Matsunoki

It’s a bat on a pomegranate.Its Japanese. It has damage (section missing on the stalk…maybe there was another leaf) Age…..probably Meiji. Not a common subject matter.

Thanks Alex. Boy we are making hard work of something blindingly obvious🙂

Here is another from the same group that I bought. It has the same heavy patina on one side and a similar vertical hanging mark This has nothing to do with a heavier patina being applied to just one side.

Sorry Chris, in this instance you are wrong. I have the benefit of handling the piece and also the others that came with it. All had similar heavy discolouration to one side.

Jean, this is definitely not anything to do with shibuichi or shakudo. It is definitely sentoku ie a brass type alloy and that definitely does develop an oxidised patina depending on what it is exposed to. I’ve handled a fair bit of Japanese mixed metalwork and its restoration. The re-patination of overcleaned pieces basically restores a fine layer of oxides on all/any alloys - the final colour of which will vary depending on the actual balance of constituent metals used and the chemicals used in the process. That is what gives the often stunning multicoloured effect found on these pieces. Gold however does not oxidise (I think!) On this tsuba, if you look closely on the front side you can see a very fine line that goes from the nakago ana vertically to the rim. That strongly suggests it has been hung up to display using a fine wire or thread. Thus the face will have been totally exposed to whatever whilst the reverse will have been protected. I first bought this tsuba together with a few other really good Kinko pieces all of which had the same vertical line. I suspect that some of the colouration could also be nicotine…..maybe on the wall in a “gentleman’s study” type environment.

Equally amazing how some people get “taken in”.

Sutton Hoo is not a Viking. It is Anglo Saxon ie the civilisation that developed when the Romans cleared off it and predates the arrival of the Vikings by a few centuries. We are learning much more about them with further archeological discoveries and turns out they had the pattern welding knowledge and ability…..probably brought over by the colonists from Germany, the Netherlands etc (ie the “Saxons”). And probably merged with the forging technologies that the Romans undoubtedly left behind. The early dark ages aren’t quite as dark as we thought.

Your spidey-sense tingling as well?

Well, stepping out of anonymity…… and just the opinions of an old fart etc etc Personally I think porn that veers towards beastiality is pretty damned sick. Calling someone Adolf Hitler displays a remarkable lack of awareness of the difference between a delusional mass murderer and someone trying to moderate a serious forum in a way that is acceptable to most without causing too much offence. Some will always throws toys outa the pram but hey Ho. Images of large cushions shaped as phallus are what I think the little schoolgirls are laughing at on their phones when I drive past them on the way to the gym. Last time l looked in the mirror I wasn’t an arsehole but I have got one and I try not to talk out of it (yes, failing at times I know) Just sayin. Downvote or further insults awaited.

Don’t think so.

Putting each sword on a different thread would have made it much easier!!….especially for someone like me who gets confused easily🙂 Maybe next time. Happy hunting.

Another thread on here has been talking about brass type alloys and their appearance/patina. That discussion reminded me of this tsuba that has returned to me having had a short holiday elsewhere🙂 One side has been exposed to the light/atmosphere, the other side shrouded. It looks like it was hung via a very thin thread rather than boxed. The difference is quite spectacular, you would not believe they are sides of the same tsuba made from the same alloy. Anyone beat that for a stark contrast?

That looks Anglo Saxon replica??? Sutton Hoo?

This way up….

Chinese fake. Sorry.

I doubt any image will tell you what it is. The Japanese used a huge number of different alloys often personalised by the artist making small adjustments to one of the many standard formulas. I also doubt this tsuba is plated…why bother? Much simpler to make it out of a homogeneous alloy. I don’t think this shakudo…..that is usually much more of a noticeable copper colour. I’d settle for a sentoku alloy of some type ie a variety of what we generically call bronze. The only way to be sure is to take it to someone with an XRF analyser.

You got the images the wrong way up………..

Had another closer look. Pretty certain it’s bone. These little black dots and fine lines look just like the fine blood vessels that run through bone. I would think Ox is a good candidate and would provide enough material to turn and hollow. It would also necessitate the separate base section. You can see the detail if you blow up the images. As for where it was made…hmmm….Japanese “shape” but clearly UK Victorian manufacturing techniques and function. The Ojime could of course be a large bead adapted. Quite a puzzle.

Can’t confirm Mei (sorry) but can tell you the subject is “The slaying of the Nue”…..old legend….google will tell all. Not sure the quality is up to Goto work although it’s very nice.

The above two statements appear to contradict each other. I think you will find that working for physical auction houses brings just as many problems and challenges because buyers do have rights against these auctioneers if things are misdescribed, fake, messed with etc. And sellers will still try the same “tricks” to deceive. You will sleep better as a togishi.

Thousands of tsuba are made from shakudo. Generally the quality is pretty good because it is an expensive alloy to use. Beware patination that looks like shakudo but isn’t (Nagoya mono spring to mind!)

If you set yourself up as a high profile expert and you are paid for that role then you really need to be able to perform it. “Not enough time” or “genuine mistake” is no use to buyers who find themselves scammed or mislead. It is very demanding role, not something to be undertaken unless you really know the full range of what you are evaluating or certifying. Being kind and nice just doesn’t cut it in this harsh business…..sadly. I speak as an ex-consulatant for an auction house. I wish you well as a polisher, I suspect you will be much happier.

Some an be pretty big! https://www.woodcraf...gua-nut-pack-5-piece

True Piers but I’m not so sure this is old. Reminds me of…… https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226559527472?_skw=tagua+nut+pomander&itmmeta=01JJRQFHMZ2WB92H9MMHG1YFY5&hash=item34c0000a30:g:4PgAAOSwCcpj-KQq&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKlG1pKs1GDlULtNHoOeuoAwfhsSfNXPZgnPjWF80RN22Z0lGOqLiEHax%2Bkpe1DprmSrlIqTneG5GozxYbV3VEzNdxyHqMvXV4UyYSaJGOHxH00BDT3o5cDvIHc%2BBrHHWhnafR7IJ5ScWiNKEjuAQKr46MMHnBGmbAEzzUm5pFsJmBGxZk5o8hZi7O6wNX38KnR3cRj6l1ruG5lQmBfUNDZ%2FvfM%2FZtjQJ9XNK6Um4Keh5%2B%2BPGGHL0JAhFbLveaycKUuupKZse5ZqkQtXeGNqTo5WroEYP2%2BEyaJA1OUwHU%2FNww%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8yavpeWZQ