Reborn Treasure Appraiser: I Really Didn’t Want to Be an Expert

Chapter 112 You Big Idiot

Many agate cups have been unearthed in China, but there is only one in the world that uses the color matching and blasting bead gilding techniques, and has such advanced hollowing technology: the Tang Dynasty gold-inlaid animal head agate cup.

It was discovered in the southern suburbs of Xijing in 1970 and later treasured in the Shaanxi Museum. It has never been exhibited, but only used for internal research. In 2002, it was included in the "Catalogue of Cultural Relics Prohibited from Exhibition Abroad".

Three years later, the year before last, it was loaned to the National Museum of China, where it was also treasured and kept for internal research. It wasn't publicly exhibited until 2014, as part of the "Silk Road Belt and Road" large-scale cultural relics exhibition.

At that time, Turkey proposed to purchase it for US$100 million but was rejected.

The reason why it is so expensive is not just because of its scarcity, but because of the craftsmanship: agate is extremely hard. With the technological level of the 9th and 10th centuries AD, the interior of the cup can be hollowed out and a flowing wine channel can be achieved, which is equivalent to rubbing a nuclear bomb by hand.

Secondly, the blasting and gilding of beads in the Tang Dynasty was definitely a cross-era composite technological innovation.

To put it bluntly: the gilding liquid must be heated to a high enough temperature to soften and dilute it sufficiently, ensuring that the less than 0.1 mm gold layer adheres evenly. Furthermore, the gold beads, which are no larger than 0.2 mm in diameter, must not deform due to the high temperature.

Isn’t it very contradictory?

If there is no contradiction, the value of this thing cannot be reflected. That is why it is recognized as "the pinnacle of ancient Chinese jade carving and gilding art."

If this is not a national treasure, what is?
Rather than believing that this was the second bottle outside the National Museum, or even that it was bought on the street, Lin Sicheng would rather believe that he was an alien.

So, it must be a replica.

But the strange thing is that the imitation is very similar?

The agate is okay. Although it is real agate, it has been dyed. The cup body and wine channel are both hollowed out with modern machines.

The key lies in the gilded cap on the sheep's mouth: it is not a decoration, but is exactly the same as the original one in the National Museum of China. You can pour wine into it by removing the golden stopper, and it can also be used as a wine jug.

Of course, although some modern chemical raw materials and scientific technologies are used, there is still some gap between it and the real blasting and gilding technology of the Tang Dynasty.

But the strange thing is: compared with the original, the proportions of this piece are almost one to one, whether in size, shape, or even the curvature.

This is strange: to be able to imitate it so closely, it would be impossible without studying it for two or three years. The question is: has the original never been exhibited publicly?
In an instant, Lin Sicheng made a rough judgment: he was a researcher from the National Museum of China or the Shaanxi Museum, and the latter was more likely.

After all, it has been kept in the Shaanxi Museum for thirty-five years, so there is enough time for research.

In a flash, Lin Sicheng turned around and looked at the gold bracelet: the craftsmanship was similar to that of the sheep's mouth plug, and rhenium was added to the gilding layer, so it must have been made by the same person.

incredible.

This kind of craftsmanship would be considered top-notch even if it were displayed in a provincial museum. The key is rhenium: the most effective method used by goldsmiths to verify the authenticity of gold is burning, including in 2025.

To know how to use this stuff to fake gold, and how it won't change color no matter how much you burn it, even if you are not a fighter jet researcher, you must be a materials scientist with a solid foundation.

Lin Sicheng secretly admired it and looked up: "Where did Teacher Bai buy it?"

"Bell Tower, Folk Customs Street!"

Wasn’t it the last time when Professor Wang, Ye Anning, and I met the White Horse girl?
He asked again: "How much did it cost?"

"Forty-two thousand!"

“Not expensive!”

It is really not expensive: just based on the fact that the cap is gilded in the exact same way as in ancient times, this thing is worth 42,000.

Lin Sicheng replied, and Bai Wan was stunned for a moment, and it took her a long time to react: "Is it fake too?"

"Of course!"

It’s really in the National Museum’s warehouse.

"The gilt layer of the sheep's mouth plug also uses rhenium, so it must be a replica. But its artistic value is extremely high, much higher than that gold bracelet. Of course, if Teacher Bai doesn't like it, you can return it!"

Bai Wan looked at Lin Sicheng with resentment: No matter how high it is, it is still a modern imitation, right?

As for retreating, it’s hard to say!

One look at her expression and Lin Sicheng guessed roughly: "When they introduced it to you, they would definitely say it was a work of art. When you asked about its origin, they would say they bought it from a second-hand market."

Bai Wan's eyes slowly widened, and her mouth opened a little: Cover your face, and make your voice sound older, just like the shop owner who sold her things. Because even the tone of voice is exactly the same.

She even wondered if Lin Sicheng had been fooled as well?
Lin Sicheng smiled and said: I have never been deceived, but I have experienced many similar tricks.

