China Burma India Patch

Always had a bit of a soft spot for the CBI because it nearly gets ignored by almost everyone. Picked this up at an antique shop last week and have been debating what to do with it.

It is what the call a bullion patch, made in theater, most likely in India. This is the nicest one I have seen in my research so far, possibly because it's been in this frame since shortly after the war. The photos are not the best due to it being under glass and that's part of my problem.

The glass is "fogged" a bit, especially the top portion of the patch. There is also some dirt under the glass and the gold frame just reminds be of "old".

But that introduces another problem. The frame and the matting are obviously old and lend to the authenticity of the patch, removing it harms it's history.

I would like to put it in a nicer, less tacky, shadow box to better display it and keep it preserved. I'm also curious as to the construction of the back.

Thoughts? I don't normally get into patches much, military anyway, I have a huge collection of wildlife conservation patches. I have encountered this glass fogging before with them and other things in tight frames.

I figure I can photo document it before removing it but not sure if that's enough.

What say the patch collectors?

I have been able to confirm the art gallery was in business in 1947 with the same label.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../AzRFBB6-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../X2XXV1g-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../eRh3vws-1.jpg

I know how to get it out, the question is should I get it out.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Aragorn243

I know how to get it out, the question is should I get it out.

---

Tally one vote for disassemble, clean the glass and reframe and paper seal. I would try to save the gallery label and reapply to the sealing paper.
My local Hobby Lobby does outstanding work on things like this.

Leave it as it is. The old frame backing paper and label are part of the provenance and the authenticity, and that is an object very easily faked, especially where it was originally made. I'm guessing either the demand is low or they just haven't noticed it yet.

It may be worth looking into changing the glass in the frame to a modern alternative but still using the original frame.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Flying10uk

It may be worth looking into changing the glass in the frame to a modern alternative but still using the original frame.

---

It does need a clean, but the minute you cut that old backing off you've broken the seal so to speak.

The moment you change the frame, backing, etc you lose the provenance. It would only be a patch in a refurbished frame, nothing more.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Daan Kemp

The moment you change the frame, backing, etc you lose the provenance. It would only be a patch in a refurbished frame, nothing more.

---

So in your opinion, what provenance is lost when you remove it from the frame? Does the frame as is establish it as an original, period piece? or something else?

Removing it does not change the patch, it remains original. But I can see how the proof becomes less clear which is my initial concern.

For the record, it is still in the frame. I have made no decision on it yet. I don't know if there are repro's of these out there yet or not. Probably. It's not an extremely high dollar item but enough that a profit could be made off them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Surpmil

It does need a clean, but the minute you cut that old backing off you've broken the seal so to speak.

---

Why do you think that I suggested changing the glass for a modern alternative? For no reason?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Flying10uk

Why do you think that I suggested changing the glass for a modern alternative? For no reason?

---

Forgive my ignorance but wouldn't changing the glass to a modern alternative require removing the back? I would leave it as is because like earlier stated, it adds provenance. It's either a decision of leaving it alone, or changing its history and provenance by replacing one or more parts of the frame.

You can't swap out anything without removing the back. It might be possible to refinish the frame but it would be a mess and could possibly damage something.

It's either go all in and take it apart or leave it alone.

A meeting in the middle might be photo documenting the entire process, creating a photo sheet, removing, cleaning, re-matting in a cleaned frame or replacement frame/shadowbox and attaching an envelope to the back of the frame and inserting the photo sheet with completion signature and date.

I say that because a museum wouldn't leave it as is in that frame.

I like the rustic frame and matting. They seem to me to add to the interest but can't imagine it adding collector value. My vote remains the same. Cool piece either way.

I'm all for leaving the patina of an items journey that is part of its history ppl get so hung up on making it look pretty and new when in actual fact your devaluing it.
With ordnance I see it all the time stuff polished to the hilt yeah looks great but you've just wiped off years of its story, I'd affix another backing in a way to preserve the rear cover and lightly wipe the frame over with a damp micro cloth clean the glass and leave it at that.

But hey that's just my take on collecting stuff over the years from the wars and other ecclectic gear.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HOOKED ON HISTORY

I like the rustic frame and matting. They seem to me to add to the interest but can't imagine it adding collector value. My vote remains the same. Cool piece either way.

---

Agreed. The framing itself is quite old which tells the story that someone thought very highly of this patch even when it was relatively “new.”