If the carving you have is of historical importance, or is extremely valuable,
I urge you to find a restoration group in your area, and have them do any cleaning.
They are the experts. This advice is meant for less valuable, personal possessions that
you want to clean up for display in you home.
Removing the dirt:
The simplest way to clean a carving is with mild dish detergent and
warm water. I usually use a cleaning cloth and gently scrub the surface areas.
The best tool for tight places is an inexpensive,
soft bristle toothbrush. A paintbrush also works well, and may be more suitable
for larger carvings.
It is up to you if you wish to be more aggressive in the scrubbing. Avoid
scrub pads, steel wool, or wire thigs. These will scratch wood, stone and marble.
Try to stick with a soft cloth, turning to sanding if necessary. But,
If you sand, it will show later. For a "like new" look, the whole carving may
need to be repainted.
Protecting:
After cleaning, I prefer a coat of wax as the sealer for most things.
In the case of wanting to restore shine, the acrylic floor polish, Future©,
is a good coating. This works well on marble and stone as well.
In the case of an outside display, a top coat of car wax is probably a good
idea, unless, of course, the work is meant to look rustic. Marble, limestone,
and alabaster are very susceptible to acid rain erosion. A coat of wax can
reduce this a lot. Be careful in applying this. Choose a clear one if possible.
The green stuff gets in cracks and takes a lot of work to get out.
Paint:
Cleaning paint is tricky. If the paint is peeling or
flaking off, it will be your judgement call whether to scrub smooth,
or leave things as they are. If you plan to "touch up" the painted
areas, be aware that underlying chips and areas of missing paint will show.
For a "like new" look, the only option will be to remove the old paint.
This can be labour intensive, and might best be done by someone experienced
in restoring furniture.
Again, don't do this to anything of historical value. Even family
heirloom carvings should be checked for antique value.
Hope this advice was of some help.
Clifton