Five or six minutes later.
Under the leadership of Miura Mitsunan, the director of the Tokyo National Museum and others walked into this antique shop.
In addition to the director of the Tokyo National Museum, several others are also the directors of several famous museums in Tokyo, as well as top antique art appraisal experts, etc.
Xiao Ran had met several of them before when he was in the United States, and they were considered old friends.
For example, the director of the Tokyo National Museum once took people to Philadelphia to get back the stolen antiques from his museum, but was brutally stabbed by Xiao Ran.
Without exception, these devils are heavyweights in the field of Japanese antique art collection and have a high status.
Miura Guangnan, who led them in, was extremely respectful and extremely excited.
As he led people into the store, he kept bowing and respectfully introduced the situation of his antique store.
The several clerks standing inside and outside the store all bowed at ninety degrees and respectfully greeted the little Japanese who had just entered.
Looking at the director of the Tokyo National Museum and others, they all seemed to take it for granted.
Several people unanimously looked at Miura Guangnan and several clerks from the corners of their eyes.
For them, this kind of scene may have been accustomed to it, and they may even take it for granted.
But in the eyes of Xiao Ran and the others, there was something new.
Xiao Ran and David looked at each other quickly, smiled, and then greeted the few Japanese who had just entered.
"Good morning, Director Qiangu, you are well."
Before he finished speaking, the curator of the Tokyo National Museum immediately smiled and said:
"Good morning, Mr. Sean, welcome to Japan, nice to see you again"
"We just learned on the news last night that you brought people to Tokyo, so we came to visit immediately."
As he said this, these Japanese people came closer.
Xiao Ran greeted them respectively and touched their elbows.
The two strangers among them also introduced themselves respectfully.
After some polite greetings, these Japanese people all looked at the scroll in Xiao Ran's hand, and everyone's eyes were full of curiosity.
At the same time, each of their eyes was full of worry, which they couldn't hide at all!
They all know very well how sharp Xiao Ran's vision is, and have seen his magic with their own eyes.
Such a magical and cruel guy suddenly came to Tokyo, which is not a good thing for Tokyo, or even for the entire Japanese antique art market!
In the next period of time, the Japanese and Tokyo antique art markets are likely to face a catastrophe, and countless treasures will be swept away by this cruel guy!
Although they were very worried, for a while, these heavyweights in the field of Japanese antique art collection could not think of any good way to deal with it!
Thinking of this, several Japanese people felt a headache.
The next moment, Director Zenitani of the Tokyo National Museum suddenly said curiously:
"Mr. Sean, it seems that you have gained something and found a good calligraphy and painting work."
"Can we also appreciate this scroll? We would like to know which master's work is this and how much is it worth?"
Following his words, several other Japanese people echoed, and everyone stared at the scroll with anticipation.
Miura Mitsunami, who was also at the scene, was very nervous, restless, and even a little regretful!
If I had known that these big shots were coming, I really shouldn’t have made an offer prematurely to sell this painting to this guy Sean!
If it's late, these big shots will definitely be able to help, and maybe they can sell it for a higher price!
We do not even rule out the possibility that this incomplete painting may be a top-notch work of art, but I am just blind!
Because of this, Xiao Ran bought this painting and agreed so simply!
Just when he was thinking wildly, Xiao Ran suddenly smiled and said:
"Gentlemen, since you want to appreciate this painting, of course it's okay."
"But I can't show you this painting until I complete the transaction with boss Miura."
"Just a moment ago, boss Miura and I reached an agreement to buy this painting, but we just haven't had time to pay yet!"
Following his words, the Japanese who had just entered all looked at Miura Konan.
As for Miura Guangnan, he could only bow and nod.
"Yes, gentlemen, just now, I have reached an agreement with Mr. Sean and decided to sell this painting to him."
"This is a dilapidated ancient painting, priced at $5,000."
Hearing this, several Japanese people, led by Director Qian Gu, could only nod.
"In that case, let's deal first!"
"After you complete the transaction, we will appreciate the painting."
"Hai!"
Miura Guangnan nodded in response and bowed.
Xiao Ran chuckled softly, and then began to trade with Miura Guangnan.
The transaction went smoothly and was completed quickly, with both money and goods received.
Immediately afterwards, Xiao Ran came to the book table next to him and carefully unfolded the scroll again.
As the scroll was opened, the director of the Tokyo National Museum and others immediately gathered around and began to admire the painting.
Miura Konan, standing aside, nervously introduced the situation of this painting.
Through his introduction, the director of the Tokyo National Museum and others also gained a little understanding of this painting.
However, they were confused and couldn't tell which artist's work it was and which era it came from.
After a while, an appraisal expert from the Tokyo Museum suddenly said:
"This painting is a southern Chinese landscape painting. It looks a bit like the work of Ma Yuan, a master of the Southern Song Dynasty, and is somewhat similar to Xia Gui's style."
"However, the quatrain in the upper right corner of the painting comes from the Ming Dynasty, which is hundreds of years different from the Southern Song Dynasty. This does not match up."
"Furthermore, the seal at the end of the five-character quatrain can no longer be seen clearly. It may be difficult to identify the origin of this painting."
"But what is certain is that this is a very outstanding Chinese landscape painting. Unfortunately, it was not carefully protected and only the fragments are left in front of you."
Hearing this, other Japanese people present nodded in agreement.
At the same time, these guys also expressed their pity.
Such an outstanding southern Chinese landscape painting has gone through many hardships to become what it is now, and its provenance cannot be verified.
