The auction finally begins.
The pictures of the first set of lots appeared on two large-screen TVs at the scene, and the pictures were very clear.
However, not a single physical object was brought up for display.
There is no objection to this.
The reason is that everyone highly recognizes and trusts Xiao Ran's appraisal vision.
At this time, he had come down from the auction table and sat with Elaine and others on a few chairs on the side of the auction table, chatting in a low voice while watching the auction proceed.
The person who replaced him on the auction stage was a senior auctioneer from Sotheby's.
The next auction will be hosted by this senior auctioneer.
Since this is a sealed bidding auction, there is basically no need for an auctioneer to mobilize the atmosphere and the emotions of many buyers, so the auction is relatively simple.
The main task of the auctioneer is to introduce the many lots on offer and announce the final auction results.
As the first set of lots appeared on the big-screen TV, the auctioneer began to introduce them eloquently.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the first group of auction items you are seeing now includes two oil paintings, two sculptures, as well as some other antique cultural relics and gold and silver treasures. The combinations are diverse and the types are rich."
"All these items are from the famous Napoleon treasures. They were collected in the Habsburg palace in Austria more than 200 years ago. They are a fine collection of the Habsburg family."
"After Napoleon conquered Austria, he took these antique works of art and gold and silver treasures for himself, then took them to Paris and hid them. Today, more than two hundred years later, they appear in front of everyone."
"Among these auction items with great historical and cultural research value and collection value, include a painting by the master Rembrandt, an oil painting by another master Bruegel, and a master sculpture..."
Following the auctioneer's quick introduction, high-definition pictures of corresponding antique artworks and gold and silver treasures, as well as high-definition close-ups, were also played on the two large-screen TVs at the scene.
Seeing such scenes, several Austrians sitting among the many buyers in the audience felt itchy in their teeth.
Two of the Austrians, who were somewhat related to the Habsburg family, were gnashing their teeth and their eyes were red.
"This bastard Sean is so fucking abominable. These are the treasures that belong to our family, but this bastard is auctioning them off to make money. It's infuriating just thinking about it!"
"This bastard is extremely cunning. He actually auctioned two oil paintings by Rembrandt and Bruegel together with other things. Isn't this a bundled sale?"
"No way, this bastard is sure that everyone will compete for those two top-notch oil paintings, so he sells some antique artworks and gold and silver treasures of relatively average value. How damn cunning!"
Not only these Austrians, but other buyers at the scene also understood what Xiao Ran was planning.
Everyone's teeth were itching, but there was nothing they could do.
However, almost everyone at the scene was focused on the two oil paintings by Rembrandt and Bruegel, and were ready to participate in the bidding, trying to win this group of lots.
In the blink of an eye, the auctioneer had finished introducing the items.
The total valuation of this group of lots was immediately announced, which was also the auction's reserve price.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the overall valuation of this group of auction items is 120 million euros."
"Based on this valuation, everyone can now start bidding and submit their bids to the auction staff."
"After all buyers have completed their quotations, we will have lawyers open the bids on site, and the winning bid will be announced later."
The auctioneer said passionately.
Before the words were spoken, many buyers in the audience took action and began to make offers.
Because Xiao Ran had spoken beforehand, he had already issued a warning.
These buyers did not discuss with other buyers to formulate offensive and defensive alliances, but made their own quotations.
At most, they will discuss a few words with the assistants and appraisal experts around them, and then make a quotation based on their own judgment.
In this way, the quotation speed is much faster.
In just three to five minutes, everyone had already written the quotation.
They put the quotations into envelopes one after another and handed them to the staff who collected the quotations.
After all the buyers who were interested in bidding for this group of lots submitted their quotations, the auctioneer immediately asked loudly:
"Is there any buyer participating in the bidding? If not, we will immediately enter the second group of auctions."
"After the auction results of the first group of lots are released, we will announce them immediately. If you have any objections, you can raise them on the spot."
"We will keep all bid lists and the entire video of the bid opening. You are welcome to check it at any time."
After the words fell, there were no other buyers bidding again.
At the same time, everyone started talking in low voices.
"This guy Sean is so thorough in his actions. The process he designed is almost impeccable. Even if we want to question it, we probably can't find an excuse!"
"It's best for everyone to bid honestly and don't think about any tricks. Otherwise, we will definitely be the ones who are embarrassed in the end."
Just as everyone was talking about it, the pictures on the two large-screen TVs suddenly changed.
Images of the second group of auction items appeared on the big TV screen, including some high-definition close-up images.
Immediately afterwards, the auctioneer began to introduce the second group of lots.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the second set of lots you are seeing now is composed of two parts."
"Two-thirds of the lots are from the famous Napoleon treasures, and the other third are some discoveries made by Mr. Sean at the Saint-Ouan Antique Market."
"Those items from Napoleon's treasures were all collected in the Sforza Family Castle in Milan, Italy more than 200 years ago. They are the finest collections of the Sforza Family."
“Most of the lots are engraved with the coat of arms of the Sforza family, except for a few antique pieces of art, which is enough to prove their provenance.”
"In this group of auctions, there is a "Madonna and Child" by the Renaissance Mannerist master Giuseppe, and "Côte d'Azur" by the post-Impressionist master Lautrec..."
Following the auctioneer's introduction, there was an immediate commotion in the audience.
"Wow! It's actually a fine collection from the Sforza family, as well as works by Giuseppe, the master of Renaissance Mannerism. This is so rare. I want to win this lot!"
"I like this "Côte d'Azur". Lautrec was the first person to use nude women to express the beautiful scenery of the Côte d'Azur. This post-impressionist masterpiece is definitely worth collecting."
Before everyone could stop talking, the reserve prices for the second group of lots were announced.
Compared with the first group of lots, the reserve price of this group of lots is much lower, but it is still as high as 85 million euros.
With the release of this overall valuation, buyers in the audience who are interested in competing for this group of lots have begun to fill out quotations.
When all the quotations for the second group of lots were collected and handed over to several lawyers.
The results of the first round of auctions just came out and were handed over to the auctioneer.
The auctioneer who got the results immediately announced the auction results.
"Ladies and gentlemen, under the on-site witness of several lawyers, the auction results of the first group of lots have been released."
"The buyer who bought the first set of lots is Mr. Rosenberg, a famous collector from Frankfurt. The winning bid is 168.01 million euros. Congratulations to Mr. Rosenberg."
As the result was announced, Rosenberg, who was sitting in the middle of the venue, cheered happily.
"It's great. I knew I would definitely win the first group of auction items, two oil paintings by Rembrandt and Bruegel. It's very exciting just thinking about it."
He cheered and celebrated there, while other buyers who participated in the first round of auctions were upset.
"Damn it! I bid 176 million, but it's only 2 million short. What a shame!"
"What's the regret about being short of two million euros? I'm just short of ten thousand euros and lost to that cunning guy in Luxembourg. I'm so unwilling!"
Looking at the many buyers who were either excited or upset, Xiao Ran, who was sitting on the mountain watching the fight between tigers and tigers, had a look of pride in his eyes.
You guys fight well, the harder you fight, the better, so that I can earn more!
