In the conference room of Christie's Hong Kong.

Shen Yangling handed Zhang Yang a list of lots.

Thick, dozens of pages.

Each page contains a photograph of the lot, a brief description of the lot, and an estimate.

This is what they have drawn up internally, and this summer auction is the lot.

This auction is the Christie's Shenghai Evening Sale.

It's not a big auction.

It can only be regarded as the closing session of Christie's summer auction.

"To tell you the truth, Master Zhang, our previous development in Shenghai was very bad."

Shen Yangling introduced Zhang Yang with a bitter face.

Every time she introduces this event, it brings back painful memories of her failures.

In the 10 years since Christie's entered the mainland market, it has changed venues three times, fired four general managers in China, and suspended for three years.

With so many ups and downs, if it were a start-up company, it could basically be sentenced to death.

But they are Christie's, one of the two largest auction houses in the world.

So they're still struggling, and they're even trying to roll over.

This Shenghai evening special is an attempt by them.

"There are 160 lots in this booklet, and our goal is to sell 50 to 60 pieces."

"Fifty pieces? How is it so much? ”

Zhang Yang was surprised by the number of lots.

Given Christie's size, it's already strange to have an evening sale in an international metropolis like Shenghai.

Normally, it should be divided into several days and several venues.

As a result, even the number of lots is so small?

Not to mention two or three hundred, at least more than a hundred, right?

"This is because we have just obtained the qualification for the auction of cultural relics this year, and we dare not take too big a step."

"Before, when we were in Shenghai, we could only auction artworks."

Shen Yangling came over and helped Zhang Yang turn to the front of the booklet.

The above is a brief overview of the auction results for 22 years.

Zhang Yang looked at it, good guy, and he actually took 40 pieces.

However, the turnover is a bit of a stake, with 220 million yuan.

But when I looked at the lot, I was happy.

All the masters of abstraction, the closest to reality is Picasso, whose works have not been auctioned.

The co-authorship is an abstract special.

It is indeed easy to fetch a high price, and there is a lack of such legal whitewashing occasions in China.

"Can Picasso's paintings go unauctioned?"

Zhang Yang looked at Shen Yangling with a little curiosity.

The failure of the auction is the biggest denial to the auction organizers.

Not only does it mean a waste of resources for publicity and the location of the lot, but there are even expensive storage fees, shipping costs, and insurance.

To this, Shen Yangling replied with a wry smile:

"This is a problem with the market research in the early stage."

"That's why this time, we insisted on finding someone who understands the mainland antique market to help us choose."

"Understood."

Zhang Yang nodded with a smile and joked:

"Then the burden on my body is a bit heavy."

"Curator Zhang, don't worry, we won't let you suffer."

"Don't worry, of course I'm relieved."

"Okay, let's stop talking nonsense, let's start with these East Asian artifacts."

Zhang Yang stood up and said.

Shen Yangling politely made a gesture of please.

On the way to the warehouse, Zhang Yang browsed the entire catalogue.

Don't look at more than a hundred pieces, there are quite a lot of categories.

And the valuation of each piece is not low.

It is estimated that in Shen Yangling's view, it is a situation where "the palms and backs of the hands are full of meat".

Otherwise, Zhang Yang would not be given a pre-selection list with an elimination rate of more than 60%.

In the pre-selection list, East Asian artifacts are the least.

After all, if you count antiques, in addition to China, there are two countries in East Asia: Goryeo and Dongying.

Although there are few things, the high quality is a bit beyond the imagination of the public.

This "quality" refers primarily to the valuation aspect.

At the top of the list of estimates is a white-glazed moon jar.

From the Goryeo region of the 18th century.

Christie's gave an estimate of 14 million RMB.

The starting price is generally lower than the estimate, but it is certainly more than 10 million.

To be honest, from the perspective of showing off his oriental aesthetics, this white porcelain jar is really not good.

If you write an identification statement, it is:

The shape is asymmetrical and skewed;

The circle foot is too small, so that the center of gravity is not stable;

The embryo is not neat enough, and the enamel is not pure.

In ancient China, this was a kiln waste or defective product.

But how to put it, maybe sometimes it is a kind of beauty to be incomplete.

In the eyes of Chinese ceramic connoisseurs, this kind of white porcelain, which is considered defective, is the favorite of modern Western designers.

In addition, this kind of porcelain itself is very rare, and there are no more than twenty pieces in the world at present, so it has been speculated on sky-high prices in recent years.

In fact, there are no more than twenty pieces, and it has a reason to be hyped.

