Chapter 675: Private Auction (Part II)

……

Looking at the look on Eskenazi's face, Liu Dong could see that this old man's love for Chinese culture and artwork came from the heart and from the bones.

However, in the face of this situation, Liu Dong can't say whether it is good or bad, the good side is that Chinese antiques and artworks can be carefully maintained in the hands of such people, and they also spread Chinese civilization, and the bad side is that it is precisely because of such people that the illegal activities of tomb robbery and smuggling of cultural relics in China have become more and more rampant.

Secretly shook his head, like many of Liu Dong's headaches before, with his current ability and status, he couldn't solve such a problem.

"I wonder if Mr. Liu can satisfy my curiosity as a lover of Chinese culture?" said Eskenazi.

After a little hesitation, Liu Dong nodded, "Of course, if the old gentleman is interested, I can let you see this painting next time you come to China!"

"Thank you very much!"

"I don't need to thank you, but there is another request, I don't know if the old gentleman can agree?" Liu Dong said.

"Tell me?" said Eskenazi with interest.

"Actually, it's not complicated, the younger generation just hopes that when the Chinese cultural relics are auctioned today, the old gentleman can let him take the next step!" Liu Dong hurriedly said.

Does he know that ∈ old man, who has extraordinary eyesight and is proficient in art appraisal and has a number of industries under his control, is not a poor money owner, and Liu Dong, who has seen the Van Gaal Collection, knows very well that the things that can appear on the auction table today are all high-quality.

And after buying the second batch of antiques from Van Gaal, and paying customs duties and various taxes. Liu Dong originally had 78 million euros in his hands. Now there are only about 30 million left.

30 million euros. It sounds like a lot, but in the face of competition from tens of millions of euros of high-quality antiques, Liu Dong still doesn't feel enough.

Especially at auctions with a lot of competitors!

After a moment's thought, Eskenazi said, "I can promise you, but if you can't make it to the last step......!"

"Then this agreement will naturally be null and void!" Liu Dong said directly.

"Okay, then I promised!"

"Thank you very much!" Liu Dong said happily.

Without this old man, he would have one less strong competitor.

"You're welcome, we're mutually beneficial!

……

"Welcome to the Van Gaal family estate this afternoon. Join me in the auction!" After a round of applause, Van Gaal continued: "I know that everyone is short on time, and I would like to see those exquisite works of art that represent the glory of human civilization, so I will not talk nonsense, and invite today's auctioneer, Lucas Mustafi from Sotheby's!"

Van Gaal's words fell, and the middle-aged white man in a fair black suit strode to the specially prepared auction table in the center of the living room.

"Mr. Mustafi is a respected 'white glove' and I believe he will be able to conduct tonight's auction perfectly!" Van Gaal walked on.

"Liu Dong. What are 'white gloves'?" Mei Xue stabbed Liu Dong's arm and said softly.

"The highest honor for the auctioneer profession is to receive a "white glove". It means that an auction has a 100% sell-through rate, representing the highest level of recognition for auctioneers. ”

"That's amazing!" Mei Xue exclaimed.

Smiled and nodded. Liu Dong said in a low voice: "Look, it's about to start!"

After nodding, Mei Xue focused her eyes on the auction table in the center of the living room. At this moment, the first artwork to be auctioned has been shown on a projector on a large screen behind it.

Although there is no on-site verification, most of the people who want to come to the auction today have seen the collection of the Van Gaal family like Liu Dong, and in the face of so many well-known people in society, Van Gaal does not dare to sell fakes.

"The first lot, from the Qianlong Imperial Kiln of the Qing Dynasty in China, is a six-sided vase with a yellow background and a blue and white dragon holding longevity pattern, with a reserve price of 800,000 euros, and each price increase shall not be less than 20,000 euros, now please bid for those who are interested!"

"820,000!" The official kiln of the third dynasty of the Qing Dynasty has always been the favorite of porcelain collectors at home and abroad, and this piece in front of him is a rare boutique, so as soon as the auctioneer's voice fell, the surrounding bidders have become endless.

For this six-sided vase of the Qianlong Imperial Kiln, Liu Dong had seen it with his own eyes in Van Gaal's collection, with a height of nearly 60 cm, an open mouth, a long neck, double dragon ears, full shoulders, a downward collection, and an outward skimming of the feet, slender and beautiful, and solemn. The whole work is based on lemon yellow, decorated with blue and white patterns, with rich patterns and clear layers.

Six edges are painted dragon pattern, double horns and five claws, and for the dragon, the image is mighty, each dragon grabs the pearl with two claws, there is a seal body longevity word, auspicious auspicious celebration. Correspondingly, the six edges of the neck also have a seal body longevity character, which complements each other. The whole work is bright and bright, the yellow glaze is delicate, and the blue and white writing at the bottom of the vessel is "Qianlong Year System of the Qing Dynasty", and the seal script is neat.

If Van Gaal hadn't stayed for the auction, Liu Dong would have bought this favorite porcelain from the Qing Dynasty and the Third Dynasty.

"But it's not too late!"

