America: Starting with Daily Intelligence-Chapter 68 Expert in Porcelain

"But I think it’s probably not worth much money, so I might as well take it home as a keepsake."

George was caught off guard by the lady’s boomerang of a comment, nearly throwing out his back.

"Let me appraise it for you anyway," George said reluctantly, sighing as he watched the photo being put away, aware that he had rattled the snake in the grass.

But he had already made quite a bit of money today.

Making more would be impolite.

"Do you have anything else you’d like to sell, ma’am?" George asked.

The lady immediately took out another box and from it, she produced an antique-looking bronze swan oil pot, and said seriously, "This is a bronze artifact from the Shang-Zhou period that I bought from an antique dealer in Chinatown a few years ago! I want you to appraise it, and if the price is right, I’ll sell it to you."

Allen Zhang glanced at the palm-sized bronze oil pot she had taken out.

He didn’t quite know what to say for a moment.

From an antique shop in Chinatown?

From the Shang-Zhou period?

Well then, no problem.

George was also uncertain, donning white gloves, he carefully examined it from left to right, top to bottom, clearly touching upon a gap in his knowledge.

He said seriously, "I need to have a professional come in to appraise this. Please wait a moment."

"Ok."

George immediately started making calls to summon someone.

"I’ve notified a porcelain expert from Chinatown, and they should be here in about 10 minutes," George explained.

He then turned to Allen Zhang with a warm smile, "What about you, sir? What would you like to sell?"

Allen Zhang promptly took out the ceramic horse with a damaged front hoof, the Ming dynasty banknote full of holes from insects and rodents, and a platinum pocket watch.

George was baffled at the sight.

Oh no, another knowledge gap. Does this mean he has to call on another expert?

Luckily, the porcelain expert was also well-versed in other antiques, so there should be no need to contact anyone else.

After all, their fees were not cheap, charging hundreds of dollars per visit.

George decisively picked up the pocket watch and gave it his close attention, as this was the only item he recognized, one that matched his expertise.

He said, "This is from the William Ellery company, the predecessor to the Waltham Watch Company; this platinum pocket watch likely dates from between 1860 and 1880, most likely from the Civil War period. But there are no inscriptions or any special historical significance. Still, it’s in relatively good condition and it’s still working, which I like very much! How much would you like to sell it for?" frёewebnoѵēl.com

"$150,000!"

Allen Zhang threw out a figure without any hesitation. Whether or not it was accurate, it had to be extravagant! Enough to make the other party’s scalp tighten and to give him a few headaches!

He’d learned his lesson; he had basically figured out the other party’s bargaining tactics.

Sure enough, George instantly felt his scalp tingle, slightly bewildered, almost unable to keep his composure.

How much? $150,000? In US dollars?

Not in Zimbabwean dollars?

Are you sure you didn’t add two extra zeros?

You’ve really got guts!!

George instantly put on a pained expression, scratching his head.

He explained, "This pocket watch, although made of platinum, doesn’t have much significance for collectors. It wasn’t worn or collected by celebrities, nor does it have any celebrity signatures or associated historical records. A watch like this would only auction for around $600 online."

"How about $6,000? It’s a real antique with a historical aura! After all, it’s from the Civil War period. I bought it from an antique dealer for $2,000!" Allen Zhang began his enthusiastic pitch, just making it up as he went along.

But his tricks were still too basic, all improvised on the spot. George, who had been a soldier of fortune for half his life and swung the Dragon Slayer Sword with unmatched skill, wouldn’t blink an eye, let alone fall for such a ploy.

How could he so easily trip and fall in front of him?

Right away, George made his final offer, "800 US dollars. Take it or leave it."

Allen Zhang looked at him speechlessly. You dare to offer 800 US dollars, and yet you claimed the auction price was 600 US dollars?

Doing the math, you’re sure to make almost double the profit with the flip of a hand!

But I managed to earn a bit myself.

Not a lot though, just about a 54 times profit, I’d say!

After all, I acquired it for 15 US dollars. No wonder they say poverty speaks; brother Black is all about honest business!!

Allen Zhang sighed, "Alright, I’ll take a bit of a loss. I want cash. Hurry and send someone to check how much my ceramic horse and Ming Dynasty banknote are worth."

"Don’t rush, the expert will be here soon," George answered slowly.

He took out a white towel and started to polish his platinum pocket watch. Already considering it his own, the more he looked at it, the happier he became.

Not long after, about five or six minutes, a registered porcelain expert arrived.

"Hey! George, I heard someone wanted to sell a bronze artifact. You know, I’m an expert in this field." The newcomer was a tall white male with deep eye sockets and a prominent nose, bellowing as he pushed through the door.

Upon hearing the voice, Allen Zhang found it familiar and turned to see that it was the overseas student he had met at the flea market.

The old white man also saw Allen Zhang and was immediately shocked.

Oh no, how could this happen?

What a disaster this was.

"This is Wal, a ceramist from the Netherlands, currently residing in Chinatown. He’s done considerable research into China’s historical culture and often deals with bronze artifacts," George introduced them warmly.

The lady shook his hand, "Hello, Mr. Wal."

Wal offered an awkward smile, "Hello, ma’am."

Allen Zhang looked at him with a weird expression and half-jokingly said, "The Netherlands? Had you not said so, I would have thought you were from Henan."

"What’s that?" George was puzzled.

"Nothing much, just a place with thousands of years of history, but it’s not very internationally renowned. Most people just know about Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen."

Wal gave Allen Zhang a look, signaling him not to trip him up.

Allen Zhang had no such intention; he just gestured towards his ceramic horse.

Wal suddenly understood and gave a discreet thumbs-up.

Sorted, even if it’s fake, I’ll tout it as real for you! I’ll hype it up as much as I can!

Choose from the eras—Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han... whatever you want.

Anyway, this thing wouldn’t be worth much with a broken leg.

Wal immediately started to examine the lady’s swan-shaped bronze oil lamp.

After a brief inspection, he announced, "Unfortunately, there’s some bad news. This is not a bronze artifact from the Shang or Zhou dynasties because bronze oil lamps in the shape of swans weren’t made during that period, and if it were from the Shang or Zhou, it wouldn’t be made so meanly. The good news is, this is genuinely a bronze artifact, with a history of over two thousand years!"

"This is a typical oil utensil from Ancient Rome, and in Greek Mythology, the swan is one of Zeus’s incarnations. The faces on both sides also resemble Cupid, the god of love, symbolizing a happy marriage, also something newlyweds would use for bedside lighting. Many collectors on the market would seek to acquire it now."

This guy really knew something, not just a plain charlatan deceiving people.

Allen Zhang was astonished as he watched Wal.

"So, what’s its actual value?" both the pawnbroker and George were curious.

"This bronze artifact would be of interest to many collectors, valued between 1000 and 1500 US dollars," Wal gave a fair estimate.