The shape of the hand cup is a bit like a Sancai bowl without a lid and cup holder, except that the mouth is not that big, and the abdominal wall is almost vertical. The slightly outward rim of the mouth just presses against the edge of the hand, not too big, not too small, and fits firmly. Hand, that’s why it’s called a hand cup.
As for why Boss Jiang and Wei Ruixiang didn't see the clue, the reason is very simple. It's that the pair of hand cups are too dirty, and the water bowl has too many shapes, and they are mixed with the elegant utensils of the study. Blinded.
Of course, this is also related to the fact that the hand-pressed cups from the Yongzheng period were too plain. It is really difficult to tell that they are doucai without looking carefully. If it were replaced by the bright red and green ones from the Qianlong period, he would definitely be the most handsome boy in the crowd...
Wei Ruixiang was completely convinced. These two doucai hand cups could be sold for at least one million. He Ren only spent four million to buy a bunch of things. No, there was also the Kangxi Songhua stone inkstone. Just by picking up He Ren, he picked up more than one million. It's really infuriating...
While the two were talking, the door was pushed open. He Ren saw an old man in his sixties with gray hair. He must have been the old man Xue mentioned by Wei Ruixiang.
I lowered my head and glanced at my watch. It was less than forty minutes from the time Wei Ruixiang called to the time Mr. Xue arrived. It seemed that Mr. Xue really loved the Buddha statue.
Sure enough, Mr. Xue greeted him as soon as he entered the room, "Xiao Wei, where is the Xuande Buddha statue you mentioned?"
Wei Ruixiang supported Mr. Xue, who was blushing, as he was afraid that he would go directly over. "Mr. Xue, please sit down first, drink tea, and then speak slowly. The Buddha statue cannot run away."
"What do you know? This is a statue of Yongxuan!"
He Ren really understood that the so-called Yongxuan statues refer to the officially produced Tibetan Buddhist statues from Yongle to Xuande for more than thirty years, also called Yongxuan palace statues.
Although there was Hong Xi between Yongle and Xuande, he was automatically ignored after only one year.
Beginning in the Yongle period, Zhu Di, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, established a "Buddha Works" specializing in the production of Buddha statues in the palace, which was subordinate to the "Queen's Supervisor".
At that time, it was an important period for the Ming Dynasty to manage Tubo. Zhu Di's purpose was to win over the top Tibetan officials, so he rewarded them with a large number of precious gifts, of which palace statues were an important part.
As we all know, the craftsmen of the Ming Dynasty were quite good. When they were making Buddha statues, they developed a new style of Buddha statue, which perfectly integrated the art of Tubo and the Central Plains. That’s why the Yongxuan statue is so precious. .
After taking a few breaths, Mr. Xue stood up and almost jumped directly onto the Buddha statue. Just when He Ren was about to help him, Mr. Xue steadied himself and roughly removed the gloves from Wei Ruixiang's hands. He pulled it off, put it on himself, and then observed it carefully.
Wei Ruixiang was helpless, but he still wanted to praise Mr. Xue, "Mr. Xue, Brother He and I don't know much about Buddhist statues. Why don't you explain it to us?"
Mr. Xue complained angrily, "I don't know why I can still buy a statue of Yongxuan? I'm really lucky!"
Wei Ruixiang rolled his eyes, "I didn't buy it, it was brother He..."
Mr. Xue then raised his head and glanced at He Ren, with a spring breeze-like smile on his face, "Young man is very lucky, unlike Xiao Wei, he is like a bright light."
Wei Ruixiang was numb and wanted to slap himself twice. Why did he call Mr. Xue when he had nothing to do? Isn’t this making yourself uncomfortable?
But after thinking about it, if he didn't call Mr. Xue, Mr. Xue would probably come to his door and slap him...
He Ren saw Wei Ruixiang's defeat and thought it was funny, but he still helped to save the situation, "Mr. Xue, I'm really not too optimistic about it. Why don't you tell us about it?"
"You dare to take action even if you don't expect it?"
"It's less than 300,000 yuan, even if it's a genuine imitation, it's still worth it."
"How much?" Mr. Xue exclaimed, then slapped his thigh, "Why can't I encounter such a good thing?"
Just when He Ren didn't know what to say, Mr. Xue sighed, "Forget it, I will tell you about it. I can confirm that it is the Buddha statue from the Xuande period."
He Ren and Wei Ruixiang were both moved. This time it was a big mistake.
Mr. Xue didn't know what they were thinking, but his hand was already pointing to the open face of the Buddha statue. "Look, the biggest feature of Yongxuan's statue is the plump and straight face, wide shoulders and thin waist."
He Ren and Wei Ruixiang looked at it carefully and found that, as Mr. Xue said, this seated statue of Manjushri Bodhisattva is just like this, with an upright face, a solemn expression, broad shoulders, and a tight waist...
"After looking at the look, you have to look at the decorations. Pay attention to the decorations on the chest and waist, which are called Lianzhu Yingluo. There are large silk ribbons on the shoulders, and there are also decorations on the hands and feet. Look at the smoothness and naturalness. The texture is beyond the reach of ordinary imitations.”
"Then there is this lotus seat, with full petals, three round beads on it, and a circle of beads of the same size around the edge."
"There is another important feature that distinguishes Yongle and Xuande period statues..."
Wei Ruixiang interrupted at this time, "Looking at the money?"
"The taste of a man depends on his figure!"
He Ren was confused now, "Look at your figure?"
Mr. Xue smiled slightly and said, "Yes, the statues from the Xuande period are plumper and the lotus petals are fatter."
"Of course, these are relatively easy to imitate, but some craftsmen don't know and it's easy to make mistakes. The most difficult thing is the production process. The Yongxuan statue uses the lost wax method. It is cast as a whole, without any traces of separate casting or welding. Most imitations are made of red copper and still have welding marks because their technology is not up to standard.”
He Ren and Wei Ruixiang were convinced that Mr. Xue was indeed a specialist in Buddhist statues, but He Ren asked, "Mr. Xue, I heard that the statues from the Yongle period were more expensive?"
"That's right." Mr. Xue nodded, "Generally speaking, this is the case, because the craftsmanship in the Yongle period was more exquisite. In the Xuande period, I don't know whether it was due to a change of craftsmen or lack of funds, so the workmanship of the statues was relatively rough."
"But your Buddha statue is different. The craftsmanship is comparable to that of the Yongle period. It can be said to be the most exquisite Xuande statue I have ever seen. This is very precious."
The eyes of He Ren and Wei Ruixiang both lit up. Wei Ruixiang was the first to ask, "Mr. Xue, how much is this Buddha statue worth?"
"At least six million. If it goes up for auction, it may reach eight figures." Mr. Xue said here and shook his head. "Unfortunately, it is Manjusri Bodhisattva. If it were replaced by Guanyin Bodhisattva or Sakyamuni, it would be at least tens of millions." .”
He Renke didn't feel it was a pity at all. Six million was already not low. He only spent more than two hundred thousand. How much was too much?
Wei Ruixiang had a strange expression. He Ren was so lucky, right? It’s only been a while, and not only has the money I spent been recovered, but I can also earn millions. With such luck, why should I open a store? How good would it be to go out and pick up leaks every day?
He Ren pointed to the two gods of wealth and asked, "Mr. Xue, these two..."
"It's worthless." Mr. Xue glanced at it and then looked away, "It's from the middle and late Qing Dynasty. The craftsmanship is average. It didn't come from the palace. It costs three to four hundred thousand."
He Ren nodded, he was very satisfied...
