Chapter 3075: Unexpected discovery
After not being exposed to the outside world for a while, the huge rubies on the golden crown quickly dimmed and became blackened, as if they were covered with a layer of gray mist.
Seeing this scene, those Ethiopians suddenly became a little anxious.
"Ah! What's going on? Why do these rubies suddenly lose their luster? Is there a way to save or stop this change?"
"Gosh! Why did this change happen?"
With this sound of exclamation, everyone was awakened.
Ye Tian looked at these Ethiopians, smiled and shook his head and said:
"Gentlemen, don't be nervous. This is a normal oxidation reaction and is inevitable. These rubies have been hidden for too long and have been isolated from the outside world for a long time.
Because of this, when they are exposed to fresh air again and exposed to natural light, this reaction will occur, and the loss caused by this oxidation reaction is very small.
Once they have adapted to the external environment, nothing will change again. It is good to find a professional to polish and deal with them, and they will be able to radiate a fascinating light again."
"It turned out to be like this, scared me!"
The representative of the People's Front said after another, taking a deep breath.
Several other Ethiopians who were also on the scene turned red, somewhat embarrassed.
As far as the identification of antiques, cultural relics and works of art, and the identification of jewellery are concerned, they are all laymen and do not know any professional knowledge at all. This kind of performance is also normal.
Ye Tian smiled softly, and then, together with several archaeologists and historians, began to study and identify this mountain-shaped golden ruby crown.
At the same time, the cleanup of treasures deep underground is still continuing.
The previous portable safe was sent into the underground secret room again, and another slightly larger portable safe was hung on the ground.
In this portable safe, there is a wooden box about fifty centimeters long and thirty centimeters high.
Ye Tian personally stepped forward to open the portable safe and took out this ancient wooden box.
This wooden box is also in good condition, basically intact, with some exquisite patterns engraved on it, and a gilt gold lion buckle on the front.
Seeing this gilt gold lion buckle, everyone immediately understood.
This wooden box also came from the royal family of Solomon's dynasty, but what was inside it? But I don't know.
Ye Tian did not rush to open this wooden box, but put it aside and continued to study the golden ruby crown.
Within a short while, the Ethiopians at the scene could no longer wait.
"Mr. Steven, where did this gold and ruby crown come from? Which ancient emperor's crown was in Ethiopia and how much is it worth?"
The Deputy Mayor of Axum asked eagerly, his eyes hot.
The other Ethiopians are the same. Everyone is full of expectations, waiting for Ye Tian to give an answer.
Ye Tian looked up at them, then smiled and said:
"Gentlemen, I tell you with great certainty that this is the golden ruby crown of the Ethiopian Emperor Susnillos. It has a very special meaning. It can be said to be a valuable and top antique cultural relic.
In the inner circle of this crown are engraved with the personal mark of Emperor Susnillos and the golden lion emblem of the royal family of Solomon. As for why it fell into the hands of Alfonso Mendes, it is unknown."
Before the words were over, the head of Nda Cion Church continued to say:
"When Emperor Susnillos was overthrown, Emperor Fasilidas' men did not find the golden ruby crown. Emperor Susnillos declared that the crown was lost in the chaos.
Because he was the father of Emperor Fasilidas and had a special status, no one asked the whereabouts of this crown, but who would have thought that the crown here would have fallen into the hands of Alfonso Mendes.
Fortunately, Alfonso Mendes failed to take the crown, but buried it deep underground in the church of Endacion. It is only today that this crown can be seen again! "
Following his remarks, all Ethiopians at the scene were secretly grateful.
Next, the representative of the People's Front asked again:
"Mr. Steven, since this is the crown of Emperor Susnillos, it must be extremely valuable. Can you give an accurate estimate? So that everyone knows it!"
Ye Tian looked at this guy, but didn't immediately respond.
Obviously, the Mention Front urgently needs a large amount of funds to prepare for the upcoming war.
Because of this, this guy is eager to know the true value of this golden ruby crown.
His performance made Joshua and the Bishop of Kent beside him, as well as several archaeologists and historians from Harvard University and Columbia University, all brightened their eyes.
These fox-like sly guys all saw the huge opportunities contained therein.
Without exception, these guys all started the Ethiopian's idea and focused on the half of the treasure to be distributed to the Ethiopian.
