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

Chapter 26 Mansheng Pot

Zisha, Zisha, you may not be purple, but you must be red.

It can also be brown, tan, or even yellow. But no matter which one it is, it is based on red and will never turn blue.

Blue purple clay teapot...I've never heard of it.

Hao Jun widened his eyes and looked around: when he turned to the back, where the flashlight couldn't reach, the body of the pot was purple.

But if you slightly change the angle, the color of the mud will turn red, and if you change it even more, it will turn blue.

Watch it backwards and it's still the same.

Old Song was the same, with a frown and an open mouth.

Suddenly, he grabbed the flashlight and shone it on the kettle, and the kettle glowed blue. When he turned off the flashlight, it turned purple.

He didn't give up, and carried the pot outside with a tray, facing the sun.

It doesn't matter, although it didn't turn blue directly, it had a bluish red glow.

Old Song's face turned green, and he entered the house carrying a teapot: "Why wasn't it so blue before?"

Lin Sicheng didn't say anything and pointed above his head.

It's just a small light bulb, and it's as dark as a ghost market. It's strange that you can see clearly.

"Could it be that some pigment was added when the mold was being made?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Old Song wanted to slap himself in the face.

The reason why purple clay teapots are independent of ceramics is that they are not glazed or painted, and the sand has a natural retro feel.

If you add any pigment, it will only make it less valuable.

Of course, it’s probably not worth much money now: the blue purple clay teapot, people who know the business would laugh out loud just by hearing about it.

"Why is this happening?"

"Too much blue copper."

Old Song was stunned for a moment: "What?"

"It's basic copper carbonate, or copper sulfate."

Lin Sicheng patiently explained: "The reason why the color of a purple clay teapot changes when heated is mainly due to the different iron content in the clay.

The higher the iron content, the darker the color, such as the classic purple clay pot and red clay pot. The lower the iron content, the lighter the color, such as the rare white clay pot: such as the pear skin pot and duck white pot.

But it's rare to find blue tints. If they do, there's only one reason: the clay contains a high concentration of blue copper. There aren't many places producing clay with this characteristic, but Yixing definitely doesn't have it!

"But why can't we see it normally?"

"Because the color spectrum is neutral: red and blue neutralize to form purple, unless there is strong light interfering."

Isn’t it because of the interference of strong light that the colors are divided into layers?
Old Song's face turned pale: Whose kid is this? Why does he seem more experienced than the experts who have been practicing this for decades?

To say that what others say is unreasonable is nonsense.

He held onto a last glimmer of hope: "Isn't it really a Yixing pot?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "One hundred percent!"

"Then what's the point?"

Because more than 90% of the famous teapot makers were born in Yixing, learned in Yixing, made their works in Yixing, and became famous in Yixing.

If it is not produced in Yixing, what is the point of talking about the purple clay teapot with woolen threads?
Old Song was in tears.

Of course, he was still skeptical about the copper sulfate, but the fact that the pot was blue was an indisputable fact.

He has been in this business for more than 20 years, and he has never heard of a blue purple clay teapot...

If one must find a remedy: either, as Lin Sicheng said, it was not produced in Yixing. Or, as he had previously guessed, pigment was added.

However, the color matching of purple clay teapots was not as good as that of non-Yixing teapots in the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. After all, there were still famous purple clay teapot makers in non-Yixing teapots in the mid-Qing Dynasty.

He forced himself to speak: "Old Hao, who are the famous purple clay artists in the Qing Dynasty who were not from Yixing?"

Hao Jun thought for a moment and said, "Early on, Xu Jinhou and Hui Mengchen were not from Yixing, but this pot is from the middle Qing dynasty, so it's obviously impossible. There were two people from the middle Qing dynasty: Chen Hanwen and Chen Yinqian, father and son.

Although they were from Yixing, Chen Hanwen fled to Zhejiang due to a feud with his brother Chen Mingyuan. If we go back further, there won't be any famous families left."

Old Song also recalled: Chen Yinqian, not much of a name. Even if it was really a knockoff by him, it would cost at most 18,000 yuan.

Chen Hanwen, Chen Mingyuan’s younger brother... Don’t say it, it’s really possible: no wonder he looks so similar?
But to be honest, its reputation is just average.

But it’s better than nothing?

He made a bitter face, then grinned: "Old Hao, I don't want 300,000 anymore, and you don't want 150,000 either. Let's make it 200,000!"

Hao Jun jumped up in shock and took two steps back: "Old Song, do you think I'm a fool?"

"You believe what the kid said?"

"He is a child, yes, but his grandfather is Lin Changqing!"

Hao Jun sighed, "Lin Sicheng, I won't lie to you: Professor Lin is an old senior and is in the hospital. I don't want to trouble him, so I thought of asking you to take a look first.

I'll tell you the truth again, don't be angry: I thought if you couldn't see it, I would have a reason to ask Professor Lin for help after he was discharged. But I didn't expect you to see this far? Brother, I apologize to you: I didn't recognize Mount Tai..."

