Chapter 99

Chapter 97: Chenghua Doucai Chicken Cup

Moreover, due to the relationship where Japanese culture is derived from China, although the Japanese are extremely contemptuous of their western neighbor, the entire Japanese society, from top to bottom, holds Chinese ancient culture in high regard. This is reflected in the collecting world by a strong love for Chinese antiques. Therefore, the largest buyers of Chinese antiques internationally are still the Japanese. They not only actively purchase Chinese antiques at auctions around the world but also personally travel to China every year to hunt for treasures.

Of course, not all Japanese who come to China are buying Chinese antiques; some are selling them. Especially during China's reform and opening up, as a large number of Chinese became wealthy and the antique market became increasingly popular, many Japanese collectors, when facing financial difficulties, would choose to sell their Chinese antiques to raise money.

In addition to contacting major auction houses to sell their goods, they would also contact international antique dealers, known in Chinese as brokers, to directly sell their antiques to Chinese tycoons. The current Fujita Ichiro is clearly of this type.

Although the old man did not particularly like the lecherous-looking Japanese man in front of him, he could not let him lose face given his courteous and respectful demeanor and the fact that he had extended his hand. After all, the antique that needed to be appraised was still in his hands.

Subsequently, both sides shook hands briefly, introduced themselves, and then, at Zhao Defa's invitation, took their seats.

"Mr. Fujita, should you now take out the item?" Zhao Defa asked, his expression tinged with anticipation.

After hearing his words, the assistant surnamed Wang first translated for Fujita Ichiro, who then nodded and carefully picked up a silver-colored briefcase from beside him, placing it on the round table in the center. After entering the password and opening it, Fujita Ichiro carefully took out a small red box, about twenty centimeters long.

After gently placing the box on the round table, Fujita Ichiro opened the gold-painted clasp and carefully lifted the lid. Inside, a pair of small cups, about the size of ordinary wine glasses, with a translucent white body, wrapped in golden silk, appeared before everyone's eyes.

When Fujita Ichiro carefully took the two small cups out of the briefcase and placed them on the round table, revealing their full appearance, the originally composed face of Old Li suddenly showed extreme shock. His eyes widened, his lips parted, and he said in a trembling voice, "Chicken Cup!"

Hearing his words, the middle-aged man surnamed Wang, with a tone of pride, loudly said, "That's right, this is the famous Ming Chenghua Doucai Chicken Cup!"

The Chenghua Doucai Chicken Cup is a court utensil produced by the imperial kiln in Jingdezhen during the Chenghua period of the Ming dynasty, and it is quite valuable. According to the "Shenzong Shilu" (Veritable Records of Emperor Shenzong) of the Ming dynasty, during the Wanli period, "In front of the emperor, there was a pair of Chenghua chicken cups, worth 100,000 taels of silver." This shows that even during the Ming dynasty's Wanli period, the Doucai Chicken Cup was already a precious item in the imperial collection.

Moreover, Chenghua porcelain is characterized by its thin body, smooth glaze, delicate and exquisite form, and light and flat blue-and-white color. The brushwork is gentle, contrasting with the earlier period's robustness and the later period's elegance. The blue-and-white outlines are harmoniously combined with various overglaze colors, known as "Doucai." The cup has a slightly flared mouth, a short wall, and is decorated with chickens, hence the name "Chicken Cup," and its shape resembles a basin, hence the name "Chicken Basin Cup."

The patterns on the outer wall of the cup are divided into two groups of chicken motifs, separated by odd stones and flowers. One group features a rooster in the front, proudly guarding, a hen in the back searching for food, and three chicks surrounding them, flapping their wings in joy. The other group also consists of two adults and three chicks, with the hen flapping her wings and fighting with a prey, a chick standing in front cheering for her and ready to join the battle. Perhaps the hen's fierce struggle has startled the rooster, who suddenly turns back, showing his care. Two other chicks play under the flowers, content and happy. The overglaze colors include red, yellow, brown, and green, with light and dark shades, or two colors overlapping, creating a lively and harmonious scene of family happiness.