At this moment, Curator Qian Gu suddenly looked at Xiao Ran and asked expectantly:
"Sean, what do you think of this ancient painting? Can you tell us about it? We really want to know your opinion."
"As we all know, you have a very sharp eye. You almost never pass by all kinds of treasures. It has long become a legend."
"I believe that you must have made a different and surprising discovery, so you bought this painting."
Following his words, everyone at the scene looked at Xiao Ran.
They have all seen or heard about Xiao Ran's abilities and know that he is the top expert in appraising antique art.
More importantly, in those miraculous legends, he seems to be omnipotent and omnipotent.
This is a bit exaggerated and even unheard of!
Of course, some people at the scene were skeptical and wanted to see for themselves whether he was really so magical!
Xiao Ran turned his head and looked at the Japanese, then looked at the painting on the desk, but did not respond immediately.
After pretending to think for a moment, he smiled and said:
"Yes, gentlemen, I have indeed made some discoveries, but I'm not very sure. It's just my personal opinion. Let's just take it for granted."
"I just observed this ancient painting carefully and thought it might be the work of Xia Gui, a famous painter, one of the four Southern Song Dynasty painters."
"The story of the fishing and woodcutter question comes from Shao Yong, one of the five Confucian scholars in the Northern Song Dynasty. It has appeared in many paintings as early as the Northern Song Dynasty."
"This theme of Xia Gui's paintings is very normal. In the history of Chinese art, there are also relevant records. Xia Gui did paint "Fishing and Woodcutter Questions""
"However, Xia Gui's "Fishing and Woodworking" has not been handed down. It is said that after it leaked out of the palace in the middle of the Qing Dynasty, it disappeared."
Upon hearing this, the Japanese at the scene immediately exploded.
These guys have done some research on Chinese antiques and art, and naturally know Xia Gui from the four Southern Song Dynasty families.
They also know very well Xia Gui's status in the Chinese painting world and the value of his paintings.
How could they not be excited when they heard Xiao Ran say that this might be Xia Gui's work?
"Oh my God! Is this really "The Picture of the Fishing and Woodcutter" written by Xia Gui, one of the Four Masters of the Southern Song Dynasty? It's incredible!"
"If that's the case, then this is definitely a top-notch piece of art, even if it's just a fragment."
Several Japanese people exclaimed, all of them extremely excited.
At this moment, the appraisal expert from the Tokyo Museum suddenly said:
"It is undeniable that in this landscape painting, we can indeed see the shadow of Xia Gui, the four masters of the Southern Song Dynasty."
"But how to explain the five-character quatrain in the upper right corner of the painting? This five-character quatrain came from the Ming Dynasty, so how could it appear in a Song painting? It's puzzling."
Xiao Ran looked at this guy, then smiled and said:
"The reason is actually very simple. This five-character quatrain was written by later generations, not the original one."
"Judging from the calligraphy of this five-character quatrain, it looks very much like Emperor Qianlong's handwriting. He also had this habit."
"The seal at the end of the quatrain is naturally the seal of Qianlong. This is not difficult to prove. You should be able to find relevant information in the Forbidden City."
"Let's talk about the painting style and painting techniques of this painting. This is the basis for identifying the authenticity of a painting."
"In the Southern Song Dynasty painting circle, Xia Gui's landscape paintings are somewhat similar to Ma Yuan in style and expression techniques, and they both belong to the vigorous school of ink painting."
"Xia Gui first studied with Li Tang, and later absorbed the strengths of Fan Kuan and Mi Yuanhui. He became his own style and eventually became a master, ranking among the four masters of the Southern Song Dynasty."
"He likes to use a wet brush to smear the ink, and then use a wet pen to smear the ink, so that the ink and ink blend..."
Next, Xiao Ran gave a brief explanation based on the various characteristics shown in this ancient painting.
As he introduced, the audience continued to hear exclamations of exclamation.
The Japanese no longer had any doubts about the identification conclusion he gave.
There is no doubt that this incomplete ancient painting must be the masterpiece of Xia Gui, one of the four masters of the Southern Song Dynasty, and it was once the favorite of Emperor Qianlong.
While marveling again and again, the eyes of these Japanese people turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.
At this time, they wished they could snatch this ancient painting immediately and make it their own!
But they also know that it is a wishful thinking and it is impossible to realize it!
Many of those idiots who tried to rob Xiao Ran went to hell to report!
Miura Mitsunami, who was also present at the scene, looked completely lost at this moment, almost dying of heartache!
He never thought that the fragment of the scroll he sold for 5,000 US dollars was actually the work of Xia Gui, one of the four masters of the Southern Song Dynasty!
This is definitely a top-notch piece of art, and its value must be astonishing!
Thinking of this, Miura Guangnan suddenly felt a burst of angina and almost fell to the ground.
While talking, Xiao Ran had already finished the introduction.
As soon as he finished speaking, Curator Qian Gu and other Japanese people immediately looked at the ancient painting again and carefully evaluated it.
At this moment, Miura Konan suddenly asked with trembling:
"Mr. Sean, if this ancient painting is really the work of Xia Gui, one of the four masters of the Southern Song Dynasty, how much is it worth?"
Xiao Ran turned to look at this guy, then smiled and said:
"If this ancient painting is really the work of Xia Gui, since its main body is completely preserved, its value should be around US$10 million."
Not surprisingly, as this valuation came out, the scene immediately became excited again.
Looking at Miura Konan again, his eyes darkened and he suddenly fell backwards!
Obviously, this guy couldn't bear the huge blow and fainted on the spot.
Xia Gui's "Residence by the Lake"
