Chapter 21 Being a Guest
Uncle De told everyone that rhinoceros horn cups that follow the shape, are simple and clear, and have vigorous carving are generally older, mostly before the late Ming Dynasty.
Most of the cups with creative concepts and detailed carvings are from the early Qing Dynasty; those with complex layouts and heavy craftsmanship are mostly from the Qianlong period; and those with complex carvings are mostly from the late Qing Dynasty.
"Very good, the cup is very good. If an object from the Ming Dynasty is put at auction, it should fetch a high price of more than 650,000 yuan. Xiao Lin! How about you transfer it to me? I will pay 620,000 yuan." Uncle De said. .
Generally speaking, the price of a rhinoceros horn cup depends on three factors. The first is size, shape, and coating. Those with a length of 16 cm or more are large. The Cha style is the most expensive. Flower-themed ones must show natural beauty, and antique-themed ones must be regular. , the patina should be simple and oily at the top, and dry at the bottom.
Henry couldn't help but mutter: "Since I can get 650,000 yuan, why should I give you 620,000 yuan?"
Although it was muttered, everyone heard it.
Everyone knew that Henry was speaking for Lin Yuan and did not want to see Lin Yuan suffer.
Uncle De was dumbfounded and explained: "First of all, the auction may waste a lot of time; secondly, the $650,000 includes commission. Excluding the commission, it may not be 620,000!"
Henry reacted and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
Lin Yuan patted Henry on the shoulder, cast a grateful look, and then said to Uncle De: "Then just do what Uncle De said!"
He finally discovered the little details of the treasure hunt.
The same color is displayed, but the depth is different, and the value represented is also different. The darker the color, the closer the value of the treasure is to the highest value.
After discovering this, Lin Yuan felt that his valuation of treasures would be more accurate in the future.
Finally, the old uncle asked Uncle De to see the silverware.
In fact, it is just a cup, which looks extremely luxurious.
"This should be a relatively late silver cup, from after the 17th century." Uncle De said after taking a few glances.
Henry was confused, could anyone really be so powerful? Just look at it and you'll know when it is.
"What do you think?" Foreigners are more straightforward and say whatever is on their mind.
Uncle De smiled and said: "Most of the Western silverware that can be easily collected through price comparison are products from the 17th century or later. Early products are very rare and can only be seen in some famous churches. Most of them are daily necessities, focusing on practicality. , no gorgeous appearance and exquisite decoration.
The emphasis on decoration on silverware began with Charles II of England, who hired craftsmen from continental Europe to make silverware with shapes and decorations such as leaves, flowers, and fruits. ”
"Could it be modern?"
Henry thinks that with today's technology, it's not difficult to make one exactly the same, right?
He heard that current 3D printing can be 100% consistent without any difference.
At this time, the old uncle spoke.
"It can be made exactly the same, but some things cannot be imitated, such as patina."
Patching is a professional term in the antiques industry, which refers to the oxide layer formed on the surface of cultural relics due to long-term oxidation.
In the eyes of some people, "patina" actually means "gloss". After a long period of time, ancient artifacts develop such a natural luster on their surfaces.
Porcelain, woodware, jade, bronze, ivory carvings, antiques, calligraphy, painting, stele rubbings, etc. all have patina.
Since it supports time, the older something is, the thicker the coating will be.
For example, a newly purchased bamboo mat, no matter how smooth it is polished, is not patinated, but the bamboo mat that my grandfather and grandma slept on for fifty years has a bright red patina.
Henry naturally didn't understand what patina was and looked confused.
Lin Yuan simply explained: "It is a surface crust gradually formed over the years due to dust, sweat, stains from the hands of players, soil and water, long-term rubbing, and even the passage of rays in the air. .”
With that said, Henry probably understood. They were speaking in Chinese. Paul seemed a little embarrassed and couldn't understand anything. When he saw others laughing, he could only laugh awkwardly.
"Uncle De, can you accept this silver cup?" the old uncle asked.
Uncle De nodded slightly: "260,000 US dollars."
Whether it is Chinese silverware or Western silverware, it has always been very popular in the market.
Some well-known auction companies, such as Sotheby's and Christie's, hold special silverware auctions every year, and the auctions are all the best in silverware. These auction items have extremely high collection, research, appreciation and economic value.
It is impossible for Uncle De not to accept such a popular collection.
Lin Yuan "looked" at the color of the light spots on the treasure hunter and estimated that the actual value of the silver cup was around US$300,000.
It wasn't much different, so he nodded in agreement.
After all, Lin Yuan and his old uncle earn a million dollars a day. Many people in the live broadcast room are only envious, not jealous.
When other people's income is so huge that they can only look up to it, they can no longer be jealous.
You will be jealous of the people around you whose salary is several times or even dozens of times that of yours, but will you be jealous of the super-rich people like Ma Ge who earn at least a small goal every day?
Check out the 16-9 book bar and see the correct version!
After leaving Uncle De's antique shop, Henry wanted to invite Lin Yuan and his uncle to visit his home.
His Chinese classmates once told him that when you meet a powerful person, you should know how to embrace them, which can save you decades of struggle.
"Paul, are you coming too?"
Paul nodded. He came into society earlier than Henry and knew how to seize opportunities better. Like today, he earned $40,000 in one morning.
To be honest, if allowed, he would also like to hang out with this Chinese.
"OK! Fine!"
Henry called his mother and asked the family to prepare more ingredients. He wanted to entertain the distinguished guests.
On the way, Lin Yuan and his uncle bought some fruits, a box of Chinese tea, a folding fan, two silk scarves, and a panda doll.
Chinese people don’t have the habit of coming to eat with empty hands.
My uncle has lived here for so many years and knows the preferences of these foreigners. They may not like some expensive luxury goods, but they like Chinese porcelain, tea, folding fans, silk scarves, and things related to pandas.
Henry also has two younger sisters in his family, both of whom are still young and currently attending middle school.
It has to be said that white women develop early. Lin Yuan believed them even if they were college students.
The two sisters learned that their eldest brother had made money and pestered Henry for pocket money. Henry had to take out all the cash in his wallet and let them divide it among themselves.
In order to be polite, Lin Yuan and his uncle both switched languages and spoke English.
Henry's parents were very enthusiastic about Lin Yuan's arrival.
Because their son had studied in China, they already had a good impression of China and Chinese people. In addition, they already knew that Lin Yuan had helped Henry earn tens of thousands of dollars today. How could they not be enthusiastic?
Henry's father and his old uncle got into a lively chat, and it was a long time before they met.
Henry's mother took her two daughters to work in the kitchen.
(End of chapter)