Catawiki strikes again, new highly trained expert, expect nice blades to surface /s

[sebastian33]

So Patrice Sabbah, as he promised, left Catawiki

Let's see who they brought in instead to appraise blades:

 

Behold Julien Gauthier !

"expert in African Art" "holds fine arts degrees, 15 years as photographer and photo editor in contemporary literature and photobooks"

That is all we can find about him on Catawiki site, no link, no other info. Anyone from Catawiki's staff who is constantly browsing this sub could explain what photography/photo editing/ african art has got to do with the complex domain of nihonto appraisals?

 

 

[Ray Singer]

Julien is a friend and knowledgeable in our area of study. The bio above is not very comprehensive, and his background is broader than what is indicated there. 

[sebastian33]

Could be but I found zero material on the internet connecting him and blades. That and Catawiki's reputation, you can imagine.

There.s no other info on Catawiki about him. To me this is very suspicious. And the short description is highly inapropiate. What.s African art and photography and graphic design got to do with blades?

Also, maybe I.m biased but I don.t trust anyone who excels in so many areas, the age of universal leonardinian experts has passed, we do micro specialisation nowdays

Edited July 20 by sebastian33
Incomplete

[Julien16]

Hi Sebastian and Ray. 

Thank you Ray for the comment. 

I am Julien, Patrice's successor (whom I know well). 

I do not know where that description come from, it is most likely a bug... ! As an introduction, I am a french dealer and expert in Oriental and Asian weapons (registered in a french expert chamber...). Nihonto are not my primary speciality but I do have knowledge in the field and I am working on it with zeal (but yet... I will never tell you I have the knowledge of Ray). I also work in African art, that is right. Anyway, if you have any question, feel free to contact me, and Sebastian, if you ever more details, do not hesitate to send me a PM ! 

Enjoy your day, 

Julien

 

[sebastian33]

hi Julien, sorry but at a first search on google I could not find anything connecting you and nihonto. 

The info comes from CW site as you can see in the screenshots. I do not know you indeed and what stroke a bad vibe was the complete unrelatedness of biography with the Japanese blades area of expertise. It could be Catawiki's fault here in which case just deal with them. You can surely see why such a biography description under your name triggered the reaction. Here's another screenshot:

 

I understand this is just a job for you but my honest advice, given the terrible reputation of Catawiki in just about any collectibles area, try to distance yourself from this name, maybe talk to Patrice and see why he left.

 

[sebastian33]

And I do have a question, is it true that Catawiki tells you guys to try anything possible and even refuse items if the seller does not agree to a no reserve price or a very very low reserve?

And another question is : how many items do you have to review on a weekly basis and is this number affecting the quality of appraisals?

[Julien16]

Thank you for your response and the screenshot. 

I think this is most likely a bug on the platform. I will advise them. 

 

 

[Karu]

Hi Julien, 

Can I ask how you did estimate this fake Yasunobu as a real one ? 6k€ for a chinese fake ? 

https://www.catawiki.com/fr/l/95650532-katana-gendaito-handachi-yasunobu-334k8-showa-16e-1941-tokyo-japon 

Im not trying to be rude just asking. 

[Rawa]

Yeah I posted it here 

[Brian]

Calm down folks. Julien is nice enough to to engage here, that is more than many are willing to do, and the fact that Ray vouches for him says a lot in my mind.
This isn't a witch hunt. Let's be polite, and maybe if you have questions, direct message or email is best. If you choose to post here, I'll be watching for rudeness or confrontation. I prefer dealers/sellers feel welcome enough to post here.
Thanks for posting Julien and all the best.

[ROKUJURO]

I am not familiar with CATAWIKI and its experts, but if it was really such a bad and incompetent place, why not just ignore them and buy elsewhere? Verbally beating a co-worker for his employer is pointless in my opinion.

 

[Jussi Ekholm]

I think the Catawiki website uses very tricky wording, and that it makes it seem like Julien has personally chosen the items, while I believe they are just from various sellers. So it is confusing as for example in OP sword the seller itself is an antique dealer. The sword in OP is from Kyodai Originals

https://kyodaioriginals.nl/product/katana-by-echizen-ju-hyuga-fujiwara-sadakuni-ca-1664-nbthk-hozon-certified/

 

 

[Kantaro]

I personally do not like Catawiki and would never advice it to anyone...

[Julien16]

Dear all, 

thank you for all the comments. 
I can assure you of this, if you notice something that you think should be flagged, please do not hesitate to reach out directly through the website. 
I am making myself available and do respond/act quickly. 
I wish you all the best

[Karu]

You are a great professional Julien. 

Thank you for this 

[Nihonto student]

Frankly, I still think that being a Catawiki appraiser is an extremely uncomfortable position from which I would be far away , and that the appraiser has nothing to do with appraisal but is only required to give an opinion on authenticity.

Based on this, if we think that one of the first things that are explained in this world is that a blade must be seen to be evaluated we already have a paradox...certainly the experience counts so I sincerely ask you, dealers, enthusiasts, collectors (Although I prefer keepers)  how much would you rate the Sadayuki posted by Sebastian based only on photos?
Personally the valuation 10,500 - 13,000 + fees + shipping is totally crazy for me, even relating it to the European market which tends to be more expensive.

Personally if I had to make an assessment on paper I would rate it less than half... but I am curious to hear the opinion of those who know more than me.

However, I remain of the idea that the strategy of Catawiki is aimed at the protection of the seller unlike other platforms more equitable , this strategy is based on a solid point that is if the seller is better protected and if the seller earns more will have more incentive to sell through Catawiki than other platforms, this allows the platform to increase the items offer,  the increase in the audience of buyers becomes a consequence...their main target of engagement are the sellers not the buyers because simply: + items offer means + items sold = higher commissions.

The expert’s evaluation then plays a fundamental role in giving security to the buyer with respect to the perception of value, especially in a mass culture now addicted to reviews.

 

Giordy