Various Nanban Tsuba.
Edo
period.
The above examples are of various styles of Nanban tsuba.
Can you tell which are CAST and which are not?
The ease with which casting can be identified depends upon the amount of hand finishing which was utilised afterwards. Many collectors will justify the casting of Nanban tsuba as being expected because of their poor quality.
I tend to believe that the tendency to discount Nanban tsuba is based upon their general poor quality of design and production rather than the fact that they are cast.
The fact that they are 'lost wax' cast would explain their general value discount when compared to most similar hand-chiseled pieces.