Now, the pair of Chenghua Doucai Chicken Cups in Fujita Ichiro's hands have the same patterns and colors as the previously described chicken cups. They appear to have a thick patina, smooth lines, vivid patterns, and are in excellent condition without any obvious damage, making them "one-look goods." It's no wonder Old Li lost his composure at first sight.

Anyone who deals with porcelain knows the fame of the Chenghua Doucai Chicken Cup. This is a more precious piece than the five famous kilns of the Song dynasty. There are only nineteen in the world, and fifteen of them are in prestigious institutions such as the National Palace Museum in Taipei, the Palace Museum in Beijing, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States. Only four are in private hands.

Rarity makes things valuable, and with the top craftsmanship of the Chenghua Doucai Chicken Cup, it's no wonder this "best of wine cups" is worth a fortune.

"Mr. Fujita, may I take a look?" At this moment, Old Li's eyes were entirely on the two small cups, 4 centimeters high, 8.3 centimeters in diameter, and 3.7 centimeters in base diameter, forgetting everything else. As a master appraiser specializing in porcelain, nothing could captivate Old Li more than a Chinese art treasure like the Chenghua Doucai Chicken Cup.

"Please, sir, take a look!" After the translation by the middle-aged man surnamed Wang, Fujita Ichiro nodded.

With permission, Old Li took a deep breath, calming his excited emotions, and then took a pair of white gloves from his pocket and put them on.

He then walked a few steps forward to the round table, his face cautious, and carefully picked up one of the chicken cups to examine it closely.

As Old Li's actions were watched, the atmosphere in the reception room suddenly became quiet. Everyone's eyes were on Old Li, who was appraising the two cups. Especially Zhao Defa, who held his breath, eyes wide, trying to hide his nervousness, but Liu Dong still saw a flash of tension on his face.

At this moment, Liu Dong was also carefully observing Old Li's meticulous appraisal. Of course, with his current appraisal skills, he couldn't tell if the chicken cups were genuine unless he used his special ability. However, for some reason, perhaps it was his intuition, he didn't think the Chenghua Doucai Chicken Cups were authentic.

"Indeed!" Using his special ability, the two cups showed no trace of spiritual light.

"Brother Liu, do you think these are genuine?" Just as Liu Dong had his answer, Li Yunchong, sitting beside him, pulled on his sleeve and whispered.

Hearing his words, Liu Dong raised an eyebrow and, looking at the mysterious Li Yunchong, asked with a smile, "What? You think these chicken cups are fake?"

Li Yunchong frowned, glanced at Old Li, who was seriously appraising the cups, and lowered his voice even more, "I don't know, but there are only nineteen of these in the world, fewer than the famous Yuan blue-and-white and the official kiln pieces of the Song dynasty. Do you think it's possible for two to suddenly appear here?"

Hearing this, Liu Dong looked at him again. He hadn't expected the seemingly carefree Li Yunchong to have such a keen sense of detail.

"I also think it's unlikely, but let's see what Old Li says."

"Okay!"

At this moment, everyone's attention was on Old Li, who was appraising the two chicken cups, and they didn't notice the small exchange between the two of them.

Time passed slowly, and after an hour, Old Li carefully placed the chicken cup back on the table. Holding a magnifying glass, Old Li's expression was extremely serious, his brows furrowed, his eyes fixed on the two small cups, filled with indecision.

"Old Li, how is it?" At this moment, Zhao Defa, who had been waiting beside him, couldn't help but stand up and walk to Old Li's side, asking softly.

Hearing his words, Old Li's gaze did not leave the two small cups. He just shook his head lightly. After a few more minutes, he said with a hint of doubt, "These two chicken cups, in terms of color, shape, and patina, are flawless. No matter how I look at them, they are undoubtedly genuine Ming Chenghua Doucai Chicken Cups!" He paused, looked at the two small cups again, and then said with a complex tone, "However, for some reason, I feel something is off about these cups, but I can't put my finger on it."

Hearing his words, Zhao Defa felt a bitter taste in his heart, thinking, "Please, give me a definite answer. Are these cups genuine or fake?"

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