Hi,  I am doing some restoration on the action of an 1886 Vose & Sons
upright.  It has four brackets that support the action.  They appear to
be of cast steel, and cruddy.  They clean up pretty well, and appear to
perhaps have been plated at one time.

Does anybody know whether or this might be true?  Would it do any harm
to have them plated or re-plated?

It is a beautiful Victorian style ornate black lacquer upright, with a
marvelous rich sound board.  Also, behind the fretwork in the front, on
each side of the music rack, there appears to be a black silk fabric.
What could I replace it with?

Thanks again!
Doug Anderson