Milan is a city that combines modern flavor with classical art.
This has always been a famous and important city in Europe. It suffered heavy losses during World War I and World War II. Especially in World War II, Milan suffered carpet bombing and was severely damaged.
The current city of Milan was rebuilt after World War II.
However, not all places were destroyed. Some places were lucky enough to survive, and Ursuline Street in the east of the city was one of them.
Because there are still many buildings here that maintain the traditional European style of the 16th and 17th centuries, it has gradually become a place for concentrated exchanges of ancient culture and art.
Such places usually have a very easy-to-understand name in China, Antique Street.
Via Ursuline is the most famous antique market in the city of Milan. The variety of things here is beyond your imagination, from ancient pharaonic utensils to some collected works of art that have only appeared in the past ten years.
Of course, you have to use your own eyes to judge the authenticity of something. There are no less fakes abroad than at home.
Milan is an important Catholic town, second only to the capital Rome. It is called a holy place by many Catholics and has many famous cathedrals.
After a day's rest in the hotel and everyone adjusting to the time difference, Bai Ming excitedly took Li Yang to the 'Holy Land' in his mind. However, the place Bai Ming went to was not the cathedrals, but Wusulan.
Main street.
For those who love collecting and Taobao, this is their ‘holy place’.
"Li Yang, let me tell you, when I first came here, I was completely shocked by this place. This is simply a small world expo center. You can almost find treasures from all over the world!"
Before arriving at the place, Bai Ming talked endlessly about his experience in the car.
This is not the first time he has been to Milan, to be exact, this is the third time. One time was for tourism, and the other time was when the previous big auction was held. He was invited by a rich man to help with his eyesight, and he experienced it again.
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No matter which time, Wusulan Street left a deep impression on him.
The most famous feature here is its abundance and completeness. There are not as many restrictions here as there are in China. As long as your things are not weapons, drugs or other prohibited items, treasures from any period can be sold here.
Here, there are both Chinese bronzes and early European artworks from the ancient Greek and Roman periods.
Here, you can also see the culture of the American Indian period and the classic masterpieces of various African periods. In short, there is nothing you can't think of and nothing you can't see.
There are so many treasures that are both real and fake. It is not easy to find real treasures among these things that are difficult to distinguish between real and fake.
However, Taobao itself is a fun thing. If you pick up something at a low price here, no matter how big it is, you will be extremely happy.
Last time, Bai Ming took away a valuable Ming Dynasty tea set here. Although it was from a private kiln, it was very well made. What was even more rare was the appearance of the complete set, which made Bai Ming happy for a long time.
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"Is this Usulan Street?"
As soon as he got off the car, Li Yang was slightly startled, pointed to a small alley in front of him, and asked in confusion.
In Li Yang's impression, such a famous place must be a very wide road. The road is very long, with shops on both sides, all of which are antique shops. It is just like Liulichang Street in China, or even bigger than Liulichang Street.
Much bigger.
But in the alley in front of us, only four or five people can walk side by side. Let alone Liulichang, it is not even as good as the stall area in Panjiayuan.
"That's it. When I came here for the first time, I was just like you. You'll find out when you get in!"
Bai Ming chuckled. Li Yang's reaction was already within his expectation. Almost everyone who came here for the first time was not surprised.
Liu Gang went to park the car, while Zhao Kui and Haidong followed Li Yang closely. Xiao Yan looked around curiously and excitedly, and they followed Bai Ming into the alley.
From the outside, the alley looks really small.
And it's very shabby. The houses here can tell they are old at first glance, and there are not many people walking around with small boxes. This makes Li Yang wonder, how can this be an antique market famous throughout Europe?
After walking a few steps, the alley suddenly forked. Bai Ming led them to turn to the right in a familiar way. After a few minutes, the scene in front quickly changed.
There is no longer this tiny alley ahead, but a place like a farmer's market.
This market is not big, but it is very slender. They are small houses like domestic farmers' markets, filled with various handicrafts.
There are a lot of people here, and there are customers watching in front of almost every shop. If you don't look carefully, Li Yang would really think that this is a popular vegetable market.
"Why is Ursulan Street like this?"
Seeing what he saw in front of him, Li Yang was still a little disappointed and couldn't help but ask.
"Actually, Wusulan Street has not yet arrived. This is also a major feature of Wusulan Street. Since more ancient buildings are preserved, Wusulan Street has long lost its official entrance and is a street that is sealed inside.
