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Posted

Hi guys,

 

I am somewhat new to collecting and wanted to get your thoughts on this tsuba?

 

signed Umetada... Do you think it is a cast copy or genuine?

 

I am interested in hearing the rationale behind your votes.

 

Thanks for the guidance!

 

Regards,

Adam D.

post-4868-14196889438911_thumb.jpg

Posted

Thanks, Thierry!

 

Can you elaborate as to what leads you to that judgment? I am trying to learn to discern.

 

What first made me suspicious was the mei. It doesn't seem as crisp as it should.

 

I would appreciate what things you spotted.

 

Regards,

Adam D.

Posted

hint1: what metal (alloy) is it made of? Is that iron? copper? brass? or rather something else? look at the pores in the metal

hint2: can you see how the gilding was done? Do you see the splatters? Does that look like good workmanship to you?

hint3: carving: are those flowers really carved?

 

advice: look at some real tsuba, buy some books. You'll get the hang of it very quickly :)

Posted

All the surfaces of this thing are slightly concave. This indicates that it was cast. As the metal (whatever it might be) cooled , it drew in. Look at all the surfaces. They are all slightly concave. Clear indication of casting

Oh, I should also say that it looks like crap, too.

Peter

Posted

Definitely one of low quality copies, they have a look about them, "monkey metal", is the term i would use. If these had been around in the warring states period, Samurai would have needed eye protection from a huge increase in flying shrapnel. ;)

Posted

Thanks all for the great guidance. I am trying to develop my eye to spot fakes such as this. This seller did wind up taking someone for $164. Yikes!

  • 2 weeks later...

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