Looking at the look on Eskenazi's face, Liu Dong could see that this old man's love for Chinese culture and artworks comes from his heart and comes from his bones.¤
However, in the face of this situation, Liu Dong couldn't tell whether it was good or bad. The good side was that Chinese antiques and artworks could be carefully maintained in the hands of such people, and it also spread Chinese civilization. The bad side was that the
Because of the existence of such people, the illegal activities of tomb robbing and cultural relic smuggling in China have become more and more rampant.
He shook his head secretly. Like many problems that Liu Dong had troubled before, he could not solve this problem with his current ability and status.
"I wonder if Mr. Liu can satisfy my curiosity as a Chinese culture lover?" Eskenazi said.
After a slight hesitation, Liu Dong nodded, "Of course, if you are interested, sir, I can let you see this painting when you come to China next time!"
"Thank you so much!"
"No need to thank you, but I have one more request. I wonder if the old gentleman can agree to it?" Liu Dong said.
"Tell me about it?" Eskenazi said with great interest.
"In fact, it's not complicated. I just hope that when the Chinese cultural relics are auctioned today, the old man can take the next step!" Liu Dong said quickly.
Does he know that this old man who has extraordinary eyesight, is proficient in art appraisal, and owns many industries is not a poor owner of money. Moreover, Liu Dong, who has seen the Van Gaal collection, knows very well that the things that can appear on the auction stage today
All are excellent products.
Moreover, after purchasing the second batch of antiques from Van Gaal and paying customs duties and various taxes, Liu Dong's original capital of 78 million euros is now only about 30 million.
30 million euros sounds like a lot, but in the face of competition from high-quality antiques worth dozens or millions of euros, Liu Dong still feels that it is not enough.
Especially at an auction with so many competitors!
After thinking for a while, Eskenazi said: "I can promise you, but if you can't make it to the last step...!"
"Then this agreement will naturally be invalidated!" Liu Dong said directly.
"Okay, then I agree!"
"Thank you very much!" Liu Dong said happily.
Without this old man, he lost a strong competitor.
"You're welcome, we are doing this for mutual benefit! Haha!"
…
"Welcome everyone to come to the Van Gaal family manor this afternoon to participate in the auction organized by me!" After a burst of applause, Van Gaal continued: "I know that everyone is pressed for time, and I would also like to see those who represent human civilization.
Brilliant and exquisite works of art, then I will stop talking nonsense and invite today’s auctioneer, the auctioneer from Sotheby’s auction house, Lucas Mustafi!”
When Van Gaal finished speaking, a middle-aged white man wearing a fair black suit strode to the auction table specially prepared in the center of the living room.
"Mr. Mustafi is a respected 'white glove' and I believe he can perfectly host tonight's auction!" After finishing speaking, Van Gaal walked away.
"Liu Dong. What are 'white gloves'?" Mei Xue poked Liu Dong's arm and whispered.
"The highest honor of the auctioneer's profession is to obtain the "White Glove". It means achieving a 100% sales rate in a special auction, which represents the highest recognition of the auctioneer."
"So awesome!" Mei Xue exclaimed.
Smiling and nodding, Liu Dong whispered: "Look, it's about to start!"
After nodding, Mei Xue focused her attention on the auction table in the center of the living room. At this moment, the first piece of art to be auctioned had been displayed on the huge curtain behind by the projector.
Although there is no on-site verification, I think most of the people who came to participate in the auction today have seen the collection of the Van Gaal family like Liu Dong, and in the face of so many celebrities, Van Gaal did not dare to sell fakes.
"The first lot is from the Qianlong imperial kiln in the Qing Dynasty, a six-sided vase with a yellow background and blue and white dragons holding longevity patterns. The base price is 800,000 euros. Each increase in price shall not be less than 20,000 euros. Interested parties are invited to bid now!"
"820,000!" The official kilns of the third generation of the Qing Dynasty have always been the favorites of porcelain collectors at home and abroad, and the piece in front of me is a rare masterpiece, so as soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, there was already an endless stream of people bidding on it.
Liu Dong had personally seen this six-sided vase from the Qianlong imperial kiln in Van Gaal's collection. It is nearly 60 centimeters tall, with an open mouth, a long neck, double dragon ears, plump shoulders, lowered feet, and
Outward-looking, slender and beautiful, with solemn momentum. The whole work is made of lemon yellow as a base and decorated with blue and white patterns, with rich patterns and distinct layers.
The six edges are respectively painted with dragon patterns, with two horns and five claws. They are dragons with a majestic image. Each dragon has two claws grasping a pearl. There is a seal script character "Shou" inside, which is auspicious and auspicious. Correspondingly, the six edges of the neck also have a seal script character "Shou".
One of each, complementing each other. The whole work has bright blue and white, and delicate yellow glaze. The blue and white on the bottom of the vessel has the inscription "Made in the Qianlong Year of the Qing Dynasty" written in neat seal script.
If Van Gaal hadn't kept it until the auction, Liu Dong would have bought this favorite piece of imperial kiln porcelain from the third generation of the Qing Dynasty long ago.
"But it's not too late!"
Thinking of this, Liu Dong raised the No. 18 bidding sign in his hand and shouted loudly: "1.3 million euros!"
