JVD95 Posted September 7 Report Share Posted September 7 Hi there! Found a listing on Etsy, so I’ll post the photos below. It’s listed as an “antique” tsuba, can anyone help verify its authenticity? I know nothing of these items. It’s meant to be a gift. Thank you in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spartancrest Posted September 7 Report Share Posted September 7 FAKE MODERN - CAST = All the things you don't want to hear, sorry. https://www.ebay.com/itm/156367630966 https://www.etsy.com...amurai?gpla=1&gao=1& 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhoenixDude Posted September 7 Report Share Posted September 7 Beat me to the reply. Etsy is a scammers paradise. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spartancrest Posted September 7 Report Share Posted September 7 1 hour ago, PhoenixDude said: Etsy is a scammers paradise. ebay doesn't do too badly either! https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/175486513381 1 hour ago, JVD95 said: help verify its authenticity Justin good idea of yours when starting on something new to ask , there are a lot of people who can help on this forum. [We have had years of making mistakes - so you don't need to ] The Etsy/ebay fakes are likely based on examples like these: https://www.metmuseu...lection/search/25709 https://art.thewalte...uardian-at-a-temple/ You can get the fake straight from Japan - https://www.jauce.com/auction/q1132475823 Cheaper than ebay or Etsy - but still not worth the money! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JVD95 Posted September 7 Author Report Share Posted September 7 Thanks so much for the help everyone! Y’all are awesome! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake6500 Posted September 8 Report Share Posted September 8 23 hours ago, JVD95 said: Thanks so much for the help everyone! Y’all are awesome! As a general rule, if it looks too perfect or "clean" it probably is! You can tell by looking at the "signature" among other things that this is a modern post-industrial production. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matsunoki Posted September 8 Report Share Posted September 8 Please do not be misled by the above comment re perfection and cleanliness. Many superb tsuba are perfectly clean and in pristine condition so cleanliness and perfection is absolutely no guide to authenticity. The tsuba you show does not look perfect nor clean and is, as Dale says above, an obvious fake. To see what I mean have a look at the tsuba in this upcoming sale. https://www.bonhams....ion-of-Japanese-art/ You will see multiple mixed metal tsuba of seriously fine quality in fantastic condition (sadly all lumped together in multiples) but pay no attention to the estimates. They will make huge money. It is perfectly possible to buy genuine tsuba without spending a lot if that is the gift you wish to give. But know what you are buying…..you were very wise to post it here. Don’t hesitate to do so again. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake6500 Posted September 8 Report Share Posted September 8 14 minutes ago, Matsunoki said: Please do not be misled by the above comment re perfection and cleanliness. Many superb tsuba are perfectly clean and in pristine condition so cleanliness and perfection is absolutely no guide to authenticity. The tsuba you show does not look perfect nor clean and is, as Dale says above, an obvious fake. To see what I mean have a look at the tsuba in this upcoming sale. https://www.bonhams....ion-of-Japanese-art/ You will see multiple mixed metal tsuba of seriously fine quality in fantastic condition (sadly all lumped together in multiples) but pay no attention to the estimates. They will make huge money. It is perfectly possible to buy genuine tsuba without spending a lot if that is the gift you wish to give. But know what you are buying…..you were very wise to post it here. Don’t hesitate to do so again. Certainly this is also true. I don't mean to say that any good craftsmanship = fake. What I meant is more that sometimes "perfect" looking line work or mei can be indicative of post-industrial or modern work. In animated motifs, post-industrial or seemingly "perfect" linework also can make the tsuba look lifeless or unnatural. There are plenty of other things to indicate OP's tsuba is fake such as no Hitsu-Ana, etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spartancrest Posted September 8 Report Share Posted September 8 1 hour ago, Matsunoki said: To see what I mean have a look at the tsuba in this upcoming sale. https://www.bonhams....ion-of-Japanese-art/ You will see multiple mixed metal tsuba of seriously fine quality in fantastic condition (sadly all lumped together in multiples) but pay no attention to the estimates. They will make huge money. Just a smaller list from Bonhams of the tsuba [and a few other things] https://www.bonhams..../search/?query=tsuba For me the most telling aspect of spotting fakes is they tend to turn up in significant numbers, but you have to spread your searches over a lot of sites and need a good memory for recurring "faces". The makers of these things can also get very creative and issue several colour types or even make them in different alloys - they then hope you will buy the other version because it can't be a fake if it is different can it? [Answer: Oh yes it can!] These examples below should be obvious to anyone [even the visually handicapped! ] Also you should never judge a tsuba by the signature - especially when it is cast in! Ps. these are shockers in more ways than one! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spartancrest Posted September 8 Report Share Posted September 8 Just carrying on from the previous post I just noticed a "new" fake been added to the huge list! Though the colours are not even close to what you would expect, the design is one that many of us are familiar with [I call it the "Tea room window"] You can compare the design to the numerous other "real" examples. The makers of the fake have done a pretty good job of the design - and a bloody awful job of the paint work! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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