Chapter 52: Curious Treasures
Don’t mention it, Kang Shude’s prediction was really right.
Those two scrolls are indeed no ordinary things.
A piece of Shen Zhou's "Routing Script Poems" and a piece of Shi Tao's "Goldfish" are both treasures.
It’s just a pity that it’s too old, or maybe it’s not well kept.
Both calligraphy and paintings are somewhat damaged, and the texture is a bit "wounded".
Not only is the texture of the calligraphy and painting crisp, but the outermost layer is also a bit "frosty" in some places.
The old man unfolded it and watched it for half an hour, and then closed it again with great distress, for fear of further damage.
However, although these two calligraphy and paintings are precious, they have to be ranked second when it comes to the most valuable things obtained on this day.
Ning Weimin never expected that the real leader would be the most inconspicuous white porcelain bowl among the three pieces of porcelain.
This bowl looks white and dirty, and it doesn't reveal much detail and preciousness.
It has neither the classical beauty of the blue and white plum vase nor the glossy beauty of another Longquan celadon plate from the Ming Dynasty.
The only special thing is that there are concave and convex patterns in the bowl that are not clearly visible, and the word "Privy" is also inconspicuous.
These two inscriptions are also printed under the edge of the inner wall of the bowl. The positions of "hub" and "fu" are far opposite each other, one in the south and one in the north.
If Kang Shude hadn’t pointed it out, Ning Weimin would have missed it.
No wonder the seller didn't take it seriously from the beginning.
In fact, Ning Weimin was the same. From his perspective at this time, he really felt that this bowl was the most suitable vessel to cover the mouth of the pickle jar. He couldn't see how it was good.
But it is precisely this bowl that fits the word "restrained" that Kang Shude once said.
Even Ning Weimin himself had to admit it.
When Kang Shude placed the bowl among a pile of porcelain, the thing looked more dignified and stable.
It's obviously nothing, but it has a deep temperament that can overwhelm everything.
It will naturally become the visual center of the viewer and attract attention.
At first, he thought this feeling was caused by the pure color of the bowl.
Because other utensils have patterns and colors, this bowl is white among the colorful ones, so it naturally stands out.
Unexpectedly, the old man found a bunch of daily cups, plates, bowls and chopsticks at home.
All kinds of white furniture are placed next to the bowl, but it still gives people this feeling.
This undoubtedly proves that Ning Weimin's idea is completely wrong.
The only explanation is that this bowl is particularly attractive.
It was also at this point that Kang Shude explained to Ning Weimin what was going on with this bowl.
Looking at this bowl with his own eyes, it is characterized by small feet, thick body, devitrification of plain glaze, and bluish-white color.
It reminds me of the sentence "Ancient Rao Utensils" in Cao Zhao's "Ge Gu Yao Lun" of the Ming Dynasty, "Those who burnt small-foot prints in the Yuan Dynasty, those with the word "Privacy" in them are higher."
In addition, he found the sunken patterns and inscriptions.
Thus, it is inferred that this bowl should be a custom-fired vessel made for the "Privy Council" by Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan Dynasty, who set up the Fuliang Porcelain Bureau in Jingdezhen.
The old man also told Ning Weimin that the Privy Porcelain of the Yuan Dynasty was about two hundred years later than the Tuding porcelain of the Song Dynasty.
But whether in terms of quality or historical value, Privy Porcelain far surpasses Tuding. The two are incomparable.
Because the "Privy Council" was originally the first-level administrative agency of the Tang Dynasty.
After the Song Dynasty, the Privy Council was renamed the Privy Council, the highest military organ in the central government.
Since the Yuan Dynasty focused on force, naturally the "Privy Council" had a higher position.
Considering that the Yuan Dynasty was only a hundred years old, the number of firings during this period was extremely limited, and even fewer had inscriptions. ‘
Although similar bowls were fired in later generations, the style has changed and the glaze is no longer moist.
There is no doubt that these rare Yuan Dynasty "private porcelain" has become a masterpiece.
Besides, the texture of this bowl is not the ordinary lotus pattern, but a cloud and dragon pattern.
This further proves that it is a special artifact for people with prominent official positions in the Privy Council, and it is the best of the best.
Not only is its value no worse than the bronze knight turned over to the country.
From the perspective of rare things being more valuable, it is even worse.
It can really surpass everything I got back today.
Finally figured out the ins and outs of Xiaowan, Ning Weimin's heart felt like the blue sky in June.
Clear and thorough, it even feels like waking up from a big dream.
