Tsuba Assistance

[Shamsy]

Good morning all,

 

I'll open by saying that I've never really studied sword fittings and need some help. I have a friend who collects tsuba and I found one I quite like the look of. I'd like to buy it as a gift or maybe for myself, but unfortunately there are so many fakes and modern reproduction out there.

 

I don't know how you guys can spot it, but could you please take a look at this one and tell me;

 

Is it real?

How old is it?

I hate to be layman, but what would I expect to pay price wise for a similar example?

 

Thank you for your time and expertise.

[John A Stuart]

Real, Edo period. Rusty. Some TLC needed. John

[Spartancrest]

Shamsy

 

This is Edo period as John says. It is a little worse for wear, it would have been very nice originally, the gold has saved the features of the Dragon fairly well. I would not pay more than $80 for it, you can get better on eBay for that much if you are patient. Not that you will find the very best on eBay. Jauce.com sometimes have bargain buys, though you will be stung by rather heavy fees and bank charges. Picture is one with Dragons I bought for around $65 total, some wear and the gold nunome has totally worn off.

 

Dale from Tassie

[ROKUJURO]

Steve,

this once was probably a very nice (real) TSUBA. Its age  - a few hundred years - does not add to its value! Only the quality counts, and there is not much left of the iron plate, unfortunately!  An expert collector would not be interested to buy this item, I am afraid.

Please have a loooong look here in the NMB TOSOGU department at good and collectable TSUBA, so that you get an idea of what one should buy. 
 

......Is it real?
How old is it?
....what would I expect to pay price wise for a similar example?

[vajo]

I would you pay 120 Euro for this. It looks very nice for me.