gifted collector

Chapter 269

"Chengxintang paper? What kind of paper is this?"

Liu Hanyan had already been attracted by the characteristics of the famous papers that Fang Ming and Song Xue mentioned, especially the "legendary" stories. At this time, she was like a curious baby, and she also took the initiative to pick up the coffee pot and pour coffee for Fang Ming.

"The so-called Chengxintang paper refers to a kind of rice paper produced in the Weizhou area of ​​the Southern Tang Dynasty. Because it is as thin as a film, as firm as jade, and as smooth as jade, even if it is a length of [-] feet, it will be covered from beginning to end. The color is uniform without change, and the thickness is the same, which is extremely rare. Li Yu, the empress of the Southern Tang Dynasty, especially liked this kind of paper, and especially used Chengxintang, the ground where he read and reviewed memorials, to collect such paper. The paper used is called "Chengxintang" paper. This kind of paper is not only beautiful in texture, but also has surpassed the level of paper as a writing tool and has become a kind of art. At the same time, due to This kind of paper is rarely handed down from generation to generation, so its value is extremely precious."

"Oh, why are you so sure that this is Chengxintang's paper?"

Song Xue's heart tightened when she heard Fang Ming's words. The reason why she bought this batch of paper worth three knives before was because she thought it was Chengxintang paper. After buying it, she also used this batch of paper for painting and calligraphy. In terms of characteristics, it really looks like Chengxintangzhi, but she is not an expert in appraisal after all, so she is naturally not sure.

At this moment, even after hearing Fang Ming's certainty, he still wanted to get to the bottom of it.

Since the Tang and Song Dynasties, the paper used for calligraphy, painting, book letters, etc. has been relatively common, and because of the different raw materials and craftsmanship used in various papers, their properties are often quite different. "Thousand-year birthday paper", but with the passage of time, these papers still show the aging degree and characteristics of different eras, which is the basis for collecting identification papers.

"The paper of Chengxintang has its special characteristics."

Fang Ming thought about it for a while and took out a high-power magnifying glass from his pocket. Although he said that he had a supernatural power, he has now developed the habit of carrying a high-power magnifying glass with him for convenience—this is also a way to collect antiques. One of the common equipment for people.

Handing the magnifying glass to Song Xue, Fang Ming said, "Look at the surface of this paper yourself, and see what's special, especially the texture."

Song Xue took the magnifying glass and took it over to carefully observe the paper. After a while, she raised her head and said, "The lines on it seem to be slanted to one side, as if there are dragons and phoenixes flying around."

Fang Ming nodded and said, "Yes, that's right. This is one of the characteristics of Chengxintang paper. At the same time, the Song version of the paper is relatively soft. If we hold this paper in our hands, it will be ready immediately." feel that quality.”

"Really? Let me see."

Liu Hanyan "snatched" the magnifying glass from Song Xue's hand while talking, and after looking at it for a while, he said in surprise, "It's actually true? Could it be that all Chengxintang's paper has this feature?"

"Well, yes, these are the external characteristics of Chengxintang paper."

Liu Hanyan frowned immediately, and said, "Just now you said that the paper of Chengxintang Paper is very expensive, and now that science and technology are so advanced, can it be imitated? If there is such a paper imitating silk , how did you identify it?"

Although Liu Hanyan doesn't collect antiques, the question she asked hits the nail on the head, so Song Xue's ears immediately perked up. In fact, this is also her biggest doubt. After all, the current science and technology are much more advanced than before. There are too many, can it be said that it is still impossible to make paper with lines slanted to one side and hidden dragons and phoenixes?

Shaking his head, Fang Ming smiled and said, "Of course it's not that simple. If you want to identify whether it's genuine Chengxintang's paper, the one just mentioned is a characteristic, but you still need to combine other characteristics to make a comprehensive judgment. For example, the grain of Yuan Dynasty paper was fine and relatively thin, and because of the use of glue alum, calligraphy and painting in this era were more likely to be damaged. In the Ming Dynasty, paper produced with glue alum only appeared in the Xuande period. This Just as an example, when it comes to Chengxintang paper, we need to combine some other characteristics. For example, ancient paper is usually made of silk or hemp as raw materials, so that it forms relatively long fibers, and the texture is very different. It is far less fine-grained than the current paper, and the surface is not as flat as the current paper. In fact, if you look at it with a magnifying glass, you will find that the surface of the piece of paper in front of you is like a layer of film has been peeled off. Ordinary, and it’s like being bitten by a bug, and there is a layer of white ash at the same time, the color of the paper is the same no matter whether it is dark or light, thick or thin, inside and outside, there is no difference.”

