Nowadays, the once bohemian inhabitants of these buildings have long been displaced, replaced by immigrants primarily from affluent European backgrounds who have opened various branded stores, expensive perfumeries, furniture shops, antique stores, galleries, thrift shops, new and used bookstores, restaurants, and cafés.
The Citybarn antique shop, introduced by Fangbo to Jin Muchen, is located at the corner of 53rd Street, in the southernmost part of the Soho district.
The proprietor, Rick, is a middle-aged man, around fifty years old, of average height but sturdy build, his face bearing the weathered marks of time. With his graying hair and beard, he exudes the aura of an artistic soul.
The shop itself is not very large, occupying only a single floor with a retail area of over 150 square meters.
Upon Jin Muchen's arrival, Rick was engaged in conversation with a young black man. The young man held a stone-carved Buddha head, providing an introduction to Rick.
"This was brought back by my father from Vietnam many years ago. He was in Company B of the 101st Division, and when they were attacking Ho Chi Minh City, he found this item in a temple and brought it back from Vietnam..."
The young black man's introduction was earnest, and Jin Muchen did not interrupt him but observed the Buddha head in his hands with interest. Frankly, it was rather intriguing to see such a stone-carved Buddha head here.
However, after only a brief glance, Jin Muchen dismissed the black man's claims. He had scrutinized the Buddha head intently for quite some time and found no traces of any inherent brilliance or value. Based on his previous experience, the Buddha head was undoubtedly fake, and the man was clearly fabricating a story.
Behind every antique lies a story, but while some stories are genuine, others are fabricated, often accompanying counterfeit antiques.
However, Jin Muchen did not expose him because he believed that Rick, a seasoned player in the antique world, would surely be able to determine the authenticity of the item.
Yet, as Jin Muchen observed the grizzled figure across from him, Rick appeared strangely absorbed and his gaze remained fixed on the Buddha head.
After the young black man finished speaking, Rick unexpectedly nodded.
"Alright, young man, how much do you intend to sell it for?"
Upon hearing this, the young black man immediately appeared excited. "Sir, you truly have an eye for quality! I've already been to several antique shops, but they all said this was fake. But I don't believe them; my father would never lie to me."
"Very well, young man, I understand. What's your price?"
Rick interrupted the young man and inquired.
"Um... eight hundred... no, five hundred dollars..."
"Alright, I'll give you three hundred dollars!"
Rick unexpectedly intended to purchase a counterfeit? Jin Muchen's expression betrayed his surprise. Considering that this man was Fangbo's friend and may not be very knowledgeable about Asian antiques, Jin Muchen wanted to offer a word of caution.
However, just as the words were about to leave his lips, he noticed Rick's peculiar gaze, prompting Jin Muchen to choose to remain silent.
"Deal!"
A brilliant smile spread across the young black man's face as Rick expressionlessly counted out three bills from a drawer and handed them to the young man, who left the antique shop with a joyful expression.
"Are you Fang's nephew?"
"Yes, hello, Mr. Rick, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Jin Muchen."
"Hello, Muchen, I'm pleased to meet you too."
Rick extended his hand, and Jin Muchen shook it firmly. The calluses on his palm were evident, especially on his index finger and the base of his thumb.
Jin Muchen's heart skipped a beat; this was the hand of someone accustomed to holding a gun.
Rick didn't immediately engage in conversation with Jin Muchen. Instead, he looked at the stone-carved Buddha head placed on the counter, reached out to touch it, and finally placed it in the storefront window.
Jin Muchen couldn't help but be taken aback. He knew the rules of these antique shops; generally, items of lesser value would be displayed outside to attract customers, while the truly valuable items would be kept in the back in safes.
It was obvious that Rick knew this item was fake, so why did he still intend to sell it?
"This thing sells for ten dollars each at the duty-free shops near Thai airports," Rick said as he stood up, not even looking at Jin Muchen, muttering to himself. Jin Muchen couldn't help but ask, "So why are you buying it if you know it's fake?"
"Heh heh, kid, because I also served in the 101st Division back then, because I also went to Vietnam, and most importantly, because I'm also a father."
With Rick's explanation, Jin Muchen felt reassured. It seemed that Rick couldn't bear to shatter the image of the young black man's father in the young man's eyes.
Perhaps the young black man's father hadn't obtained any war spoils in Vietnam. Instead, before returning home, he bought this Buddha head near an airport as a gift for his son, along with a beautiful story.
Thinking this, Jin Muchen was certain that Rick was indeed a good person.