Thinking of this, Liu Dong raised the No. 18 bidding board in his hand and said loudly: "1.3 million euros!"

Liu Dong's bid instantly increased the original bid price by 200,000 euros, which immediately aroused all kinds of surprises and surprises from the surrounding area.

"I didn't expect Mr. Liu to be so generous, it seems that you are planning to achieve it!" said Eskenazi with a slight surprise.

Liu Dong smiled faintly, although the price of 1.3 million is very high, but it is not a word of generosity, after all, when Christie's Hong Kong auctioned a Qianlong Imperial Kiln hexagonal vase two years ago, the price has reached more than 7 million Hong Kong dollars, and now two years have passed, according to the rising Cheng dù of the art market, I am afraid that it is not uncommon for a piece of the same Qianlong Imperial Kiln hexagonal vase to cost 10 million Chinese coins or even higher!

"The old gentleman has won the prize......!"

As soon as Liu Dong's voice fell, he heard a familiar and annoying voice say loudly: "1.4 million euros!"

Looking at Ichiro Tanaka's provocative eyes, Liu Dong frowned. The person who is most afraid of this at auction is the person who raises the price. In this way, you have to buy your favorite antiques. It often costs more than usual, or even doubles, and if in March, Liu Dong wouldn't mind competing with Ichiro Tanaka for more money, but now it's obviously not possible.

"1.5 million euros!" Liu Dong said after hesitating.

"1.6 million!"

As soon as Liu Dong's voice fell, Fujita Ichiro said without hesitation.

At this time, the people around also began to notice that the two seemed to be on the same page, thinking of the conflict between the two at the beginning. As well as the contradictions between the Chinese and the Japanese, their faces couldn't help but show a look of good play.

However, there were also many Chinese people present, although they basically didn't know Liu Dong, but they obviously didn't want to see their compatriots suffer, but it was inconvenient to remind them because of the occasion.

"1.7 million euros!" Liu Dong frowned.

Perhaps seeing the entanglement on Liu Dong's face, Ichiro Tanaka 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!"

By the time Liu Dong finished comforting Mei Xue, Ichiro Tanaka had already raised the price to a high price of 2 million euros!

"2.05 million euros!"

"2.2 million euros!" followed Ichiro Tanaka.

After noticing that everyone's eyes were focused on him again, Liu Dong smiled faintly, and the bidding sign in his hand was not raised again.

He's not stupid. Naturally, I knew that Ichiro Tanaka just saw that he liked this porcelain and wanted to raise the price. Let yourself spend money to buy it, so that you can be embarrassed in front of others, and avenge the previous humiliation.

Liu Dongdang can't let him get his wish, and 2.2 million euros is equivalent to 16 million Huaxia coins, if you talk about bargaining, it is enough to buy two pieces of Qing Dynasty and three dynasties imperial kilns in general antique shops, and there is no need to die to save face when your economy is not rich!

"Guys, what do you want me to do? The price of 2.2 million euros is too high, I give up!" Liu Dong smiled indifferently.

Hearing this, most people, including Eskenazi on the other side, showed a look of surprise in their eyes.

After all, Liu Dong's appearance of this Qianlong Imperial Kiln hexagonal bottle was bound to be obtained before, but now they suddenly retreated bravely, and their faces were light and breezy, which was somewhat unbelievable.

Young people in their early twenties shouldn't be young and vigorous, and they won't admit defeat, right, when did they become so urban?

"Mr. 9 is bidding 2.2 million euros, is there a higher bid?" the auctioneer immediately said loudly after reacting.

However, no one is a fool, and they all have to increase the price for 2.2 million euros, so after the auctioneer dropped the hammer, this 'Qing Dynasty Qianlong Imperial Kiln Yellow Background Blue and White Zhenglong Holding Shou Pattern Hexagonal Vase' fell into the hands of Ichiro Tanaka, who was not so good-looking!

Of course, I originally wanted to pit Liu Dong, but on the other hand, he was cheated by others, and it was strange that Ichiro Tanaka had a good-looking face.

However, seeing that a piece of porcelain that he was originally determined to obtain had no choice but to give up, Liu Dong was also very regretful in his heart.

"I didn't expect Mr. Liu to have such determination and courage at such a young age, which is very surprising!" said Eskenazi.

"Compared to the old gentleman, I still have a lot to learn!" Liu Dong said indifferently.

After nodding, Eskenazi glanced at Liu Dong deeply before turning his head and continuing to look at the auction table.

At this time, the second lot has appeared on the projector, a pigeon's blood red ring of at least 15 carats or more!

"This is a ruby ring from King Louis XIV of France to his queen of Spain, Marie-Thérèse, at a low price of 580,000 euros, now please bid!"

Even if Liu Dong is Chinese, he is no stranger to Louis XIV, who made the Kingdom of France the most powerful country in Europe at that time with his eloquence and martial arts, and made French the lingua franca of the entire European diplomacy and high society for two centuries, making himself one of the greatest monarchs in the history of France and one of the longest-ruling monarchs in the history of the world. (To be continued......)