"This is because the ancient paper has been handed down to the present, and it has been formed naturally over a long period of time. If it is modern high-imitation paper, it is either due to the use of current raw materials, or the use of modern machines, fiber In terms of aspect, flatness, and color, because it is dyed by dyes, the color will be different. Generally speaking, no matter how high the imitation paper is, it will always show its flaws in these subtle places. of."

Only then did Liu Hanyan and Song Xue suddenly realize that the seemingly ordinary paper has so many ways.

"Don't underestimate the key points of these identifications. For example, on the issue of whether the surface of the paper is smooth or not, modern people have long since lacked the technology of the predecessors, and at the same time they have long been accustomed to machines, so they are making high imitation paper. I always use machines to complete it habitually, so I immediately show my flaws."

"For example, in terms of dyeing, modern technology is advanced enough, but no matter how advanced it is, it is impossible to achieve uniform dyeing under a magnifying glass. Naturally, things that have come over time will not work. It is impossible to imitate any kind of machine or technology.”

Liu Hanyan and Song Xue nodded one after another. Fang Ming was right. Technology is of course powerful, but that doesn't mean it can do everything.

"It seems that I am indeed Chengxintang's paper!"

Song Xue laughed happily. Chengxintang's paper is the most perfect calligraphy and painting paper for calligraphers and painters. She accidentally bought three knives, which is no different from a big pie falling from the sky!
Seeing Song Xue so excited, Fang Ming also smiled.He knew Song Xue was not because of the value of these papers, but because calligraphers and painters often like old paper.

Compared with new paper, old paper has better processing technology, and uses pure natural raw materials. At the same time, the fermentation time is long enough during production and after production, and the quality is naturally incomparable.

More importantly, after decades or even hundreds of years of storage, the limestone and relatively small debris on the surface of old paper have already fallen off or weathered naturally—these things are invisible to the naked eye, but they are It has a great influence on calligraphy and painting - the paper becomes softer and more delicate, which is conducive to the expression of color and ink.This is because for calligraphers and painters, it is difficult to write on paper that is too astringent, while paper that is too slippery makes people feel like running on ice, and if they are not careful, they will run too far or cannot stop.If you can control it freely, you will naturally be unable to write or draw good works.

And these problems can be avoided to the greatest extent on old paper. Now Song Xue is not only getting old paper, but also Chengxintang paper with the best quality among old papers. How could she be unhappy?
"But having said that, there was a time in the history of our country that the quality of high imitation paper was quite good."

Fang Ming's words immediately attracted the attention of Liu Hanyan and Song Xue.

"Which dynasty?"

"In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, especially since the Qing Dynasty, the imitation of famous paper in history is very famous. Some of the famous paper we just mentioned, such as Chengxintang paper and Xuetao paper, have been imitated. However, the imitated paper at this time It has its own characteristics."

"For example, Chengxintang paper is mainly in the form of fighting squares. The paper is relatively thick and can even be peeled off in layers. It is mostly pink, with painted landscapes, flowers and birds, etc. painted on it, as well as rectangular official script red. The printed text was increased to "Imitation of Chengxintang paper in the year of Qianlong". As for Xuetao paper, it was a rectangular pink note at this time, and it was also printed like the imitation of Chengxintang paper. , and the printed text is 'Xue Taojian', which is mostly used as letter paper."

"Besides, there are imitation Jinsu Tibetan Buddhist scriptures paper and Mingren Temple paper. The quality of the imitated paper at this time is very good, and there are often small imitation seals on it. From this perspective, we can see the The high imitation makers are still very professional."

Speaking of this, Fang Ming himself laughed. This kind of behavior is like a fake person clearly marking the price on the fake thing, so that people can tell that it is an imitation. People nowadays are not so good. "Conscience", I can't wait for people to see that this is fake.

"correct."

Looking at the paper on the table, Fang Ming's heart suddenly moved, and he said, "Comrade Song Xue, I lent you the inkstone, and you just promised to give me a picture or something. When I draw, I have to use this Chengxin Tang's paper, this kind of paper can definitely last for a thousand years, I want to pass it on to my descendants, after hundreds of years, it must be a loan product."

Liu Hanyan was overjoyed, and said, "Fang Ming, this is a good idea of ​​yours."

"Hey hey, I'm a businessman, so naturally I have to be smart, right?"

As Fang Ming said, he fixedly looked at Song Xue.

Song Xue originally thought about not agreeing, but when she saw Fang Ming's posture, it clearly meant that if you didn't agree, I wouldn't borrow the inkstone. In the end, she could only nod helplessly and said, "Okay .”


(End of this chapter)