Lin Sicheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "That's a bit too much!"

Hao Jun shook his head and said nothing more.

Old Song opened his mouth and was stunned for a long time.

Lin Changqing’s grandson... no wonder he knows so much?

But no matter how much I understand, I still have to sell this pot, right?

He forced a smile and said, "Old Hao, this pot is from the Qingzhong era, so it must be correct, right? I'll lower the price a bit. Just like you said, 150,000!"

Hao Jun shook his head: "Okay, even if it is Chen Hanwen's pot, is it worth 150,000?"

Old Song opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.

Two years ago, a Chen Hanwen straight-bellied, round-mouthed teapot was auctioned. But it didn't have a lid, so the contemporary purple clay teapot master Gu Jingzhou added one, and it was sold for 590,000 yuan.

If you ask yourself, if you take that cover out and auction it alone, it would probably cost over 500,000.

But at least this one has a lid.

"One hundred and twenty thousand, it can't be any lower!"

Hao Jun sighed, "Old Song, by now, it's not a question of how much it costs. No one cares about the artist or the era. After all these years in this business, pat your chest and ask: Have you ever seen a purple clay teapot with a bluish tint?"

Old Song moved his lips, speechless.

I have indeed never seen it, but is it possible that it is really in my hands?

He gritted his teeth and said, "One hundred thousand... I really bought it for one hundred thousand, I'll give it to you at the original price!"

Hao Jun has made up his mind. He doesn't want even ten thousand, let alone one hundred thousand.

Just as he was about to shake his head, Lin Sicheng smiled and said, "Brother, one hundred thousand is not impossible. After all, natural blue sand mud is rare. At least it has some research value."

Old Song was like a chick pecking at rice: "Yes, yes, yes!"

"You're right... I'm not Professor Lin, I'm just an antique dealer. What do you want me to study?"

Old Song thought quickly, "Just because you can't research it doesn't mean others can't, like Professor Lin... You're right, young man. This is blue sand, maybe a unique piece... Old Hao doesn't want it, he doesn't know the value of it. I'll sell it to Professor Lin. It's not expensive, just 100,000!"

"A unique piece! How dare you brag, Old Song?" Hao Jun sneered. "Besides, Professor Lin is retired. What is he researching?"

Old Song was speechless again.

Lin Sicheng looked puzzled, wondering how things had developed to this point?
No, this is a real treasure. I didn’t say this pot is worthless. What’s the matter with you guys pushing it back and forth?

Did I overdo it?
But if you think about it carefully, apart from explaining why the body of the pot is blue, when it comes to the value of this pot, he only said two sentences: It’s a very real imitation!

It’s not Yixing clay that is used!

Unbiased, even a little bit of praise.

What was it that made Hao Jun go from being obsessed with it to being terrified of it? And what was it that made Old Song go from being a rare commodity to being terrified of losing it?
I see, it's mainly due to the blue tint on the body of the pot. It's really rare... well, it can almost be said that it has never appeared before.

Add to that the question and answer between the two, and the imagination fills in the blanks: what if a non-Yixing pot is not considered a purple clay pot, and there are no famous artists who are not from Yixing, and then it becomes like this:
It’s not a work of a famous artist, nor is it produced in a famous place, and it’s a style that I’ve never seen before. How much can this pot be worth?

But to be honest: it only costs 100,000 yuan to buy a teapot made by Chen Hongshou and Yang Pengnian. If he did that, he would wake up laughing in his dreams.

So, Brother Hao, if you miss this opportunity, you won’t be able to get it again.
He smiled and said, "Brother Hao, Grandpa is indeed retired, but there are many research institutions. You know people there, right? For example, Xi'an University, the Yaozhou Kiln Research Center... You can still make 10,000 or 20,000 yuan by reselling them!"

Hao Jun shook his head: "Ten or twenty thousand, isn't that enough trouble?"

He paused for a moment and said, "If you really think it has research value, you can buy it, but it's best to ask Professor Lin first!"

No... I didn't say I wanted to buy it, I asked you to buy it.

Why can’t I understand it?
Old Song began nodding again, almost putting the pot in Lin Sicheng's hand. "Yes, yes, yes... sell it to a research institute. Professor Lin is a leading figure in porcelain studies in Shaanxi Province, and he knows so many research institutions. It would be easy to sell it for thirty or fifty thousand."

Lin Sicheng sighed.

Hao Jun couldn't persuade him any more. If he did, he would definitely come to his senses. But at the same time, Old Song would also change his mind. Thinking of buying this pot for 100,000 yuan would be wishful thinking.

Of course, the item couldn't be missed. If Hao Jun couldn't figure it out, he'd just take matters into his own hands. But honestly: in all my life, this was the first time a buyer and seller had teamed up to force a deal on me.

He thought for a moment and said, "I only have 80,000!"

It’s indeed only 80,000, the same 80,000 I got from selling the feather duster last time.

