Chapter 221 Chief Calligraphy and Painting Appraiser
"Checking out the old house? Are you going to Guanxian Zhuangyuan Town?"
Shen Yu placed a cup of steaming coffee in front of Chen Guangnan, and then added a spoonful of sugar to his own cup.
Chen Guangnan took it with both hands and shook his head slightly, "No, in Chuzhou City, I don't know Li Huayuan, do you know Mr. Li?"
Shen Yu nodded, "Of course I know. Mr. Li was a famous collector in Chuzhou during his lifetime. After his death, he donated many of his fine antiques to the Chuzhou Museum.
"Is it possible that the seller has something to do with Mr. Li?"
"Yes, the seller's name is Li Haiyang, and he is the only son of Mr. Li Huayuan.
"After Mr. Li passed away two years ago, he let himself go and got divorced. His wife took the children to Dongjiang. Now he is the only one in Chuzhou. He can feed himself and the whole family is not hungry.
"He doesn't work now. He usually travels around the country. When he gets tired, he goes home and stays for two or three months.
"We are not idle in Chuzhou. We either go fishing in Qingshui River, or we go to climb Dongji Mountain or Yunwu Mountain."
Shen Yu nodded, "No wonder you need to sell antiques. It's such a hassle. You can't make hundreds of thousands a year."
Chen Guangnan: "No, Mr. Li used to like antiques and had a good eye. He was considered a top collector in the Chuzhou antique circle.
"There are indeed a lot of good things in the house, but Li Haiyang, the prodigal son, has sold a lot of them over the years, but he sells them, and Li Haiyang can always sell them for a good price."
Shen Yu: "This Li Haiyang also knows antiques?"
Chen Guangnan smiled and said, "He doesn't know much about antiques. When Mr. Li left, he knew that the antiques he had accumulated throughout his life would definitely be sold.
"Except for donating some fine porcelain calligraphy and paintings to the Chuzhou Museum, the rest have clearly marked prices on each antique.
"Li Haiyang has a very good mind. He knows that antiques increase in value every year, so the price of each antique increases by 10% every six months based on Mr. Li's mark. Do you think he is smart?"
"And he only takes three items every time he goes out for takeout, never more.
"Xiao Shen, do you know why he did this?"
Shen Yu thought for a while and suddenly laughed: "This man is quite smart. If he reveals all his wealth, even if the price is higher, the good things will definitely be bought at once, and the remaining rags will never be seen again." No one comes to the door.
"And his choice to sell only three items at a time has left many antique dealers or collectors confused about how many good items he has left.
"After all, we outsiders don't know how many things Mr. Li left for him.
"In this way, he can take control of us buyers.
"As long as he calls or sends out news that there are ancestral items for sale, there will definitely be a lot of people coming to visit.
"I think he must have not only informed you, Brother Chen, this time, right?"
Chen Guangnan was not surprised by Shen Yu's speculation, "That's right, Li Haiyang is great. This time there are at least three waves of competitors. In other words, there are four buyers and us."
Shen Yu picked up the coffee and took a sip, "Brother Chen, actually you have many choices if you want to collect antiques. You don't have to go to Li's house.
"Four buyers are bidding for three collections. If you want to buy the antiques, you must keep raising the price. On the contrary, the seller will benefit."
Chen Guangnan picked up the coffee cup and took a big sip. After swallowing it slowly, he sighed heavily, "Xiao Shen, I understand what you said, Brother Chen, but this time is different. There is a mahogany canopy bed from the Qing Dynasty. .
"That is an old piece of furniture from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. It was collected by Mr. Li during his lifetime.
“Except for two cracks in the ‘Chengchen’ on the top, the entire bed is extremely well preserved.
"The top ceiling is made of red rosewood, the three-sided carved fence is made of rosewood, and the bed is made of real rosewood.
"The carving and the appearance are antique and authentic.
"Especially the bed body, which has not been painted for hundreds of years, but the surface has a brocade-like luster, which is delicate and moist. I fell in love with it at first sight.
