The next step is to dewax, that is, put the crusted mold shell into hot water.
Because the wax melts when heated and is lighter than water, it will flow out of the mold shell and surface, thus forming a cavity.
The last step is to put the cavity mold shell into the roasting furnace.
The temperature is raised to 800 degrees for baking, and then the molten bronze liquid is poured into the baked mold shell to form.
The third step is to clear the shell, polish and age it.
Shell clearing is to remove the quartz sand layer on the outside and inside of the poured mold shell.
Then use machinery and equipment to slightly polish the cleaned products.
Finally, the product is surface treated. This is the chemical reaction used, and the formula is generally kept confidential.
In this process, the better the chemical reaction and formula are, the more ideal the effect will be achieved.
The last process is distressing, and distressing is also an extremely important process in production.
The bronze vessels unearthed today have a layer of greenish-green rust on their surfaces due to thousands of years of chemical reactions.
Nowadays, in order to produce green rust in just four or five days, modern chemical reactions are needed to accelerate the natural corrosion of copper.
Generally, high imitation products approved by the State Administration of Cultural Heritage will take nearly a year, or even longer, to produce just the rust color.
The proportions during smelting and the rust color of the utensils caused by the local natural environment are also varied.
There are water rust, black paint antique, green paint antique, red rust and so on.
In order to achieve realistic effects, it needs to be processed multiple times, and the pH and humidity of the environment must be adjusted at any time.
Since the rust color produced after aging is a natural chemical reaction of copper, even if it is the same product, the rust color is not exactly the same, which makes antique bronze wares more valuable for collection.
Of course, this is also an official imitation, and the imitators are all experts, so it has a certain value.
For example, if the two modern high-imitation phoenix bird statues that Cao Qingchun brought back were not official imitations and were not of the highest quality craftsmanship, how could he have brought them to Chen Wenzhe?
Each of the bronzes Cao Qingchun brought this time was of high quality, so Chen Wenzhe would not treat him badly.
Therefore, Chen Wenzhe directly asked Li Jinli to take Cao Qingchun to transfer money, and the amount was 50 million at a time, and this was because he had already advanced 50 million for Cao Qingchun before.
There is no other way, apart from the Western Zhou Stone Frog, why should Chen Wenzhe give Cao Qingchun 30 million?
It was auctioned for 28 million more than ten years ago. If the antique market had not been sluggish in recent years, the price of 60 million would not be high.
There are several other items worth ten million, such as the Hanging Bronze Spear and the Rabbit Statue, each of which is worth more than ten million.
Even those two replicas of the Phoenix Bird Statue, even if they are modern imitations, just look at the imitation technology, it is normal for each piece to be worth five to six hundred thousand.
Therefore, giving 100 million is not much at all.
Of course, compared to Cao Qingchun, this is too much.
Because many of the things he brought this time were things he picked up by mistake.
For example, the Western Zhou stone frog and the two rabbit statues cost him less than 30 million in total.
Counting all other things, it doesn't exceed 50 million.
And Chen Wenzhe helped advance the money, otherwise he would not have the money to collect these things.
However, Cao Qingchun really should earn this money.
Because this time Cao Qingchun was not an intermediary, but a second-tier dealer.
If Chen Wenzhe had not used his money and reputation, the cultural relics he brought this time would have been sold for only 150 million.
Therefore, Chen Wenzhe gave 100 million in cash, which is neither more nor less.
"Don't refuse, we two brothers have each earned at least 50 million."
He took Cao Qingchun to the bank in Chenghuangmiao Antique City. After transferring the account, the two of them came to the antique city.
"Making fifty million at one time is still too much. After all, I used your name!"
Cao Qingchun was still a little uneasy, after all, he made too much money this time.
"You worked hard. You deserve this. Besides, I didn't suffer at all."
Chen Wenzhe shook his head directly. If he didn't pay the corresponding amount of money, how long could he help him even if he was a good friend?
They have both graduated several years ago, and they all need to buy a house or a car, so they must settle the accounts clearly between brothers.
Besides, if he only thinks about taking advantage, will Cao Qingchun still be as careful as he is now?
Maybe it's okay at first, but as time goes by, you'll always feel resentful.
Following Cao Qingchun, we soon came to an antique stall because there was a very strange bronze item in this stall.
This stall owner was also very knowledgeable. He knew that Cao Qingchun was collecting antiques for Chen Wenzhe, so he did not agree to sell them directly to Cao Qingchun and wanted him to introduce them.
[A novel app that has been running stably for many years, comparable to the old version of the source-changing app, huanyuanapp, that is used by all chasing bugs.]
A strange bronze vessel seemed to be genuine. Cao Qingchun would not let go of something like this.
No, I took advantage of the transfer time to bring Chen Wenzhe over.
After a few people exchanged pleasantries, the surrounding area was filled with people.
Chen Wenzhe took a closer look at the items on the stall. There were a lot of bronzes, but most of them were either unsightly tatters or fake.
When the stall owner took out something, Chen Wenzhe became serious.
This bronze vessel is really strange. Although it has four legs like a tripod, it also has an animal head protruding from one side.
The main body of the cultural relic is also quite strange, like four cups inlaid on a box.
The most peculiar thing is that there is a big hole in the center of the box.
Therefore, this object has a total of five holes. Chen Wenzhe has never seen such a strange bronze ware.
However, he seems to have heard of this thing.
"Is this a fabrication? It doesn't look like anything at all!"
Before Chen Wenzhe could speak, some stall owners nearby who came to watch the excitement had already started talking.
"Is Chen Wenzhe from Yi Niantang appraising it without looking at it? If it was a fabrication, he would have left long ago."
"Is this the real thing? But what is this thing for?"
"If we knew, where would we still be setting up a stall?"
Chen Wenzhe didn't care about the people around him. He just knew that with his reputation, it would be difficult to pick up the slack.
In this antique city, who doesn’t know him?
Even if Cao Qingchun comes over, no matter what he buys, he can't get it at a low price.
"How much do you plan to sell this thing for?" Chen Wenzhe said after just looking at it for a few times.
The stall owner was stunned for a moment, then continued: "Although I don't know what this is, I am sure that it is an ancient bronze. With such a special shape, it should be very rare, so the price must not be low, it must be 10 million.
"
"Ten million?" Chen Wenzhe smiled. This bronze was priceless, even if it cost 10 million, it would be fine.
However, this kind of bronze has no price. This does not mean that it is a priceless treasure, but it is just because this type of bronze is very rare and very few have been unearthed.