Kinko tsuba with light cleaning

[jason_mazzy]

A new tsuba

[Ken-Hawaii]

Tree & dragon?

[jason_mazzy]

I believe clouds. Here is some closeups of the corrosion.

[jason_mazzy]

And what appears to be copper under a thick gold gilt?

[jason_mazzy]

And what appears to be copper under a thick gold gilt?

[jason_mazzy]

.

[ROKUJURO]

Jason,

if your TSUBA was really thickly gold plated, you will not find corrosion.

[jason_mazzy]

Jason,

if your TSUBA was really thickly gold plated, you will not find corrosion.

 

 

That was my thought but it does appear to be gold gilt to my eyes; however, I am not a metallurgist.

[Gunome]

Hello,

 

For me it is a sentoku tsuba that has been cleaned.

White of first picture are the remains of the cleaning product. These kinds of products could remove plated gold.

[Tanto54]

+1 to Sebastien - looks like Brasso or a similar abrasive metal polish was used on it and left the light tan residue.  Might have even had a dark patina before it was polished up.

[jason_mazzy]

Maybe, I know it was verdigris and it was in that condition. It was not shiny either but green and white which looked like corrupted ibota wax to me. Appears to be much patina in the scales and the rim. I'm looking for help and opinions so keep them coming, perhaps this may need a professional restoration.

[rkg]

Jason,

How much does it weigh??

 

Not too long ago I got a "brass" and iron tsuba where the "brass" assayed out to 10-14 Karat gold (I'd assume it was ~10Karat - I touched the gold "cup" in the nakago ana as it had already been filed somewhat recently there to avoid damaging old surface/so it could not have been iroe) - and it actually had little bits corrosion here and there on the gold (see images) - maybe it was the solder they used to put it together or something, but...
 

https://www.facebook.com/266005023454853/photos/a.2437657022956298/2437661219622545/?type=3&theater

 

Best,

rkg

(Richard George)

[jason_mazzy]

Jason,

How much does it weigh??

 

Not too long ago I got a "brass" and iron tsuba where the "brass" assayed out to 10-14 Karat gold (I'd assume it was ~10Karat - I touched the gold "cup" in the nakago ana as it had already been filed somewhat recently there to avoid damaging old surface/so it could not have been iroe) - and it actually had little bits corrosion here and there on the gold (see images) - maybe it was the solder they used to put it together or something, but...

 

https://www.facebook.com/266005023454853/photos/a.2437657022956298/2437661219622545/?type=3&theater

 

Best,

rkg

(Richard George)

I have not weighed it yet as I recently moved and have no idea where my jewelry stuff is. I'll tell you it is quite heavy to my hand however so is good brass.

[Ken-Hawaii]

Likely no corrosion ON the gold, but possibly under it. How was it assayed, Rich?

[Spartancrest]

You could perhaps clear the white residue off simply by boiling in demineralized water, that should not damage any remaining patina. 

[rkg]

Likely no corrosion ON the gold, but possibly under it. How was it assayed, Rich?

Touchstone/acid - the standard method...

rkg