gifted collector

Chapter 469 The Vulnerability of Gems

In the past, Fang Ming believed that the rust color was the most important part in the identification of bronze wares, but as he came into contact with more and more antiques and researched more and more deeply, he found that such a view was unacceptable, because the rust color The conditions of formation vary widely, and there are many factors that are affected.

Therefore, now Fang Ming no longer thinks that rust is the main basis for appraising bronze wares as before.

For example, the bronze wares unearthed in the Shaanxi-Xishang-zhou area, the rust color seems to be like black lacquer, with mercury, malachite, and glass green.In the area of ​​Famen Temple in Qishan, it is relatively dark. Even if there is green rust, there will be black in the middle, and the same is true if there is red rust. It was once grilled by fire.

Another example is that the copper wares from the south of the river are all patina, basically the whole copper wares have green rust, but the color is lighter and the texture is not good, while the bronze wares from the south of the mountain are less hard green , and can even be scraped off with fingers.

In the above two situations, many inexperienced people often think that they are counterfeit copper ware, which can also explain that in fact, there is no way to fully identify the authenticity of copper ware from the aspect of rust color.

Zhou Yafang and Yitong are both experienced people in this field. After hearing Fang Ming's words, they hesitated for a while and finally nodded. What Fang Ming said is indeed reasonable. The traditional way to distinguish rust on copper ware is It can be wiped with alkaline water, but now this method is ineffective to a certain extent, which also proves that it is not realistic to identify copper ware from Fang Ming alone.

"Amitabha, Master Fang, from which aspect do you judge the authenticity of the big Buddha in front of you?"

Yitong found that he did not understand Fang Ming's meaning more and more. At the beginning, he said that it should be from the prosperous Tang Dynasty or the late Tang Dynasty, but later he said it was not true, and now he said that it is impossible to judge the age of a bronze vessel from the copper rust. , Going around, he found himself confused by Fang Ming.

"What I mean is that although the big Buddha in front of you looks real on the surface, it's actually not. Even judging from the copper rust, it's not real."

Zhou Yafang and Yitong didn't speak at this time, they just looked at Fang Ming, they knew that Fang Ming was going to reveal his hole card at this time.

"Master Yitong, before that, I want to ask a question, that is, I saw some decorations on this Buddha statue, that is, there are decorations on the base, are these decorations original?"

The statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in front of us is sitting cross-legged on the altar, surrounded by a ring of decorations, with decorative items on it.

"Yes, that's right, it's malachite and lapis lazuli."

Yitong still didn’t understand Fang Ming’s purpose in asking this question, he just thought that Fang Ming didn’t know much about it, so he asked himself, but this question was appraised by an expert in treasure appraisal before, so he answered it right away, “ The malachite and lapis lazuli are real, and they haven't been tampered with since then."

If the malachite and lapis lazuli on the bronze Buddha statues are assembled, dug out and then installed, no matter how clever the technique is, it is impossible not to leave traces. This is because copper is a relatively soft metal, and it is difficult to install it after digging. It will definitely leave traces.

After looking for a professional expert to read it, he believed that he must have read it correctly.

Nodding lightly, Fang Ming said, "That's where the problem lies."

Fang Ming really didn't know much about the jewelry inlay process, so he asked this question. After getting a positive answer, Fang Ming became more aware of his own judgment, and believed that his judgment would not be wrong.

"Amitabha, this... Donor Fang, I don't quite understand what you are saying."

Yitong has never felt so ignorant as he does today.If I said that the malachite and lapis lazuli were inlaid later, then there is a problem, but now I clearly say that the malachite and lapis lazuli are original, but there is a problem?
Zhou Yafang frowned suddenly, she felt that she had thought of something, but when she thought about it carefully, she couldn't remember what it was.

"Hmm. Yeah, that's where the problem is."

Fang Ming paused for a moment, and then continued: "Casting Buddha statues is not a simple matter. Generally speaking, only rich people can do it. Let alone a three-meter-tall Buddha like the one in front of us." Copper was a precious metal in ancient times. If the copper used for a large Buddha statue is already a sky-high price in terms of value, not to mention labor and so on. Therefore, if such a large Buddha statue was made in the Tang Dynasty, it would be a sky-high price. It costs a lot of money, and it is definitely not something that ordinary people can afford.”

Gently nodded, Yitong and Zhou Yafang knew that what Fang Ming said was not wrong at all, the fact is that, with the ancient economic level and craftsmanship, it is definitely a sky-high price to cast a three-meter-high Buddha statue, and it must be from a wealthy family to be able to afford it.