Let me put it back to my previous words: Boss, don’t worry, I will never cheat you… I bought it as a fake, and I’m selling it as a fake now. Just raise your hand and I’ll make a living.

Now: Boss, this is a handicraft, but it is made purely by hand, and the artistic value is definitely high enough, so the price cannot be lower.

To put it bluntly, it's all about the reverse psychology: because the imitation is too real, the more I tell you it's a fake, the less you believe it, and you insist on thinking it's a bargain.

This is why disputes involving antiques are so difficult to define, and even judicial authorities basically use the principles of "verbal agreement" and "buy and forget" to handle them.

And most of those who were fooled were people with a little bit of discernment, like the one in front of me...

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment and said, "Teacher Bai, can I ask what the name of the store is?"

"Sheng Tang Xuan!" Bai Wan was a little surprised, with a hint of self-mockery, "Do you want to be fooled too?"

of course not.

Lin Sicheng was just curious and wanted to learn more: with such advanced antique imitation craftsmanship, and even knowing how to use "rhenium" to enhance the imitation gold, it is impossible for him to be unknown.

Let me put it this way, if you take these two pieces to Panjiayuan, more than half of the experts will be impressed.

But he had stayed in Xijing for so long in his previous life, yet he had no recollection of it?
Just as I was secretly sighing, Li Zhen came in with a glass box in her hand containing two test strips.

One is lead acetate, which is black in color, indicating that the surface of the gold ring contains lead sulfide.

The other is a mercury bromide test paper, which is yellow in color, indicating that the aging solution contains not only sulfur but also mercury.

incredible?
I have never met anyone who specializes in dealing in fake goods, otherwise they would dare to spend millions to buy it even though they know it is fake: because most of the tombs of Tang Dynasty nobles were preserved with cinnabar, which contains both lead and mercury.

Therefore, these two test papers became irrefutable evidence: either she was a princess or a prince's burial object... He dared to ask for 10 million yuan for it.

Lin Sicheng became more and more curious about the person who made these two things.

He pushed the item forward and smiled again, "It's a replica, and it was made to look old using chemicals... If you can't return it, Teacher Bai can find a more authoritative institution to do the testing after returning to Beijing..."

Of course Bai Wan believed it. Just based on the two bowls on the table, she believed it 90%: the porcelain teacher of Prince Gong's Mansion could only make up for it to this extent.

Unfortunately, more than 60,000 yuan was wasted.

She said thank you, put away the two pieces of gold jewelry, and took out her wallet. Just as she was about to ask for the appraisal fee, her eyes lit up again: Yes, and the bowl?

When I walked in, I was still thinking: What a lucky guy. But when I heard that both pieces of gold jewelry were fake, I was so depressed that I actually forgot about it.
"Student Lin, that bowl is a Dehua white-glazed bowl, right?"

"Yes, Dehua lard white!"

really.

The woman's eyes lit up: "Sell it or not?"

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment: Of course I will sell it.

"But Mr. Bai, it's not fixed yet!"

Bai Wan was suddenly delighted: "Because it's not repaired properly... then it's a deal, I'll bring someone over to take a look tomorrow!"

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment: Are you really going to buy it?

This taste is quite unique.

Lin Sicheng nodded and was about to say "OK" when Ye Anning blinked at him.

"Teacher Bai, it's troublesome to run back and forth. Just take it back. If you like it, we can discuss it tomorrow. The appraisal fee will be included then!"

Bai Wan looked at Lin Sicheng: "Is it okay?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Of course!"

Although he didn't know what was going on, could Ye Anning still deceive him? Teacher Bai was very happy, and his depression was swept away. He felt that if he didn't pay the more than 60,000, how could he get this bowl?

After packing her things, Lin Sicheng and Ye Anning sent her to the school gate and called a taxi.

After getting in the car, she waved excitedly: "Assistant Ye, Classmate Lin, I'll let Lao Zhang see it when I get back..."

They both nodded in unison.

As the taxi drove away, Lin Sicheng looked puzzled: "Who is Lao Zhang?"

"Teacher Bai's lover works in the business department of Prince Gong's Mansion!"

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment: Prince Gong’s Mansion, directly under the Ministry of Culture?
The so-called business department is actually the collection department.

Suddenly, he remembered the two pieces of gold ornaments, and his eyelids twitched.

Ye Anning knew what he was thinking right away: "Teacher Bai bought those two pieces secretly, and her lover doesn't even know about it!"

Lin Sicheng let out a sigh: I was shocked.

In this way, Mr. Bai fits the category of "knowing a little, but not much, but having a strong addiction."

Lin Sicheng nodded: "If the relationship is good, then give some advice!"

"Don't worry, Teacher Bai is very smart!" Ye Anning smiled as she spoke. "Although I like to buy things, I basically authenticate them as soon as I buy them. If there are any problems, I will tell my family immediately..."

Lin Sicheng was stunned for a moment and gave a thumbs up: Really smart.

Once the seller heard that his lover was in Prince Gong’s Mansion, the probability of him not returning the property was very low.

That's why: she bought it because the bowl was not complete.

