Maritime Tsuba

[Brian]

Definitely. Do NOT try anything yourself. Not sure if he's taking on work anymore, but drop @Ford Hallam a message for advice.

[Baka Gaijin]

Ford is indeed the man for the job, currently he is engaged upon the conservation of a nunome zogan box for me.

 

His knowledge of Japanese metals and their care is unparalleled.

 

 

[Alban L]

Thanks Brian, I will contact Ford. I wouldn't have tried anything by myself anyway, I don't have any competence for it and I always apreciate seeing the work of the real specialists !

 

Beautiful box Malcolm, what was it made for exactly ?

[Baka Gaijin]

Good afternoon Alban,

 

In the 19th Century, small boxes like this were sometimes used for small items of interest, often contained in a larger Cabinet of Curiosities (Wunderkammer).

 

Later generations would repurpose them according to their requirement and Social standing.

 

When I discovered this one, last year, it had been used for Turkish Cigarettes since the 1960's.

[Alban L]

On 7/14/2022 at 3:49 PM, Toryu2020 said:

I like your tsuba in the original post, at first I would not have said he was "wielding" it but if you look close there does appear to be someone cowering in the other boat (at 7 o'clock)

 

Good morning Thomas,

 

Thanks again for identifying possible other characters in the lower part. I tried to imagine what this tsuba may have looked like with faces and hands inlays :

 

 

That makes me wonder, would it be considered a total heresy to restore this kind of inlays ?

[SteveM]

5 hours ago, Alban L said:

would it be considered a total heresy to restore this kind of inlays ?

 

I think restoring inlay is one of the least controversial restoration projects. 

This assumes (of course) its being done by a professional who understands Japanese inlay techniques. 

[Spartancrest]

Something you don't come across every day - Anchor menuki.

https://www.jauce.com/auction/m1058509368

On 7/21/2022 at 6:31 PM, Alban L said:

That makes me wonder, would it be considered a total heresy to restore this kind of inlays ?

I would not think this was ever true inlay work to start with - I would suggest they should have used better rice or fish glue when they were attaching the features.

There are a number of guards made this way - unfortunately.

[Alban L]

Thanks Dale ! That's a very nice anchor menuki, never seen one like this. I'll try to get this one !

[Kurikata]

Be careful : https://www.ebay.com/itm/185509599612?hash=item2b313bd97c%3Ag%3AI9cAAOSwJ3li2m7j&LH_Auction=1

 

looks like some copies are flying on the market

[Spartancrest]

Bruno, I think these are the same menuki. A lot of dealers sell on multiple sites. How they work out who wins - I have no idea! You will often see a huge markup on eBay items compared to the Japanese sites, I call it Gaijin prices. 

[Alban L]

Good evening, here are the anchor menuki I got thanks to Dale, and also a beautiful tsuba showing a warrior on a boat :

 

 

 

[Spartancrest]

Alban a Woodblock to add to your collection. Battle of Dan-no-ura. You will notice the type of low sided ship.

 

 

https://wasenmodeler.com/resources/glossary-of-Japanese-boat-terms/

Edited September 15, 2022 by Spartancrest
Japanese shipping terms added

[Spartancrest]

Hi Alban, an identical tsuba to your first post has turned up here - https://www.jauce.com/auction/t1064724176  no doubt also on Buyee and Yahoo.

Identical but with more rust and the face is again missing. So my guess that these are cast [possible reworked] and with applied [glued]  "inlay" is looking more and more likely.

[Spartancrest]

What is it with anchors and no faces?   https://www.jauce.com/auction/b1044191727