Anyway, the valuation of 14 million is really not arbitrary.

Sothebuis once held a special auction for a white glazed moon jar of the same type, and the whole auction was for this one.

"Master Zhang, do you think this is okay?"

Shen Yangling asked in a low voice, she was a little worried about being arrogant.

After all, many mainland collectors she had met before scoffed at this kind of auction from East Asia.

It's a bit unprofessional.

"It's okay, TBD."

Zhang Yang drew a question mark on the roster.

"If there is no better lot, this one will be fine. Some people in China are still interested in this kind of porcelain with high international recognition. ”

"Because it is not only valuable, but also not restricted by the domestic cultural relics policy, it can be traded freely."

"Oh, I see, this thing can be used as a gift." Shen Yangling suddenly realized.

"This ...... There's no need to expand on it. ”

"You just know for yourself, let's move on."

The second East Asian artifact that Zhang Yang looks at is a painting by Katsushika Hokusai.

Estimate: 5 million RMB.

The neon painter still has this strength?

Zhang Yang was a little curious.

But when I walked to the showcase, I looked at the contents of the painting.

Is it this painting? That's fine.

Zhang Yang has no impression of neon painters and artists.

But this painting gives people a very familiar feeling, as if they have seen it somewhere.

It is estimated that a later cartoonist paid tribute to this painting.

For this painting, Zhang Yang also gave a "to be determined".

Underneath this painting is another type of Goryeo porcelain.

This time, Zhang Yang drew a cross directly in the back.

This kind of thing that is not too valuable, not too rare, and is not as good-looking as the porcelain of the three generations of the Qing Dynasty in the same period, is it really not worthy of auction?

There is really nothing to steal from the countrymen, and this kind of thing has to be sent to the auction.

Zhang Yang directly gave all the forks to the painting.

Of course, his reasons are very valid:

"In fact, in the eyes of domestic people, Goryeo porcelain is a separate species, which is probably equivalent to the Kangxi blue and white general jar."

"One masterpiece is enough."

"As for neon stuff, let's leave it to the auction in Tokyo, there is absolutely no market in Shenghai."

"Understood." Shen Yangling nodded.

She also instructed the female assistant who followed next to her to write down what Zhang Yang said.

The valuable content of these words was discussed at a meeting they would later meet.

Dealing with the cultural relics of East Asia, Zhang Yang's attention was attracted by European cultural relics.

At the top of the list of estimates is an Egyptian bronze cat.

It was cast in the Ptolemaic period (c. 332-30 BC), which is equivalent to the Western Han Dynasty in China.

The thing is not expensive, and the estimated price is only 6 million RMB.

It is definitely within the acceptable range of some collectors in China.

But Zhang Yang is not concerned about this, but in the source of the item information, one of which shows:

It was stolen from a museum somewhere in Egypt by a man from Ahmed and given to a British collector.

It happened just a few months ago.

Zhang Yang glanced at Shen Yangling suspiciously.

Shen Yangling was very sensitive, and immediately asked him after noticing Zhang Yang's eyes:

"Is there something wrong with this thing?"

"When you collect lots, do you check the provenance of things?" Zhang Yang asked rhetorically.

"Of course there is, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing, it's just that I think bronze cats like this are usually inside the pyramids, aren't they?"

Zhang Yang deliberately didn't tell the truth, he wanted to know what was going on.

"That was a long time ago."

Shen Yangling explained with a smile:

"Like this lot, it was sent for auction by our senior members in Europe."

"This member is a big collector in his own right, he used to be an employee of the British Museum, and he has never gone wrong with the lots he has sent for auction over the years......

"So if you investigate the origin, you won't just ask this member, right?" Zhang Yang asked rhetorically.

"I can't say the same, our investigation is quite rigorous."

Shen Yangling wanted to explain, but in the face of the facts, her explanation seemed a little pale and weak.

"Okay, I see." Zhang Yang nodded.

Since people are so sure that they have investigated, then he has nothing to say.

It is not certain whether the so-called Christie's member is a real person or not.

What if it's Christie's white gloves?

Go ahead.

Zhang Yang looked at more than 20 Greek, European, and Egyptian antiques in a row, and none of them could be eye-catching.

The value is low, and the recognition is so bad that he can't even recognize it.

These things, at the preview, except for the golden mask, should not have been seen by anyone else.

Zhang Yang put a question mark on the golden mask of ancient Greece, and the rest were all denied.

