Tsuba Question from Bavaria, Germany

[Christopher]

Thank you for your time. I do not want to make assumptions, but I was hoping you could tell me a little about my Tsuba. I do not know how to authenticate such an item, much less estimate value or determine its provenance. However, it really has no place among my collectibles, and I would like to ensure it finds its way to a place where it can be appreciated. It is a beautifully crafted Tsuba and I would like for it to have a befitting home. I am not asking for an estimate. Rather, I am trying to determine if it should ultimately belong to an enthusiast, a collector, or a museum.

 

I do appreciate everyone's time very much. Thank you.

 

Christopher

[Bazza]

With great respect to the poster, I only answer the question as I see it.  No disrespect intended at all.

 

Here goes the head in the noose!!!  Not Japanese??  Cast??  Over-cleaned.  The kozuka hitsu is oddly shaped IMHO, but don't know what that means...

 

BaZZa, who plainly knows little about tsuba.

[Hokke]

To me it looks like a casting. The copper finish on the raised elements seems to be a plating or coating, as there are multiple areas where it has transferred onto the base surface. As Bazza mentioned the hitsu are poorly shaped and the fukurin is inconsistent in width and thickness. Not sure if the surface texture is supposed to nanako or ishime, but either way it looks inconsistent as well.

 

 

[ROKUJURO]

Looks like a souvenir item to me. I cannot imagine it in a collection or museum.

[Tim Evans]

To me it looks like:

• Mid to Late Edo period Kinko
• Copper inlays on brass plate
• Unfortunately it has been cleaned using silver polish (these are the white deposits in the crevices) which removed the desirable oxides -  the brass should be a buttery brown color and the copper should be dark brown or black
• There is one bit of inlay missing on the front
• So, yes an authentic antique tsuba, but it needs restoration. Not much value here, a project piece.