As for wars and vendettas between different nations and forces in Ethiopia, they simply don't care.
Ye Tian saw the changes in the expressions of everyone at the scene.
Joshua knew what they thought.
He just smiled and didn't say much.
"It is certain that the golden ruby crown of Emperor Susnillos is a top-notch antique cultural relic of invaluable value. It is very rare. I value it at about 8 million US dollars.
The reason for giving such a high evaluation price is because there is a thrilling historical story hidden behind this crown, which undoubtedly greatly increased the value of this crown! "
Ye Tian said with a smile, and gave the valuation of the crown.
Before the words came to an end, an exclamation of exclamation sounded at the scene.
"Wow! 8 million dollars, it's amazing!"
"Unexpectedly, the value of this crown is so high, it's incredible!"
As everyone exclaimed, two antique art appraisal experts from Israel looked at Ye Tian in surprise.
They did not expect that Ye Tian would give such a high valuation for this golden ruby crown.
If they were asked to evaluate, their valuation might be between 5 million and 6 million US dollars instead of 8 million US dollars.
The valuation of 8 million US dollars is basically the upper limit of the value of this golden ruby crown.
How did these two Israelis know that Ye Tian did this deliberately.
He knew very well that if he distributed this golden ruby crown to the Ethiopians, the Ethiopians would not be able to keep it.
In the end, it was either Israelis, Vatican, or Americans who got this golden ruby crown!
In this case, he doesn't mind helping Ethiopians to make more money.
Except for this golden ruby crown, there is nothing else in this red sandalwood box.
Ye Tian carefully admired this exquisite crown again, then put it into the red sandalwood box, and locked the wooden box again.
Afterwards, he gave the red sandalwood box to his staff, asked them to register it, and then put it under close supervision.
After the treasure is cleared and the identification and evaluation on site is completed, the treasure can be divided up.
By then, who owns this golden ruby crown depends on the choice of Ethiopians!
Next, Ye Tian took the second wooden box set aside and was about to open it.
The wooden box was locked by a rusty bronze lock, of little value.
Before opening the box, Ye Tian checked the surface of the wooden box.
This wooden box is fairly intact. Although it has been bumped, it is not damaged.
Right above the wooden box, there is a cross, a few little angels, and a text from the Bible.
Unlike the angel portraits seen in Nda Cion Church and other places in Ethiopia, the images of these little angels are very orthodox and are created based on white people.
The text from the Bible is not Amharic or Tigray, but Latin.
After checking the wooden box roughly, Ye Tian said:
"From the surface of the wooden box, it shows that it came from the royal family of the Solomon dynasty. The gilt lion buckle on the front of the wooden box is the most powerful proof.
However, these angelic patterns and Latin words on the surface of the wooden box are enough to show that the person using this wooden box is most likely a white man from Europe.
It is inferred from this that this should be the box of Bishop Alfonso Mendes, which he ordered from the royal craftsmen of the Solomon dynasty during his mission in Ethiopia.”
Before the words came to an end, several archaeologists nodded one after another.
"Yes, we think so too. If this wooden box belongs to someone else, the angel image on it will not be like this, nor will it use Latin.
Except for Bishop Alfonso Mendes, at that time, no white missionary was qualified to let the royal craftsmen of the Solomon dynasty build wooden boxes for himself."
"Indeed, this is a very special antique wooden box. No matter what is in the box, the wooden box alone reflects the history of Ethiopia!"
Hearing their analysis, everyone's understanding of the wooden box suddenly became more profound.
At the same time, everyone is more looking forward to what is in this wooden box.
After checking the appearance of the wooden box, Ye Tian picked up the hydraulic pliers set aside and directly cut the rusty bronze lock on the front of the box.
Immediately afterwards, he carefully opened the upper cover of the wooden box.
There are no traps in this wooden box, it is very calm.
After confirming the safety, Ye Tian completely opened the wooden box.
The stuff in the wooden box shocked everyone on the scene again.
The first thing everyone saw was an exceptionally exquisite gold cross with a few red sapphires inlaid on it, placed on the top of the box.
Under the light, this golden cross radiated bright light, dazzling.
And under this golden cross is a statue of the Virgin Mary about fifty centimeters high, but a bronze statue, already rusty.
