Restore Or Not Restore

[kissakai]

Hi

I’m curious about the general feeling about restoring

We have seen spectacular results of restoration posted on this forum

 

Some times it is obvious that when a item has been reworked by an amateur (most of us will have seen the cleaned up religious painting) or damaged that restoration will be beneficial

 

What about the attached image?

This tsuba has only just been purchased from a member of the NMB and I’m very pleased with it so there is no need to discuss its merits

 

You will see that there is no damage just discoloured

If it was restored would it be, more desirable, less desirable or make no difference?

 

I didn’t want to this topic to be based on value but just your personal views

 

 

 

Grev UK

[Guido]

... I’m very pleased with it so there is no need to discuss its merits

 

With that caveat no meaningful answer is possible.

[kissakai]

Hi Guido

It is OK with me to ignore the caveat

I was just worried where the discussion would end up

[Alex A]

Hi Grev, as the previous owner

 

All down to personal opinion but I would leave it as it is.

 

Its very old and shows natural age.

 

I think sometimes folk worry too much about stuff.

[Ford Hallam]

As a craftsman, artist and sometimes restorer I would, in this case, leave this tsuba as it is.

 

From my perspective restoration needs to be a very careful balance between a piece being helped to look like a  reasonable example of its type and of its age and, on the other hand, the natural urge to 'improve' the appearance based on personal preference and possible commercial advantage.

 

With this particular piece the surface appearance, while in no way reflective of what it once was, is now a testament to it's age and is, as a bonus, quite satisfying from an aesthetic point of view. Just to be clear, this appearance can now in no way be assumed to be part of it's supposed Japanese or samurai history, so much as happened to the original patina, if any actual traces remain. Having said that it is apparently an old bit of pleasingly shaped brass that has a satisfying patina. It is what is appears to be, no more and no less. I appreciate it for that and need to imagine nothing more.

[seattle1]

Hello:

 Just making a contrast with Japanese swords I would say that restoration of a sword by a qualified togi-shi is likely to be value adding both aesthetically and financially,  and that prediction is based on what the owner starts with and what he can reasonably be expect at the end of the restoration. It is a well understood process as the outcome, assuming no disaster from a problem that could not be seen before hand or anticipated, will likely deliver a pleasing result. With tsuba restoration of any sort it is a less predicable process, particularly with soft metal. Removal of superficial red rust on an iron tsuba is perhaps an exception of course. I believe most collectors are willing to take tsuba as they are found, whereas that is not so for swords. Adding to the foregoing is the issue of qualified restorers for tosogu and how such a service chain would even function. Folks with the skills of Ford Hallam must be very few and far between. In many years of collecting I have never heard of anyone sending a tsuba to Japan for restoration, though that is where finding a qualified person is most likely and it has doubtless happened. Restorations that I have seen attempted by amateurs here in the US have usually left a lot to be desired, sometimes with the result looking worse after than before.

 Arnold F.

[kissakai]

Hi

Thanks for your replies but I did think there would be more response to stimulate a better discussion

 

Guido

I thought you were itching to say something now the caveat had been removed!

 

I'm pretty well in agreement with the replies but I did have a tsuba repatinated to remove a very small blemish that distracted my eye every time I looked at it

As it is a tsuba I'm sure I will not sell the price was immaterial

[kissakai]

I've just watched 'American Pickers' about an old car

It was an Auburn but the restoration (ignoring the innards etc) only really removed the crud

It was patchy worn and looked great - It promoted its age on its sleeve for all to see

For years it was all about bringing a car back to showroom condition as this was the aim promoted at all the car shows

It looks as if the trend is changing to not hiding the character/age

I pleased to say that the posted tsuba has character

[Alex A]

Hi Grev, I agree, it has character like an old car, Roman coin, bronze statue and so on.

 

As mentioned, it is what it is, so why mess with it?

 

When I say "sometimes folk worry too much", this is good example

 

We are all picky to a certain extent, just that some folk are more picky than others.

 

I used to collect the odd coin or two, so thats perhaps why I tend to look at things differently. You see stains etc,i see natural age. It never bothered me, and I doubt it will ever bother me, it is what is is

 

I used to worry over small kizu in swords, not so bothered these days

 

Judging by the number of tsuba around with very strange "antique" patina, I'm glad of natural wear and tear/age, so think on lol.

 

Ps, the tsuba looks much better in hand than in photos.

[TETSUGENDO]

I feel as if I have tumbled down the RABBIT HOLE.  Curiouser and curiouser.  How do I get back to the NIHONTO MESSAGE BOARD?

 

Steven K.

[Jamie]

The back arrow at the bottom of your iPhone Steven.