When he looked at the bowl again, his eyes had become very solemn, and he felt the complexity of history.
Don’t even talk about him, even Kang Shude himself couldn’t put it down.
In the words of the old man, many collectors may not be able to find such rare treasures in their lifetime.
This thing is no more taboo than bronze.
As long as you understand the master, no one will let go.
He also set a rule for Ning Weimin, saying that from now on Ning Weimin could only look at it but not touch it.
Look, where has this come to?
But this is not all the harvest today. Don’t forget the background of the times. These days, there are no modern imitations.
Even in Kang Shude's words, what is left is those "bad things" and things that are "not things".
That was also a "fake big name" used to cater to the arty needs of warlords during the Republic of China and give appearance to the nouveau riche.
Twenty years later, it will definitely be worth hundreds of thousands.
Therefore, from the perspective of preserving value, Ning Weimin collected these items in a serious manner, just like saving gold.
The reason he gave Kang Shude was that he should observe and study carefully and look for mistakes.
Opening your mouth to lie not only hides your greedy temperament, but also makes you look more like a coward.
The old man was naturally very happy and went to work happily, leaving him alone at home to watch it.
As for what to do with these things in the end?
This was the topic that the master and apprentice were going to discuss that night, sitting around a table of good wine and delicious food.
Let’s talk about Kang Shude’s original intention of taking Ning Weimin to the ghost market.
Originally, the purpose was to acquire two valuable items and then sell them quickly to get some funds for Ning Weimin’s tuition.
From now on, the old man plans to let Ning Weimin wander around the ghost market every day.
I just want Ning Weimin to buy it if he feels he understands it or is interested.
Buying the right one is of course a good thing.
It doesn’t matter even if you buy the wrong thing and lose money.
Because the main purpose is to let Ning Weimin open his eyes and learn more.
In the old man’s opinion, true skills must be developed in this way.
No matter how much you talk, your ears will be empty.
I have never seen it with my own eyes or touched it with my own hands.
Only when a person has suffered a loss and suffered pain will he remember the lesson for a lifetime.
People only like to ponder things that interest them.
So the old man expressed his willingness to let Ning Weimin explore the categories he was interested in, so as to lead him in.
Even if the old man accompanies him again, he will not give on-site guidance to Ning Weimin.
But when I look back, I will definitely tell Ning Weimin what he did wrong and why.
As a disciple, Ning Weimin was quite touched by his master's idea.
At the same time, I also found it very interesting and challenging. I was really gearing up and excited.
No matter how you talk about it, both the prospects and the financial situation are indeed much better than him flipping the tropical fish.
But he was the only one who couldn't let go of those things for a while.
I feel that even if the Privy Porcelain is not included, the other two pieces of porcelain and calligraphy and painting are also rare and rare treasures.
The future value will be at least tens of millions, and it would be a huge loss to sell it now.
No matter which choice he made, he felt pain in his heart.
Fortunately, the master is the master, and Kang Shude is a successful person, so he told him directly.
I definitely have to sell the paintings and calligraphy. There is no need to choose or discuss.
The reason is that preserving calligraphy and painting requires preservation conditions, and their residences do not currently have such a foundation.
A wealthy family like that one almost ruined these two things.
These two paintings and calligraphy have actually reached a critical point.
Rather than holding it in their own hands and letting the calligraphy and painting become moldy and damaged, it is better to sell it to the country.
This not only allows these two things to be properly kept, but also achieves their own purposes.
This is a method that is more suitable for both the country and individuals and complements each other.
After hearing these words, Ning Weimin understood what his master was thinking.
He had to admit that what the old man said was reasonable, and he couldn't help but admire the old man's profound strategy.
After all, he is a real expert, an old man who does big business, and his thinking is a step ahead of the small boss like him.
But his own greed and reluctance may actually delay the two treasures in his hands and completely turn them into waste.
So what else can we do if we don’t sell it?
Sell!
What’s interesting is that, thanks to this sale, he discovered another vast world.
Not only did I not feel that I had made a loss on the sale, I actually felt that I had gained value from the sale.
Because unintentionally, this proved what the old man warned him.
People must be diligent!
Don’t look at it just to sell paintings. He walked a few more steps, but he saw the infinite scenery.
(Note 1: Wounded is a term used in calligraphy and painting jargon, which refers to the texture of calligraphy and painting being damaged due to insect infestation, moisture or external friction. If the ground is damaged, it is called "broken" or "missing".)
(Note 2: Blooming is a term used in calligraphy and painting, which refers to mold due to moisture)
(End of this chapter)