Judging from the artistic style and character image of this statue, it is obviously from the Catholic Church in Europe, not the Eastern Orthodox Church in Ethiopia.
There are only two items in the wooden box, but they are shocking enough.
"Wow! This golden cross is so exquisite, it is probably another top antique cultural relic"
"It is hard to imagine how many valuable top antique cultural relics have been hidden deep underground by Alfonso Mendes!"
There was a sound of exclamation at the scene, and everyone was excited.
Like the golden ruby crown, the red sapphires on this golden cross began to change rapidly after being exposed.
In a short while, those huge red and blue sapphires became muddy.
This scene, everyone has seen before, no longer feels strange.
Ye Tian checked the situation inside the wooden box, then reached into it and carefully carried the golden cross out of it.
The weight of this golden cross is very heavy, more than five kilograms, and it is made with a lot of gold.
After taking out the golden cross, Ye Tian gently placed it on the carpet, and then began to explain.
"Gentlemen, this is another top antique cultural relic, which is of great value. In fact, the value of the gold used in this cross and the value of these red sapphires are amazing.
Judging from the shape of this golden cross and the Latin engraved on the bottom, it should have been made by Alfonso Mendes from a craftsman in Rome, and the person who provided the gold was Emperor Susnillo!
Inferring from this point, before 1632, this Catholic-style golden cross was probably enshrined on the altar of Nda Cion Church. It was once the most important religious article here."
Listening to his explanation, everyone nodded.
The Ethiopians at the scene were all staring at the golden cross, their eyes shining with excitement, their eyes were extremely hot, even a little red, full of greed.
If you change a place and a group of people, they might have already grabbed it!
Next, Ye Tian asked everyone to visit and admire this exquisite golden cross.
Everyone who looked at this golden cross was amazed.
During the appreciation process, Ye Tian exchanged opinions with several archaeologists and antique art appraisal experts, and then gave appraisal conclusions and evaluation results on the spot.
He valued the golden cross at US$2 million, which is also the top valuation.
Not surprisingly, all Ethiopians on the scene were shocked again and exclaimed.
However, with the previous 8 million U.S. dollar base, their psychological endurance has become much stronger.
In a blink of an eye, they have controlled their emotions, but their eyes are still shining.
After identifying and evaluating the golden cross, Ye Tian took it aside and asked his staff to shoot the video and register it.
He himself came to the wooden box again, took out the bronze statue of the Virgin Mary carefully, and placed it on the carpet.
Everyone on the scene could see that when he hugged this bronze statue, he was far more careful and more cautious than he hugged the dazzling golden cross.
At the same time, his eyes seemed to be brighter, and his whole person was a little bit more excited.
Seeing this scene, everyone felt a little surprised.
When he placed the statue of the Virgin Mary, Joshua immediately asked:
"Steven, you seem to value this bronze statue of the Virgin Mary very much. You seem to attach more importance to it than the golden cross and golden ruby crown.
Is this bronze statue of the Virgin Mary a top antique piece of art, worth more than the gold and ruby crown? Can you tell us about the situation? "
Following Joshua's words, everyone looked at the rusty bronze statue of the Virgin Mary.
Except for a few antique art appraisal experts and archaeologists, many people at the scene were at a loss.
Especially those Ethiopians, how can they not see the value of this rusty bronze statue? How could it surpass the dazzling golden ruby crown?
Ye Tian did not respond immediately ~www.wuxiaspot.com~ but admired the rusty bronze statue intoxicatedly, completely ignoring the existence of other people.
It took a long time before he woke up.
Immediately afterwards, he said excitedly:
"You guessed it, Joshua, this bronze statue of the Virgin Mary is indeed a top antique piece of art. Its value is at least not less than that of the gold and ruby crown, and it is very rare.
The sculptor who created this bronze statue is Giambologna, a famous sculptor in the late Renaissance and the most outstanding Mannerist sculptor. It is a miracle to find his work here."
Before the words came to an end, the antique art appraisal experts on the scene had already exclaimed.
"God! I heard you right? This is actually the work of Mannerist Giambologna? How could his work appear in Africa and Ethiopia? It's incredible!"
"Yes, this is Mannerist sculpture! But I have never heard that Giambologna created such a bronze statue of the Virgin Mary. If this is genuine, it is definitely a top art!"
_