"So, how can a Buddha statue that costs so much be just inlaid with some malachite and lapis lazuli?"

Malachite is a kind of jade, and lapis lazuli is a kind of gemstone. Although the prices of malachite and lapis lazuli are not low, generally speaking, their prices are not high.

Especially the one inlaid on the Buddha statue in front of me looks decent, but even those who don't have much research on jade and gemstones can see that the price is actually not high.

"Amitabha, I understand."

Yitong has practiced Buddhism for many years, and his heart should be like calm water, but at this moment, he can't wait to slap himself on the forehead.

Why didn't I think of this question myself? !
Such a large Buddha statue cost a lot of money in ancient times, so how could it be possible to inlay such low-grade gemstones on it?

In fact, generally speaking, Buddha statues are inlaid with more precious jade or precious stones, such as gold nuggets or pearls, etc., but imitation Buddha statues are inlaid with malachite and lapis lazuli to reduce costs.

Zhou Yafang also understood at this time, suddenly realized, and said: "It is indeed the case, why didn't we notice this problem?"

In fact, it is normal for Zhou Yafang and Yitong to have such a situation. In the appraisal of antiques, people often have a qualitative thinking, that is, if it is an imitation, it is absolutely impossible to put the flaw in such an obvious place. , so I didn't notice it.

Zhou Yafang, especially Yitong, is an experienced person. When Fang Ming pointed this out, they immediately understood.

Shaking his head, he said, "This is troublesome, this big Buddha... seems to be taken down."

Yitong really doesn't know how to describe his mood now. No matter what he says, he is also a master of appraisal. He once asked someone to appraise this big Buddha. Now it is better, but it turns out to be fake. It can no longer be placed here: If Tonghua Temple is just an ordinary small temple, then there is no problem, but the problem is that Tonghua Temple is not, especially if there is a big celebration soon, in case someone really puts it on that day If this matter is brought out, it will definitely not be able to get off the stage.

As the host of Tonghua Temple, I can't escape the responsibility.

Fang Ming frowned and said, "Master Yitong, do you really want to withdraw?"

The big Buddha in front of me has been placed in Tonghua Temple for several years, and countless people have seen it. If it is withdrawn now, the news will definitely spread, so no matter what kind of excuses are used, it will not make sense.So, this is really a troublesome thing.

"Amitabha, it can only be like this."

His long eyebrows were tightly furrowed, of course he didn't want to see such a situation, but... how else could it be?Wouldn't staying here give the opponent an excuse to attack?And it's one catch one.

How did he know that this was not right?It's just the lighter of two evils.

Fang Ming, Zhou Yafang, and Yitong left the main hall and returned to Yitong's room. After sitting down, they didn't speak for a long time.

"No, this matter has to find a way to balance both sides."

Fang Ming frowned. Although he was not the abbot of Tonghua Temple, Yitong had friendship with him, so he would not stand idly by.

"Amitabha."

Yitong shook his head and said: "I have thought about it, but... there is no good way. Imitation is imitation. In fact, if someone shakes up this matter now, I can't bear it anymore and walk away. "

Fang Ming nodded silently. Yitong was right. If someone really wanted to make Yitong and Tonghua Temple look good, as Yitong said, he hadn't made a move yet, and was just waiting for the day of the celebration.

trouble!

This is indeed a hassle.

"Amitabha, let's put this matter aside for now. By the way, Donor Fang, you came to see me for something, right? What's the matter?"

When Fang Ming called before, he said that there was something to do, but after coming here, he was caught by him to appraise the Buddha. Now the matter has come to a conclusion. Put it aside.

Suddenly he couldn't think of a good way, Fang Ming could only temporarily put aside the matter of the Buddha statue like Yitong, and said, "It's like this, my Guxuanzhai has moved to Dongcheng Street and is about to open, so I want you to choose a good day."

"Amitabha, there is no problem with this matter. How about this, Donor Fang, please give me the birth dates of you and Donor Zhou, and I will pick a date for you now."

"what?"

Fang Ming was stunned for a moment, and said, "You have to choose the birth date? And the two of us?"

"Ah."

Seeing Fang Ming like this, he understood that he was thinking wrong, thinking that it was a matter of getting married and depending on his life.

Zhou Yafang's face also turned red, and she said, "Master Yitong, this..."

"Guxuanzhai is a partnership between the two of you, so if you two have a horoscope, who said you have to get married to get a horoscope?"

Fang Ming had a thick skin, but at this moment he couldn't stand it a little bit, let alone Zhou Yafang, her face was already blushing to the point of bleeding.

(End of this chapter)