Prewar70 Posted May 11 Report Posted May 11 Interesting story. We had a birthday party at our home this Saturday, and a family member was in my workshop and noticed a sword of mine. As we were talking about it he said he had a collection of tsubas and was wondering what he had and what to do with them. His parents, years ago like in the 50s or 60s bought a home. I know, get's your heart pumping as you know where this is going. They were cleaning out the basement and found a group of swords along with the tsubas. His brother has the swords, and he got the tsubas. He sent me pictures this morning. I'm looking for guidance to pass along to him. You can feel free to message me. I think he wants to sell them because he's had them for a long time and has never known how to approach doing anything with them. Is there anything that jumps out at you as "this could be worth something?" As a group if someone wanted to put a ballpark price on them that would be helpful. Fun story, and looks like some interesting ones for sure. Thanks for your help. And if there's anything in particular you'd like to see better images of let me know and I'll see what I can do. Thanks. 1 2 Quote
MauroP Posted May 11 Report Posted May 11 Many interesting pieces here and none, as far I can see, is rubbish (which is a notable in a collection)... 2 1 Quote
Deez77 Posted May 11 Report Posted May 11 What a great story. Thanks for sharing. Folks here can certainly provide a lot of information if you can provide clear enough photos (front and back of each piece). They don't have to be huge in size, but clear enough to see the details and any signatures. This one here is somewhat similar to one hanging on the yellow board. I'm 99% sure that one has a signature. Another dragon one I saw is a typical cast piece, probably with the same maker's name. Regards Damon 1 Quote
Brian Posted May 11 Report Posted May 11 Some interesting ones. That cloisonné one would do well on an auction, international bidders seem to like them. 4 Quote
Matsunoki Posted May 11 Report Posted May 11 Evaluating 60 tsuba quickly en mass is a bit tricky! Many have condition issues (rust and de-patination etc) and the images might mislead (in both directions) but if you took an average of $150 each that gives you an idea. Sale at auction would obviously take a large slice out of that. Just my opinion, other views will be interesting and educational. The cloisonne one that Brian mentions looks Meiji period from a decent cloisonne katana koshirae. 1 Quote
Spartancrest Posted May 11 Report Posted May 11 I did spot one cast copy and possibly two guards made for replica tachi mounts. The rest are looking OK and there are one or two I would like myself! Just a suggestion, but as we are really just temporary custodians of these things - any thought of donating them to a local museum? Along with the story of how they were found would add local value to them and keep them together. [Like I say just a suggestion] 4 1 Quote
Grey Doffin Posted May 12 Report Posted May 12 Sorry Dale but I have to strongly disagree; donating to a museum, local or otherwise, is a terrible idea. If donated the tsuba might be put on display for a short time but then will be relegated to the basement where they will rot away. If the collection is important and the museum has a serious interest in and knowledge of Nihont, that's another story but common stuff and a common museum is a recipe for ruin. Tsuba and all other Nihonto art are best kept by collectors who appreciate and know how to preserve them. Grey 6 5 1 Quote
Mark Posted May 12 Report Posted May 12 James not sure where in MN you are located but Grey lives in northern MN, he knows tsuba well and buys and sells collections regularly (note he is my partner so i am biased) mark Quote
eternal_newbie Posted May 12 Report Posted May 12 1 hour ago, Grey Doffin said: If the collection is important and the museum has a serious interest in and knowledge of Nihonto, that's another story but common stuff and a common museum is a recipe for ruin. Unfortunately true even in Japan. Many of the museums mean well, but they simply don't have the budget to hire an expert to take care of each of their various categories of exhibits, especially when said exhibits may spend the better part of the year sitting in a basement or warehouse instead of bringing in visitors and funds. 3 Quote
Curran Posted May 12 Report Posted May 12 52 minutes ago, eternal_newbie said: Unfortunately true even in Japan. Many of the museums mean well, but they simply don't have the budget to hire an expert to take care of each of their various categories of exhibits, especially when said exhibits may spend the better part of the year sitting in a basement or warehouse instead of bringing in visitors and funds. Yep. Many a university museum has trays and drawers of tsuba sitting in the shadows. I won't say which Ivy League university, but one of them has quite the sea of tsuba tucked away in a basement. 1 Quote
Rivkin Posted May 12 Report Posted May 12 I used to believe in donating items to museums when convinced its one of a kind, unique artefact whose loss would severely affect our understanding of the subject. Anything below this level frankly should not be even considered. And even this being said - my experience is to postpone donation until the very last moment. Because there is always a chance somebody will start building a collection dedicated specifically to such subject and you already donated the crown jewel of it to a place which simply keeps it in storage. 1 Quote
Spartancrest Posted May 13 Report Posted May 13 Well I got you all talking! Heck it was just a suggestion - I would like to buy a few of them myself! Not that that would be any guarantee they would survive forever. What is the consensus of splitting up collections? They never "go back together again" do they? + Curran - do you want me to name the prestigious Universities and Museums? There is a long list! 2 Quote
Spartancrest Posted May 13 Report Posted May 13 A similar cloisonne guard selling at auction now : https://www.jauce.com/auction/x1229777805 starting at 150,000 yen. By the time fees are added in - this is approaching $1,000 USD 2 Quote
Prewar70 Posted May 13 Author Report Posted May 13 Interesting, thank you for that information. Is there anything here that looks older the Edo? I reminded him about pics of the other side and better quality, hoping he gets to it soon. Quote
Curran Posted May 13 Report Posted May 13 14 hours ago, Spartancrest said: Curran - do you want me to name the prestigious Universities and Museums? There is a long list! I know. Can you take me back to the 20th Century, when I still had belief and faith in institutions of learning and of government? 4 Quote
Spartancrest Posted May 14 Report Posted May 14 7 hours ago, Curran said: take me back to the 20th Century All aboard ! 1 Quote
Curran Posted May 14 Report Posted May 14 1 hour ago, Spartancrest said: All aboard ! Oh baby, I'm SO up for a ride on the TARDIS. Bring back Prince and let us party like it is 1999. Alright- enough thread hijack here. My apologies. Others please help the OP at your discretion. 1 Quote
Jake6500 Posted May 17 Report Posted May 17 That Cloisonne tsuba is pretty high quality. You can find late Edo Nagasaki shippo pieces of lesser quality and they're nothing special, but the one you posted is perhaps one of the best I've seen! 2 Quote
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