Tsuba Identification, Owari?

[Kagemusha]

Hello gentlemen,

 

I would be glad to get help in this tsuba.

 

Diameter is 7,3 to 7,4 cm, thickness is roughly 0,5cm.

The design looks owari style, but is it ordinary to find kanji on it?

 

 

I'm not sure with the concept of tekkotsu, would you call this tekkotsu?

 

 

Thank you in advance for any help and thought about it.

[Marius]

Hi,

 

yes, this looks like tekkotsu. Some info here: http://www.shibuiswords.com/early%20iron%20sukashi%20tsuba.htm

 

Is it Owari? Possibly. However, the awkward composition makes me think 19th century revival work (made to look like older and highly valued Owari).

 

Very hard to say, also because the tsuba has lost its patina. The holes in the seppa dai look like this tsuba was nailed to something (furniture?) as decoration.

[Pete Klein]

Marius -- one little point, please.  The holes were drilled and counter sunk, therefore, the tsuba was not nailed, it was screwed...  !

[Henry Wilson]

That makes my weary eyes weep. Looks like it could have been a nice tsuba once. If it is the real thing. The characters seem to be 大古.

[Marius]

@Pete

 

You are right. This tsuba has been screwed   

 

Actually, more like... 

[Alan Morton]

I have one with holes like that the Tsuba was a base for a candle stick and the three feet where on the bottom of the Tsuba

Alan

[Kagemusha]

Hi,

 

Thx for your answers, Marius thx for the link.

 

So tekkotsu could also appear on these 19th century revival style tsuba?

 

About the holes, what is fun is that this tsuba was sold as a lock ornament. Maybe it has actually be found on a furniture like you suggest it (nailed or screwed =) ).

 

Even if this tsuba looks darker in real than on pictures, it probably has been brushed or cleaned at some point. About this, I need your "purist" point of view:

would it be acceptable to wax it with black wax (the same as for shoes)?

This is what I usually do for old wrought iron pieces (antique tools, candlesticks etc), what makes a nice finish, and allows to restore a bit of a lost patina.

What about on a tsuba?