Liu Dong's bid instantly increased the original bidding price by 200,000 euros, which immediately attracted a variety of looks from those around him, including surprise and surprise.
"I didn't expect Mr. Liu to be so generous. It seems that you are determined to win!" Eskenazi said with a slight surprise.
Liu Dong smiled faintly. Although the price of 1.3 million was high, it was not generous. After all, when Christie's in Hong Kong auctioned a six-sided vase from the Qianlong imperial kiln that was the same as the current one two years ago, the price was
It has reached more than 7 million Hong Kong dollars. Now two years have passed, and according to the growth rate of the art market, it is not uncommon for a same six-sided vase from the Qianlong Imperial Kiln to cost 10 million Chinese dollars or even more!
"Thank you, Mr. Sir...!"
As soon as Liu Dong finished speaking, he heard a familiar and annoying voice shout: "1.4 million euros!"
Looking at Tanaka Ichiro's provocative eyes, Liu Dong frowned. What he fears most at auctions is people raising prices like this. In this way, he often has to spend more than usual to buy his favorite antiques, or even double the price.
As for price, in March, Liu Dong wouldn't mind competing with Ichiro Tanaka to see who had more money, but that's obviously not the case now.
"1.5 million euros!" Liu Dong said after some hesitation.
"1.6 million!"
As soon as Liu Dong finished speaking, Fujita Ichiro said without hesitation.
At this time, the people around also began to notice that the two people seemed to be having sex. Thinking of the conflict between the two at the beginning and the conflict between the Chinese and the Japanese, they couldn't help but show a look of watching the show on their faces.
However, there were also many Chinese people present. Although they basically did not know Liu Dong, they obviously did not want to see their compatriots suffer. It was just that due to the occasion, it was not convenient to remind them out loud.
"1.7 million euros!" Liu Dong frowned.
Perhaps seeing the confusion on Liu Dong's face, Tanaka Ichiro said proudly: "1.8 million euros!"
"1.85 million euros!" Liu Dong continued.
"Liu Dong!" Mei Xue held Liu Dong's right arm with a worried expression.
"It's okay, I know it well!"
By the time Liu Dong finished comforting Mei Xue, Tanaka Ichiro had already raised the price to a high of 2 million euros!
"2.05 million euros!"
"2.2 million euros!" Ichiro Tanaka followed closely.
After noticing that everyone's eyes were focused on him again, Liu Dong smiled lightly and did not raise the bidding sign in his hand.
He is not stupid. He naturally knows that Tanaka Ichiro just saw that he liked this piece of porcelain and wanted to raise the price. After that, he made himself spend unjust money to buy it so that he could be embarrassed in front of others and avenge the previous humiliation.
.
Liu Dong must not let him get his wish, and 2.2 million euros is equivalent to 16 million Chinese coins. If you negotiate the price, it is enough to buy two imperial kilns of the third and third dynasties of the Qing Dynasty in ordinary antique stores. There is no need to buy it when you are not financially well-off.
To save face and suffer the consequences!
"Everyone, what are you waiting for me to do? The price of 2.2 million euros is too high, I give up!" Liu Dong said with a smile.
Hearing this, most people, including Eskenazi across from him, showed a look of surprise in their eyes.
After all, they had seen with their own eyes how Liu Dong was determined to get the six-sided bottle from the Qianlong imperial kiln before. Now he suddenly retreated from the rapids with a calm look on his face, which was somewhat unbelievable.
Young people in their early twenties shouldn't be young and energetic, refusing to admit defeat. When did they become so sophisticated?
"Mr. No. 9 bids 2.2 million euros. Is there anyone else who bids higher?" The auctioneer immediately shouted after he realized what he was doing.
But no one is a fool. The price is already 2.2 million euros and they still have to raise the price. So after the auctioneer dropped the hammer, this 'Qing Dynasty Qianlong Imperial Kiln Yellow Background Blue and White Zhenglong Holding Longevity Pattern Six-sided Vase' fell to the auction house. The look was not so good.
In the hands of Ichiro Tanaka!
Of course, I originally wanted to trick Liu Dong, but he was tricked by others instead. It is strange that Ichiro Tanaka looks good.
However, seeing that he had no choice but to give up a piece of porcelain that he was originally determined to obtain, Liu Dong felt quite regretful.
"I didn't expect that Mr. Liu would have such determination and courage at such a young age, which is really surprising!" Eskenazi said with a smile.
"Compared to the old gentleman, I still have a lot to learn!" Liu Dong said calmly.
After nodding, Eskenazi took a deep look at Liu Dong, then turned his head and continued to look at the auction table.
At this time, the second auction item has appeared on the projector, a pigeon blood red ring of at least 15 carats!
"This is a ruby ring given by King Louis XIV of France to his queen, Princess Marie-Thérèse of Spain. The price is as low as 580,000 euros. Interested parties are invited to bid now!"
Even though Liu Dong was Chinese, his influence on Louis XIV made the Kingdom of France the most powerful country in Europe at that time and made French the common language of diplomacy and upper class society throughout Europe for two centuries.
, making himself the greatest monarch in the history of France and one of the longest-ruling monarchs in world history. The great Western emperor who was a contemporary of Kangxi was no stranger to the great monarch who was respectfully called the "Sun King" at the time. (To be continued, please search Piaotian Literature