Restoration is itself an art as well as a scientific and engineering effort.

Paintings are treated to remove as much detritus and patina as possible without damaging the underlying pigments or lacquers that might have been part of the original artwork (some might argue this is itself destructive and might accidentally go too far.)

To make this process easier to future treatments, restores take great care to make their contribution visibly obvious to a careful (and close) observer rather than blend it with the original.

I think something along these lines will be the best solution for all; perhaps we can avoid reinstalling that pike which - however beautiful in its own - was more suited to an Alpine parish church.