The place where we just came in is just a small entrance, and this is just a market on the edge of the street. Walking in from here is the real Usulan!"
Bai Ming smiled and explained that this market, which is famous in Europe, naturally cannot be like this.
It's just that Bai Ming's tea set was obtained at this small marginal market last time. When he came this time, he subconsciously took everyone along this route.
Li Yang nodded, and Bai Ming's explanation made sense. There was no way such a famous market could be like this.
Bai Ming led everyone towards the small market. At this time, his face was slightly excited.
He and Li Yang were the only ones who came out today. Teacher Cai and Mr. Mao were invited by Mr. Gao. Although they set off with them, they needed to meet Mr. Gao after they arrived. After all, they spent a lot of money.
Li Yang, the senior executive, also knew him. He had a certain background and was stronger than Chang Sheng.
Only such people can hire first-class experts like Mr. Mao and Teacher Cai.
"Although this market is small, it has a wide range of items, and many of them are Chinese antiques. Currently, Chinese antiques are becoming more and more popular in the European market!"
Bai Ming said as he walked, he was just explaining to Li Yang that the two of them were the main visitors to the market today.
"There are indeed a lot of things, but I didn't expect that our army of counterfeit goods has already gone abroad and developed abroad!"
Li Yang nodded lightly and said with a smile that they had entered this small market that was like a farmers' market. Many shops displayed some Chinese porcelain and bronze wares.
It's a pity that these porcelain and bronze wares are so fake that they can't even be considered low-quality imitations. Some of them are just handicrafts made by ordinary factories.
"Ha ha!"
Bai Ming laughed loudly, and the others couldn't help but smile. What Li Yang said was very interesting.
However, the things here are indeed not real. Even Wang Jiajia and Liu Gang can tell that several of them are fake, which shows how fake the things here are.
"They don't sell these fake things as real things. They sell them as handicrafts, which is nothing!"
After laughing, Bai Ming said again.
Fake goods are sold at fake prices. This seems to have been subconsciously accepted by modern people. Just like in China, many small markets sell shoes and clothing of various brands, but their prices are much cheaper than in specialty stores.
When Li Yang was in school, he often bought these fake brand names, so he was quite okay with it.
"Master, Brother Li, this is pretty good. It seems to be from the Republic of China period?"
Xiao Yan suddenly pointed at a white-glazed bottle and shouted. The bottle was not big. It was completely white-glazed and had no decorations, but it was an old object with a door open.
Li Yang also noticed this bottle. No matter how valuable the bottle was, it was a real old object after all, and it was also the first genuine thing Li Yang saw today.
Bai Ming walked over, exchanged a few words with the boss briefly, and then picked up the bottle.
There aren't as many rules here as there are in China, but fragile things like porcelain still need to be explained, and you have to be careful when picking them up.
"It's indeed the Republic of China period, or something from the early days. Why, do you like it?"
Bai Ming said to Xiao Yan with a smile, with a little approval in his eyes.
It is not a big deal to recognize porcelain from the Republic of China period. Many collectors can recognize it, but Xiao Yan has just studied for a short time, and there are so many fakes here. He can tell at a glance that it is from the Republic of China period, which is already very good.
Not bad.
When compared to other ordinary people, Xiao Yan's progress is definitely very fast, but it is far behind Li Yang.
However, Bai Ming never thought of comparing Xiao Yan and Li Yang.
There is not a monster like Li Yang in a thousand years. Anyone who competes with him will have no confidence. Not to mention Xiao Yan, even he, who is a master, can't compare with Li Yang now.
"If it's not expensive, I'd like to buy it!"
Xiao Yan scratched his head and looked a little embarrassed.
There was a strong excitement on his face. No matter what, this was the first thing he picked out with his own hands, and it was approved by the master.
"Let me ask you!"
Bai Ming turned around and asked again in simple Italian mixed with English. Li Yang understood what he said this time.
The shop owners here speak mostly English, which also brings certain convenience to their communication.
"Fifty euros, take it!"
Bai Ming waved his hand and shouted at Xiao Yan with a smile.
The shop owner sells this white glaze bottle for 50 euros. The price is really not expensive, which is about 500 yuan. Such a bottle is worth 3,000 to 5,000 yuan when you take it back to China.
Speaking of which, this can be considered a small omission.
