Tsuba difference

[Freedomnasa]

I'd like to hear everyone's opinions about this tsuba (handguard). I recently acquired it and coincidentally found another similar one on eBay. The most noticeable difference is the level of detail.

Ref https://ebay.io/m/9dhuqv

[Spartancrest]

NO NO NO! Sorry Pown, these are always cast! 99% also have lost the face of the man - it was "glued" on and not truly inlaid. There are two sizes as well [The horses head is positioned slightly differently]. The difference in detail is because the moulds wear out - some were reworked but minimally 

   

 

Very rare "intact" version      

 

Don't feel too bad the Victoria & Albert Museum [V&A] also has one in its collection - so I guess you could say you have a "Museum Quality Tsuba"  https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O466167/tsuba/ or in reality even the biggest museums have little idea of the authenticity of their pieces.  Is it too late to send the thing back and ask for a refund?

[Freedomnasa]

29 minutes ago, Spartancrest said:

NO NO NO! Sorry Pown, these are always cast! 99% also have lost the face of the man - it was "glued" on and not truly inlaid. There are two sizes as well [The horses head is positioned slightly differently]. The difference in detail is because the moulds wear out - some were reworked but minimally 

   

 

Very rare "intact" version      

 

Don't feel too bad the Victoria & Albert Museum [V&A] also has one in its collection - so I guess you could say you have a "Museum Quality Tsuba"  https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O466167/tsuba/ or in reality even the biggest museums have little idea of the authenticity of their pieces.  Is it too late to send the thing back and ask for a refund?

Thank you very much Dale for your information.

Best regards 

Pown.

[Jesta]

3 hours ago, Spartancrest said:

Don't feel too bad the Victoria & Albert Museum [V&A] also has one in its collection - so I guess you could say you have a "Museum Quality Tsuba"  https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O466167/tsuba/ or in reality even the biggest museums have little idea of the authenticity of their pieces.  Is it too late to send the thing back and ask for a refund?

In defence of the V&A, it was not set up to house only original pieces. They have quite a few copies in their collection, largely because the idea was to show off arts from other cultures to inspire British industry. It doesn’t make it easier for the collector to learn what original versus copy looks like, but it is also not that surprising. 

[ROKUJURO]

6 hours ago, Spartancrest said:

.....Very rare "intact" version.....

Not even that one Dale!

It is missing his leg, arm, and hand "inlay".

These are 'old' cast TSUBA copies. I remember seeing them almost 50 years ago

[Spartancrest]

A cheap and the usual condition [nasty] on eBay now https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/307009738153

  The seller usually deals in very ordinary pieces but reasonable starting prices - it is not his fault there are people who want to pay too much!