"In the outer area, there are interlaced grape branches, flying birds, walking animals, bees and butterflies. The edges are decorated with a circle of petals. The soft and long branches, stretched flowers and leaves, abundant fruits, vivid auspicious animals and flying birds, bees and butterflies form a charming pattern."
"Technical craftsmanship like this also has historical legends. The auspicious animal and grape mirrors were mainly popular during the reigns of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty and Empress Wu Zetian, which was the heyday of the Tang Dynasty."
"However, the names of this kind of mirror are quite confusing. For example, people have long called it the seahorse grape mirror according to the Bogu Tulu, and the Xiqing Gujian called it the sea beast grape mirror. Other names include the bird beast grape mirror and the phoenix beast grape mirror. Different folk customs have different names."
"Bronze mirrors like these have different shapes, but the longest sword is mainly round, with a few being square or diamond-shaped. The main decoration is composed of four or five auspicious animals and grape branches."
Lin Han analyzed silently.
"In that case, perhaps the price won't be too high?"
Mr. Zhou asked.
"I haven't finished yet. There are many different opinions on the origin and meaning of the auspicious beast and grape combination in the Tang Dynasty. The first one is as stated in the "Jinshi Suo": "The meaning of seahorse and rambutan is unknown in Bogutu. Maybe it is derived from the celestial horse coming from the westernmost part and Zhang Qian's mission to the western regions to bring back rambutan?"
"However, this may be a speculation, and its authenticity cannot be confirmed yet, but it is generally believed that the decorative configuration of this grape mirror is...
"The modern ones are the combination of grape patterns, which were already popular in China at the end of the Six Dynasties, with the four gods and twelve zodiac mirrors or the four beast mirrors, five beast mirrors, six beast mirrors and other patterns, and they are freely transformed."
"Documents prove that grape cultivation and the use of grapes as patterns were already quite popular in the Tang Dynasty. Auspicious animal patterns have their own tradition in China and were quite popular on mirrors during the Six Dynasties, Sui Dynasty and early Tang Dynasty. These two patterns merged into one in the relaxed cultural atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty, becoming the bronze mirrors with the most Tang Dynasty characteristics."
"In this case, the value of this bronze mirror with auspicious beast and grape patterns will definitely not be less than 200 million!"
"My guess is that the price is between 235 million and 255 million."
Lin Han gave Mr. Zhou a detailed analysis.
If the treasure appraisers on both sides did not play tricks on each other during the treasure appraisal process, Mr. Zhou and Mr. Bai would have less opportunities to learn from each other and would not be able to see the flaws of each other.
In this case, it would not be easy for Master Zhou and Master Bai to obtain a lot of useful information through this.
At this time, the treasure appraisers of both sides need to show their skills and provide useful information to Mr. Zhou and Mr. Bai to determine the final value of this bronze mirror with auspicious beast and grape patterns.
"So, when should I stop?"
After listening to Lin Han's analysis, Mr. Zhou couldn't help but ask.
There are only the last three rounds left in the treasure appraisal auction. Now both Mr. Zhou and Mr. Bai have a chance to win, but their victory is uncertain. They may fail because of one round difference.
Therefore, the two of them had to be extremely careful and cautious in every game and every step to avoid any mistakes.
The only people who can prevent them from making mistakes are the treasure appraisers on both sides. Therefore, not only Mr. Zhou and Mr. Bai, but also the treasure appraisers on both sides are under great pressure now.
They also need to have strong enough judgment to allow Mr. Zhou and Mr. Bai to determine a certain price.
"Stop at 300 million. Don't make the difference too big the first time, otherwise, it will easily backfire."
Lin Han said.
The bargaining phase ends and the bidding phase begins.
"One hundred million!"
"One hundred and thirty million!"
"Two hundred million!"
"Two hundred and forty million!"
…
"Three hundred and thirty million!"
In the end, this bronze mirror with auspicious beast and grape patterns was bought by Mr. Bai for 335 million.
"The actual price of this bronze mirror with auspicious beasts and grape patterns is 255 million~!"
Master Mu announced the price of the bronze mirror with auspicious beast and grape pattern in the final episode.
Although the bronze mirror with auspicious beasts and grape patterns was won by Mr. Bai, the final difference reached 80 million.
Adding the previous difference, Mr. Bai’s difference in the first item almost reached 100 million.
Although it is not difficult to widen such a gap, it is still difficult to widen it completely.
After all, Lin Han is not a simple person, so how could he let Mr. Bai easily make up the difference?
Although Mr. Bai won the bronze mirror with auspicious beast and grape pattern with such a huge difference in price, it was not too much of a psychological burden for him.
No matter how big the difference in the first item is, Mr. Bai still has the advantage in the second and third items.
"The farce of the eighth round is over, and now we will start the treasure appraisal and auction of the ninth round."
"The item being auctioned in the ninth round is a gilded bronze statue of Guanyin, which dates back to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the Wuyue period."
"Master Lin, what do you think about this thing?"
After more than five minutes of silence, Master Jin asked Lin Han.
"Insights, what insights can I have? This thing looks very precious."
Lin Han said perfunctorily.
"Master Lin, this is not like your style. Could it be that you are afraid of something and don't want to tell us something?"
Master Bai diffused the awkward atmosphere and said with a relaxed smile.
Lin Han did not respond. He didn't want to say any more extra words. It was useless to say more.
"Lin Han, why are you in such a hurry to come up here?"
Not long after, Lin Han and Master Zhou returned to the room.
"They want to trick us into talking. Even though our words don't reveal much information, our micro-expressions and small movements may become a fatal key point."
“So, it is important to be careful with what you say and do.”
Lin Han said.
At this critical and special period, Lin Han didn't want to create any more trouble.
If some flaws are really exposed, then all of Lin Han's deployments will be in vain. Since there is a possibility of such danger, there is no need to touch this possibility.
"Let me first tell you about the value of this Guanyin statue so that you can make a good judgment."
"This type of Guanyin statue in the eighth round is also called Water Moon Guanyin. It is a popular type of Guanyin statue and is not uncommon. It can even be said to be very common."
"Statues of Guanyin like this are widely recorded in various parts of China, such as the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, the Yulin Grottoes in Anxi, the East Thousand Buddha Caves, and the grottoes in Sichuan."
"In these places, there are a large number of statues of Guanyin from the Tang, Five Dynasties, Song and Western Xia dynasties, including murals, silk, paper and prints."
"So, this type of Guanyin statue is quite common in shape and is not a rare object. It can be found in all dynasties and in all places, whether in cities or rural areas."
"In ancient times, this kind of Guanyin statue was also a common item among Buddhists. Ordinary people also had one in their homes, but it was not exquisite."
Lin Han analyzed slowly.