In addition to the East Asian artifacts that had been rejected before, the 160 lots that participated in the pre-selection were soon to be removed.

Only one hundred and eight pieces remained.

But the next choice will be more difficult, because they are all traditional Chinese cultural relics.

One out of every two pieces must be eliminated.

"Don't you really think about expanding the number?"

Zhang Yang wanted to be lazy, so he asked Shen Yangling a question, and explained:

"In my opinion, these things have the value of being auctioned, and in Shenghai, as long as your starting price is set well, it should not be unauctioned."

"Master Zhang, I'll tell you too."

Shen Yangling walked next to Zhang Yang and whispered in his ear:

"The cultural relics business permit for this auction is temporary, and the leaders who approved it to us specially instructed us not to auction too much."

"Low-key."

"Try to take the boutique route."

"So that's the case, is the leader of the approval surnamed Chu?" Zhang Yang asked.

Although Lao Chu has retired, before him and Xiao Chu, there is still a "Zhong Chu", and he should also be in an important position in the Cultural Relics Bureau.

It's just that because of seniority, I can't say anything.

Zhang Yang was actually very curious about where "Zhongchu" was, but Lao Chu didn't mention it, and Xiao Chu deliberately didn't say it.

He still doesn't know the result.

"It seems that there is a person surnamed Chu, but he is responsible for the filing of the lot, and I once sent him information."

"Oh, that's supposed to be the person who manages the artifacts on sale."

Zhang Yang nodded, and understood in his heart why Lao Chu didn't mention his nephew.

It turned out to be working in a civilian position in the marginal sector.

However, this can also show that people really don't rely on relationships, otherwise they would have changed departments long ago.

"Okay, since there are requirements above, it's really not good to violate."

Zhang Yang nodded and began to look at the lot with the highest estimate.

A piece of the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, blue and white entwined branches and four seasons of flower patterns folded along the wash.

After reading the crooked melon and cracked jujube of the Goryeo Kingdom just now, let's look at the traditional blue and white porcelain.

It's a treat for Zhang Yang.

Especially the blue and white porcelain of Ming Yongle.

Of course, if you want to have this kind of enjoyment all the time, you need to pay at least 25 million.

And that's just the estimate.

Zhang Yang estimated that the transaction price must be above 30 million.

The reason is very simple, this is really a piece of the Forbidden City, and a piece here.

It's just that the fate of the same type of thing is completely different.

During the Yongle period, this piece was taken out to sea by Zheng He and transported to what is now India.

Later, he moved to England.

In fact, you can also see the famous hall by looking at the type of vessel, which is not found in traditional Chinese porcelain.

Incorporating some of the styles of the Islamic region of West Asia.

The earliest excavation of this artifact was in West Asia.

Looking at the official information given by Christie's, there is also a similar collection in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul.

That's 30 million treasures.

Zhang Yang suddenly felt that before Cheng Erye, the idea of trying to find a baby in West Asia made a little sense.

There's a real chance there's a baby over there.

It's up to you to have that luck.

If you do, you will have no worries about food and clothing for a lifetime.

Under this blue and white folded side wash, the second place in the valuation is a [blue and white glaze red cloud sea Tenglong pattern celestial ball bottle], Yongzheng official kiln, six-character regular script.

Estimate: 18 million.

"That's a bit underestimated."

"The blue and white porcelain with red glaze is still such a complete celestial globe bottle, less than 25 million, and it is the price of cabbage."

After Zhang Yang finished his evaluation, he glanced at Shen Yangling.

"Is there something flawed in this thing? Is there a problem with the underlying tire? ”

"Yes." Shen Yangling nodded and explained, "There was a problem with this thing when it was transported. ”

"Then do you know why something went wrong?" Zhang Yang asked rhetorically.

"I don't know."

"Actually, I don't know."

Zhang Yang smiled.

I wanted to say it, but after thinking about it, forget it.

This item was originally stored in Prince Zhuang's mansion, but in 1900, Prince Zhuang's mansion was burned down by a fire.

This glaze-red celestial globe bottle remained.

However, it is estimated that in 1901, the sea navigation conditions in Britain were not very good, and a piece of the east and west feet were knocked off.

Zhang Yang looked at the various Qing Dynasty imperial cultural relics on the list, and the sellers were basically from Europe.

He suddenly understood:

Why has it always been a Christie's cultural relics auction qualification before?

Because the source is not good.

Zhang Yangxin said, look at these old collections of the Qing Palace, this is an auction.

This is clearly a return of stolen goods. (End of chapter)