Thai "katana"

mariusgmioc · 21st October 2016, 02:45 PM

With or without provenance, this is exactly what it is: a very poor quality and purely decorative attempt to copy a Japanese Katana. In other words, A FAKE. I even doubt that it can hold an edge as it is quite obvious from the photos the "edge" is about 2 mm thick...

Moreover, I doubt even the origin. While it appears to be well documented, it wouldn't be unfathomable that at a certain point in time the original sword was replaced with this pathetic attempt of a sword while the pedigree remained attached from the previous one, like Ariel suggested.

However, even if it were the original one, would the simple fact that it was presented as a gift to a president make it more valuable?! I personally don't think so. Only maybe from a historical perspective.

Dubito, ergo cogito!

PS: It wouldn't be for the first time when a museum is dead wrong about something.

Bob A · 21st October 2016, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Moreover, I doubt even the origin. While it appears to be well documented, it wouldn't be unfathomable that at a certain point in time the original sword was replaced with this pathetic attempt of a sword while the pedigree remained attached from the previous one, like Ariel suggested.

My first thought was also of a swap-out by a bent curator/collector. There are few forces more irresistible than the madness which infects collectors. P.G.Wodehouse, for one, has documented this trait in several of his more enjoyable novels.

Battara · 21st October 2016, 10:20 PM

The pamor also looks like that used by Paul Chen in his Japanese reproductions.

21st October 2016, 02:45 PM	#1
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,912	With or without provenance, this is exactly what it is: a very poor quality and purely decorative attempt to copy a Japanese Katana. In other words, A FAKE. I even doubt that it can hold an edge as it is quite obvious from the photos the "edge" is about 2 mm thick... Moreover, I doubt even the origin. While it appears to be well documented, it wouldn't be unfathomable that at a certain point in time the original sword was replaced with this pathetic attempt of a sword while the pedigree remained attached from the previous one, like Ariel suggested. However, even if it were the original one, would the simple fact that it was presented as a gift to a president make it more valuable?! I personally don't think so. Only maybe from a historical perspective. Dubito, ergo cogito! PS: It wouldn't be for the first time when a museum is dead wrong about something. Last edited by mariusgmioc; 21st October 2016 at 08:35 PM.

21st October 2016, 10:20 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	The pamor also looks like that used by Paul Chen in his Japanese reproductions.