"In the past few years, I have come to buy more than ten times, but the other party said they would not sell it. This time, maybe because they are too short of money, they are ready to sell it. I must get it."
Shen Yu knew that Chen Guangnan liked mahogany furniture. He bought a villa a few years ago and renovated it but did not move in.
He just wanted to get together a set of genuine Ming and Qing furniture, and it had to be in good condition and high-quality.
Many people may wonder why the mahogany canopy bed includes red rosewood, rosewood, and rosewood?
In fact, all of the above belong to the category of mahogany.
Generally speaking, in the collection world, high-quality wood with red, yellow-red, or purple-red wood is considered mahogany.
For example, rosewood, rosewood, rosewood, chicken wing wood, iron wood, ebony, etc., these can all be called mahogany.
There is another kind of old mahogany.
But which kind of redwood the old redwood refers to is still controversial.
"Isn't this piece of furniture expensive?"
Chen Guangnan nodded, "I gave him 1.2 million last year, but he didn't sell it. I'm afraid he won't be able to get 1.5 million this year."
The value of mahogany furniture in the Ming and Qing Dynasties is mainly reflected in its material. In addition, the appearance and craftsmanship of making the furniture are also very important.
If it is loose, infested by insects or rats, or in dilapidated condition, its value will be greatly reduced.
If it is in good condition, it will be more valuable.
At the end of the Qing Dynasty, mahogany was sold by the pound, and was divided into several taels of silver or one tael of silver per catty depending on the value.
A red sandalwood box for storing scriptures and books often costs hundreds of silver dollars.
And a large rosewood cabinet cost an astonishing two thousand silver dollars.
Shen Yu estimated that if it was in such good condition as Chen Guangnan said, then the mahogany canopy bed would definitely not be available for less than two million.
"Brother Chen, what time is it exactly?"
"Four o'clock in the afternoon."
Shen Yu looked at his watch. It was not yet three o'clock. "There should be enough time. Besides, Mr. Qin is here, and Sister Qin may not need me to help her with the appraisal."
Say Cao Cao, Cao Cao will be here.
The door to the VIP room was pushed open from the outside, and Pei Yuqin walked in quickly.
"Qinan, come here." Then she nodded slightly apologetically to Chen Guangnan, "Brother Guangnan, please rest here for a while, and wait until Shen Yu helps me identify the remaining two paintings. Let him help you identify it."
Chen Guangnan hurriedly stood up, "I'm very happy that Xiao Shen can help me, but I don't dare to ask Xiao Shen to accompany me to buy antiques. I'm fine now. I'll just drink a few cups of coffee here."
Pei Yuqin's father is one of the top figures in Chuzhou's business community. Although Chen Guangnan's family business is not small, it is nothing compared to the Pei family.
If it weren't for Mr. Qin's relationship, Chen Guangnan knew that Pei Yuqin would not be able to call him Brother Guangnan.
……
After leaving the door, Shen Yu asked in a low voice, "Sister Qin, Mr. Qin is here, do you still need me to authenticate?"
Pei Yuqin looked around and pulled Shen Yu into a certain conference room, "Mr. Qin wants to see your eyesight in person. He also said that if you are willing, you can come to Gaogu to be the chief calligraphy and painting appraiser.
"You don't need to be stationed in Gaogu, as long as you help with the appraisal when other appraisers in Gaogu are not sure.
"And you can print the name of Gaogu's chief appraiser on your business card or signboard.
"Show your highest level of appraisal today, don't embarrass me.
"By the way, if she talks about our affairs, just ignore it.
"Don't force yourself to do anything about feelings. No matter who you like, my sister will bless you."
Shen Yu scratched his head, "Sister Qin, how does this look like the kind of life and death scene on TV? It's just the identification of two ancient paintings. I can't say that it is 100% dating, but the problem should not be big, and I will definitely not give it. Sister Qin, you are so embarrassed.
"By the way, what is the appraisal result of the appraisal center for that painting by Li Tang?"
Pei Yuqin gritted his teeth and said two words: "Doubtful."
