Bonham Auction And Fake Tsuba

[jlawson]

Just got an email for a new sale for Bonhams. Pretty sad state of affairs when Bohams lists 5 obvious fake Chinese tsuba as 19th century Japanese. http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/22857/lot/156/

 

Not exactly sure who is curating these sales and validating the items but they need some education. 

[Curran]

That would be pretty sad.

The NYC group has a good knowledge. I'm surprised the Sydney group wouldn't know these for what they are.

[Marius]

What a blunder. 

[lonely panet]

sack the bastards. struth

[IanB]

I would also point out lot 205 is described as Japanese but in reality is Chinese. 

Ian Bottomley

[Ed]

Saw those this morning, couldn't believe they would list that crap.

[Pete Klein]

Customer Services (Australia)

 

WorkTel: +61 2 8412 2222

 

FaxFax: +61 2 9475 4110

 

info.au@bonhams.com

[jlawson]

FYI Pete I had sent an email to them when I first saw the auction. The email I got back was "Thank you very much for alerting us regarding lot 156. I will have the 

pieces checked by our consultant."

[Pete Klein]

That's good to hear.

[jlawson]

Still it is kind of ridiculous that they got in there in the first place. Curran I agree the New York group is much better however I also bought a tsuba a couple of years ago in a heat of the moment during an auction in 2012 and when I saw it in hand it was an obvious fake as well. Bonham's took it back and refunded the purchase but still, it must have passed some review and was in their auction. 

[lonely panet]

well clearly I will never go though them, at first I tough a harm full mistake but sounds like its a repeat incident, for the buyers premium and commission fees you would think they could have a simple idea of what is fake and real.

 

shame shame shame.

[jlawson]

I don't think there is any malice in this just them not doing their homework when listing pieces. I would not hesitate to buy from them as they do stand behind their items if they are not what they appear to be. I do also agree though that they should have experts in each field reviewing their listings (at least at a basic level).  I found the same issue when they list tsuba that are "made by" vs tsuba that are "signed as". The level of knowledge required to attribute whether or not something was made by the smith that bears its name is no small task and very few people are able to do do that with credibility. 

[Pete Klein]

Just remember, 'due diligence' rules, in 'any' transaction. If you choose not to study and rely solely upon 'trust' in others, you are setting yourself up for the 'BIG FALL'.

 

This is an excellent video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsz0AUrS_pw

 

I believe from about 7:00 minutes to 9:30 where the concept of Zanshin is discussed applies here. The entire video is worth watching.

[RobertM]

On another note would Bonham's confirm if a piece is gemei? I've seen some tsuba before with questionable mei's going for big bucks.

 

Rob m

[jlawson]

How would they Rob? And if they did who would put credence in their opinion? We've already established that they even have complete fake items in their auctions because of a lack of knowledge or review of the items. Determining whether something is Gimei requires much more knowledge. 

[Michael Kwok]

I have heard that Bonhams is to be sold.  That is why some departments have been closed (like their whiskey department in NYNY).

[jlawson]

FYI the Sydney group never got back to me after they said they would investigate it. However I did email the folks I deal with in London and they were much more concerned about the lot. They did send an email back and confirmed that these were reproductions and that they had seen a few that were submitted to them and rejected in London apparently. The nice folks in London said they would make sure the Sydney folks knew.....

[Stephen]

Well you know them Oz boys

[jlawson]

FYI they withdrew the lot. 

[Brian]

Where do we send the bill for consultancy fees?

 

Brian

[Soshin]

To be honest I saw the lot of Chinese fakes tsuba as I am registered with the auction house via email and I just rolled my eyes was thinking "buyer beware on and off eBay now". I don't deal much with them and don't have a contact by name. I am glad James stepped up and contacted someone at the auction house to let them know all the tsuba of that lot are fake.