Because there is an essential difference between research restoration and commercial restoration: the former strives for authenticity, while the latter focuses on aesthetics.

For example, the restored porcelain in major museums is all glued together and filled with plaster, without any painting or glazing. This is the same principle.

In a flash, the two of them entered the school, and Lin Sicheng's stomach growled.

Then he remembered: I haven’t eaten yet.

"Sister An Ning hasn't eaten yet, right? How about eating something together?"

Ye Anning paused: "Okay?"

"What's good or bad about this?"

Lin Sicheng asked casually, then took out his cell phone and asked Li Zhen and Xiao Yuzhu to go directly to the restaurant.

Ye Anning didn't say anything, just smiled.

As long as nothing goes wrong!
The two of them were in no hurry and walked slowly to the cafeteria.

As they walked, they came to a place not far from home. Ye Anning seemed to sense something and subconsciously raised his head.

Two heads were squeezed against the living room window, but they retreated in a flash.

Ah!
Ye Anning laughed secretly.

Lin Sicheng's mind was full of the "Eight Golds of Tang Dynasty" and "Exploded Pearl Gilding", and he didn't pay any attention at all.

When he arrived at the cafeteria and sat down to eat, he was still thinking.

It's no wonder he was too involved: only after Teacher Bai passed away did he remember that the original technique of blasting beads and gilding them is still a lost art.

It was not until 2020 that the Qianling Mausoleum tombs of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, and Empress Wu Zetian were excavated (in Xijing), and the relevant craftsmanship was restored.

Now in 2007, how did the gilded beads on that agate cup get put on there?

The chopsticks would stop from time to time, and his eyes would be empty and out of focus.

They all knew he was thinking, so they didn't interrupt. The three girls ate as they pleased and chatted as they pleased.

Although they were not very familiar with each other, perhaps smart and beautiful women naturally have empathy, and Ye Anning and Li Zhen got along very well.

Xiao Yuzhu quietly ate her rice and listened. She didn't know why, but she felt itchy all over.

But she thought about it and still didn't know why this happened.

When they were almost done eating, Ye Anning's phone rang twice. She listened for a few seconds and turned around: "Teacher Zhang asked if 180,000 yuan is okay. If so, I'll have the finance department come over tomorrow to settle the bill, but I need an invoice!"

Teacher Zhang?

When he heard the 180,000, Lin Sicheng realized: Ye Anning was talking about the bowl.

According to the current market conditions, even if the lard is intact, it will only be worth 800 to 1 million.

The key point is that it was too torn and needed to be repaired by one-third. According to Lin Sicheng's estimate, even if it was repaired beautifully, it would only cost about 80,000 to 90,000 yuan.

Teacher Zhang doubled the price as soon as he made his offer, and only paid half of it?
Sure enough, no matter how good your craftsmanship is, you have to sell it in the right place.

He nodded, Ye Anning replied immediately and made another appointment.

On the opposite side, Li Zhen and Xiao Yuzhu were stunned: Lin Sicheng said in person that he spent more than two hundred yuan to buy the porcelain pieces of that bowl.

Only half of the gold painting was done, and only one piece of gold foil was pasted. Adding various raw materials, the total cost was at most one thousand.

After deducting taxes, it means that Lin Sicheng earned 170,000 yuan in just two days with his skills?
Suddenly, stars began to appear in the eyes of both of them, especially Xiao Yuzhu. In her eyes, Lin Sicheng had become the shape of a golden thigh.

After hanging up the phone, they continued eating. After eating, Li Zhen and Xiao Yuzhu returned to the dormitory together.

The restaurant was far from the family compound and it was dark, so Lin Sicheng sent Ye Anning back.

The four of them separated downstairs in the restaurant.

Looking at the back figures under the street light, Xiao Yuzhu's face was confused: These two people... feel quite strange?

But if you say that the two are dating, it doesn’t seem like it: Is there any boy like Lin Sicheng who has his girlfriend sitting next to him and his mind full of cultural relics and research?

Are you still thinking about it even on the way to send your partner home?

Assistant Ye is too easy to talk to.

If I say no...but why do I feel like these two people are quite a good match?

Just as I was guessing wildly, Li Zhen turned around and said, "Azhu, let's go!"

"Okay, Senior Sister~"

Xiao Yuzhu caught up and hesitated for a moment, "Senior Sister, are they dating?"

Li Zhen shook her head: "Illusion!"

Illusion?
It seems a little bit... But why are you so sure, senior sister?

Just as she had a thought, Xiao Yuzhu was suddenly stunned again: She didn't know if it was an illusion, but she finally knew why she felt itchy while eating in the restaurant.

She turned her head suddenly: Lin Sicheng had his hands in his pockets, his head hung, and was counting ants.

No need to guess, he must be still thinking about Tang Jin Bayi.

Ye An Ning followed silently beside him. When he slowed down, she slowed down. When he stopped, she stopped... quietly and silently.

Haha ...

Lin Sicheng, you are a big idiot!

(End of this chapter)