"Alright, kid, according to Fang, you've acquired some items but are unsure about them, so you want me to take a look?"
"Yes, these are the three sets of tea sets I acquired, but I'm not entirely sure about their origins, so I wanted you to help me."
Jin Muchen didn't beat around the bush, immediately taking the three sets of tea sets out of his backpack and placing them in front of Rick.
Rick's eyes lit up as he examined the three sets. He took out a pair of glasses from under the counter, along with a magnifying glass and a measuring tape. He first picked up each of the three pots, examined them carefully, and then opened the lids to inspect the insides before tapping the pots and listening to the resonance.
The sound was crisp and resonant, prompting Rick to nod in approval.
"Hmm, these are made of 950 silver, with good purity. Now, we need to give them a check-up."
Saying this, he pulled over an electronic scale and proceeded to weigh each of the three tea sets.
"The teapot weighs 789 grams, the coffee pot 885 grams, and the sugar pot 561 grams, for a total weight of 2235 grams. The weight is good, and the materials are substantial. Now, let's measure their dimensions."
After finishing speaking, Rick picked up the measuring tape and began meticulously measuring each of the three tea sets.
"The teapot is 210 millimeters tall, with a spout to handle distance of 240 millimeters and a body diameter of 160 millimeters. The coffee pot is 280 millimeters tall, with a spout to handle distance of 235 millimeters and a body diameter of 140 millimeters. The sugar pot is 160 millimeters tall, with a distance of 190 millimeters between the ears and a body diameter of 140 millimeters. The design is unique, especially the square-handled teapot. The patterns are exquisite, the craftsmanship is delicate, the materials are thick, and the condition is impeccable! The sugar pot is gilded inside. These are excellent pieces!"
As the old man conducted his examination of the teapots and sugar pot, he mumbled to himself.
Listening to this, Jin Muchen's heart blossomed with joy. It seemed that this time, there was absolutely no escaping his luck.
"Alright, let's now take a look at the silver marks and markings."
As the old man spoke, he flipped over the teapots and began to scrutinize them, paying special attention to the lids, then showing the bottoms and carefully identifying the floral French signatures with a magnifying glass.
Finally, Rick solemnly placed down the teapots and turned to Jin Muchen. "Young man, your items are really impressive. Fang mentioned that you acquired them from 39th Street?"
"Yes, just yesterday. I found these teapots very beautiful, so I decided to acquire them. However, I'm not entirely sure about their origins, so I came today specifically to seek your advice."
Jin Muchen's modest attitude pleased Rick. After all, young people like Jin Muchen, who are humble and even a bit plain, are not common these days, especially at his age, possessing such keen insight and a passion for antique research.
"Haha, well, kid, I have to say your luck is really good. This should be a set of exquisite 950 pure silver tea sets from France in 1882, and the author is a very famous French silversmith, Fleuret, François. You can see his signature on the bottom of the pot. Fleuret, François was one of the most famous silversmiths in France at that time. He mainly served the Parisian royal family and nobility. Many of his works have been passed down through generations and are still displayed at the Fontainebleau Palace. Your set should be a work created by him for a nobleman back then. Unfortunately, it's not signed by that nobleman, otherwise, we could know the lineage of this tea set, which would make it even more valuable."
Rick's words made Jin Muchen's heart burst with joy. He didn't care about Fleuret, François. As long as this tea set in front of him was worth more, that was better.
"However, although we don't know the lineage, it doesn't matter. After all, this tea set can be considered the pinnacle work of Fleuret, François. Making silverware involves five major techniques: hammering, engraving, chiseling, filigree, and enameling. Your tea set, apart from filigree, has all four major techniques, and the myriad of techniques give this tea set a rich sense of light and shadow, which is the charm of this tea set."
Rick continued to passionately introduce the background and value of this tea set to Jin Muchen, but Jin Muchen finally couldn't help but fall into the cliché.
"So, Mr. Rick, how much do you think this tea set is worth?"
"Hmm..."
Old Rick rubbed his white beard on his chin, didn't rush to answer. After a while, he said, "However, after all, this is not Victorian-style silverware. You know, the mainstream preference for silverware collecting nowadays is still British style, especially from the Victorian era. So, although your silverware is very exquisite, its price will still be much lower compared to tea sets from that era in England. If I were to acquire it, I could offer you thirty thousand dollars!"
I mean, it only cost fifteen hundred when I acquired it. Now, I can sell it for thirty thousand with just one flip, that's a twentyfold profit!