Unexpectedly, Old Song didn't even hesitate: "Eighty thousand is eighty thousand, but I can't give you the box!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he picked up a slightly larger box, put a layer of foam in it, and then stuffed the pot in.

With a few "hissing" sounds, the tape was torn with a sharp sound. In the blink of an eye, it was wrapped three times inside and outside.

Then he pushed it in front of Lin Sicheng and took out the POS machine, smiling: "Thank you!"

Lin Sicheng was stunned: No...was it really three minutes?
Boss Song, Boss Song, are you really afraid that this pot will fall into your hands?
"No, Old Song... You don't know how to bully a child, right? Put down the POS machine..."

Hao Jun looked at Lin Sicheng seriously, his face aching with toothache. "Is this pot really worth studying?"

Lin Sicheng nodded: "Yes, there are some!"

"That's good!" Hao Jun was a little worried. "Otherwise, why don't you ask Professor Lin?"

Lin Sicheng took out his bank card: "No need!"

Hao Jun said nothing more: Lin Sicheng must understand porcelain research, otherwise he would not have seen through the radioactivity of the backflow pot of the cultural relics company.

Thinking about it this way, it should be as he said, I can still make some money by reselling it.

Then buy it.

In a flash, Lin Sicheng swiped his card, got the receipt, and picked up the pot.

Old Song smiled and saw the two of them out.

After walking more than ten meters, Hao Jun snorted coldly: "This son of a bitch definitely didn't charge 100,000, otherwise how could he be so laughing?"

"Maybe!"

But for something like this, twenty thousand more or twenty thousand less doesn’t matter.

Lin Sicheng thought for a moment and said, "Brother, haven't you asked anyone to look at it before?"

how is this possible.

Hao Jun is good at miscellaneous items and specializes in religious relics. He only has a basic understanding of porcelain, so he must find an expert appraiser.

But Rongbaozhai only collected calligraphy and paintings and stationery items, and did not have any porcelain craftsmen, so he brought Master Liu, who specialized in calligraphy and painting, to take a look.

"Of course I did. The day before yesterday, I took Master Liu to take a look."

"Who?"

"It's Old Liu, Liu Guoyi. You saw him selling dusters last time!"

Lin Sicheng thought: The calligraphy and painting expert in Hao Jun’s shop?

"What did he say?"

"The inscriptions are quite neat, but they look too crafty, and the seal carving is just average."

Shouldn't it?

Last time, within a minute, he had revealed that the calligraphy on the duster was by Pu Xinyu. Compared to him, Chen Mansheng's fame was far greater.

After all, it is an imitation, so it is understandable that he could not recognize the font and seal style on the pot. It took me a long time to match it with Chen Mansheng.

But to say that the calligraphy is too artificial and the seal script is just average... is impossible.

If you don't even have this level of appreciation, you can't be the master chef of Rongbaozhai.

Subconsciously, two words popped up in Lin Sicheng's mind: intercept, steal?

Just as I was guessing randomly, I heard a hearty laugh: "Ah, Boss Wu, what a coincidence?"

Lin Sicheng took a look: he was in his early fifties, with a big belly, and was obviously surprised when he saw Hao Jun.

But he reacted quickly, extended his hand, and forced a smile: "Mr. Hao, what a coincidence! How come you have time to come to Xicang today?"

"I had a meeting at the exchange center, and since I had nothing to do, I came over to take a look!"

Without introducing Lin Sicheng, they exchanged a few simple greetings and then parted ways.

Before leaving, Mr. Wu glanced at the box in Lin Sicheng's hand, looking a little doubtful and even a little unnatural.

Lin Sicheng's heart moved: "Brother, who is that?"

"Professional middlemen often introduce calligraphy and painting collectors to the store, sometimes buying and sometimes selling."

"Are you familiar with Master Liu?"

"Yes, the two of them have a good personal relationship."

As he finished speaking, Lin Sicheng subconsciously turned his head. The man was standing in the aisle, seemingly talking to someone.

Look carefully again: Old Song leaned against the door frame and pointed this way.

There was no need to doubt it, this person was the one sent by Master Liu to pry open the package. So, if he had come ten or twenty minutes later, the pot would be gone.

But after all, they are colleagues in the same unit, and Hao Jun is still his leader?

Looking at the bag in his hand, Lin Sicheng sighed.

If it weren't for Hao Jun, this thing wouldn't have fallen into my hands...

"Brother, let me tell you something!"

Hao Jun walked around and said nonchalantly: "You say!"

“This is a Mansheng pot!”

Hao Jun seemed not to hear clearly: "What pot?"

"The Mansheng pot was shaped by Yang Pengnian and handwritten, carved, and sealed by Chen Mansheng!"

With a "buzz", it seemed as if there was no sound in my ears, but my head was rumbling.

Hao Jun was dumbfounded: "Impossible!"

Knowing that he wouldn't believe it for a while, Lin Sicheng nodded: "Let's go to the hospital!"

(End of this chapter)