!

I would do a "test wetting" on a small patch as close to the underneath side as possible and observe how it reacts and dries. If all looks ok, I'd soak it gently and for a short time. It's a very pretty piece!

I don't know the answer, but I WANT ONE!

Never heard of it, off to research.... :)

P.S. I would dunk it, too...maybe use a baby toothbrush on it..

Wow!

http://www.emstudioglass.com/technique.htm

I'll bet you could message this Etsy maker and ask her how to clean your piece.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/665862630/pate-de-verre-ice-bowl?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pate+de+verre&ref=sr_gallery-1-39&cns=1

Maybe using a dishwasher drying agent and dishsoap. That's how I cleaned a glass bead chandelier.

I'm not sure about removing grime or smell, but for dust you could try a can of air. Like you clean your keyboard with. It's beautiful!

It's a beautiful piece. IdaClaire, that technique write-up is cool -- their finished piece is amazing. I tried to find more about cleaning techniques and did find this information. Cleaning glass. Note that it says to wash pate de verre while wearing gloves because it is "extremely sensitive to staining from oils".

I wouldn't use anything wet on it, just a feather duster.

I took a very basic glassblowing class a couple of weeks ago, and have a completely new respect for those who create beautiful pieces from that material. It's an incredible process! (And hot as hell.)

Thanks for all the suggestions! I wish I could get away with just dusting (compressed air is perfect) but it's just so stinky. I think it was in a display case with scented candles or something awful.

I'm fairly sure the glass part can take a gentle bath (pending a licking to be sure it's not sugar). But the metal? Why hasn't it oxidized already, even without a bath?

Maybe the smell will fade by the time I figure out what to do with it. :)

I think it was in a display case with scented candles or something awful.

I feel your pain. I can't stand to walk into stores such as Kirkland's that smell to high heaven of an overbearing mix of candles or potpourri or something. I can't imagine having to try to work in such a place. Many years ago I had a booth in a craft mall when those were all the rage in this area, and we were required to work the mall for a few hours each month. I couldn't take the retch-inducing, sickly-sweet scents wafting through that place either, and always went home with a nauseated headache. I finally closed up shop, it was THAT bad. Shortly thereafter the mall itself closed its doors. I can't help but wonder how many people those places truly SICKEN with their scented products.

I feel like I've been there, Ida! Sometimes when you come out of places like that your hair will smell for hours.

This is almost a fruity smell. Route 66 gas station restroom air freshener smell.

Yes. Gross. I can conjure up a headache just THINKING about that smell.

What about filling it with baking soda or kitty litter to absorb the smell? Of course that might add to the cleaning dilemma. I would submerge it in lukewarm water and gentle dish detergent, let it soak, swish the suds around and rinse carefully with more lukewarm water, then, if it still reeks, try baking soda inside for a couple off days, then clean again. It's a lovely piece.

Can you stuff it with newspaper? That might absorb the odor and be easy to remove.

You know when your dog gets a little "ripe"? When ours does and we are headed out for a while, I'll put a bowl of plain white vinegar in the mudroom where she likes to hang out while we're away. Somehow that vinegar neutralizes ripe dog smell. I bet if you placed this piece next to a bowl of vinegar while you're researching other ways of cleaning it, it might get the process started.

Thanks! I'll try some of these, and I'm laughing about the "ripe dog". Not that it's ever a problem around here. O no...not here! My little dog smells wonderful *gack cough*.

Maybe the smells could cancel each other out!

Crumpled newspaper works. I put it in the cabinet of an antique sideboard and changed it every week.

In the same vein as odour absorbing ideas, Lee Valley has this volcanic deodorizer: "Working like super baking soda, these porous bags of volcanic rock absorb and neutralize odors, including strong odors like smoke and perfume."Lee Valley - Volcanic deodorizer

Hope you find a solution. It's a gorgeous piece.

Perhaps you could get a big garbage bag, put a layer of charcoal in it, place the glass piece in the bag and seal the bag. Leave it sealed in the charcoal bag for a day or so. Charcoal is excellent for removing scents.