Condition Issues?

[Mantis dude]

HI all,

 

I was browsing and came across this tsuba.  Am I correctly seeing this as being cleaned and/or the patina has been removed?  If so, would it be worth it to fix (by a professional not me  ?).  Thanks for opinions.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Edo-Period-Mantis-Sukashi-TSUBA-Sword-Katana-Daito-Wakizashi-Koshirae/323558119024?hash=item4b55911670:g:cD8AAOSwdzhcBcIr:rk:32:pf:0

[Grey Doffin]

Hard to tell if cleaned or just the seller's photos.  Price seems high and postage is worse.

Grey

[TETSUGENDO]

Hi Ken,

 

It looks like the original surface is more or less gone, the price as Grey noted seems on the high side.  If you figure in the cost of repatination by a competent hand, and postage, you'll be nearing or exceeding the $700 mark.  Your call!

 

-S-  

[Mantis dude]

Grey & Steve,

 

I appreciate both your inputs. To be truthful, I had no plans to bid on the ebay auction. I too thought price was high. As Grey stated it was hard to tell if it was the pics or the condition, hence my post. Also after posting, I realized that eBaY has a contact option so I am waiting for a reply.

 

 

I also have little experience with repatination, so I was curious what others would say. I remember the dilemma when I was collecting swords, when is restoration worth it? And while some who work in the area might say always (haha), it's always good to have input-from knowledgeable people that is (had to add last part in light of the new social media world). Thanks again

Ken

[Brian Ayres]

This one would be great to use as as the basis for an utsushi commission by Kevin Adams.

[Blazeaglory]

I've been watching this seller for a while now and I have a feeling many of his/her Tsuba are possibly reproduction. Also, if you notice his feedback, you can see that some high price sales usually get a reply of "out of stock" or "already sold", so who knows if he/she actually has the items to begin with, and the prices are way too high on most of the items anyways.

 

But really, they could be a decent seller and I could be totally wrong but I try to avoid certain sellers with "red flags" such as this.

 

Did you ever get a response ?

[Mantis dude]

Nope never got a response which to me is a response. I think the seller like many other Japanese sellers list the same item on multiple auction sites. So it wouldn't surprise me that items are already sold. Of course gaigen listing prices are almost always higher.

 

As I used to say: "hey let's be careful out there" it applies to collecting as well as on Hill Street Blues.

 

Happy holidays to all.

[Soshin]

Hard to tell if cleaned or just the seller's photos.  Price seems high and postage is worse.

Grey

 

Hi Ken the Matis Dude,

 

I would need to agree with Grey and others.  The photos look very strange and it really hard to tell anything from them directly.  I would stay away even if considering a restoration project.

[TETSUGENDO]

Ken,

 

I agree with Brian about commissioning Kevin Adams, whatever he comes up with should be spectacular, his work is so elegant and refined.......it would make a great addition to your Mantis collection.

 

-S-