From the Island Owner to the King

"These two zodiac animal heads in Yuanmingyuan were discovered by me in a declining noble family in the 1980s. At that time, I saw that they had a well-made cast, and the surface was also carved with fine chisel, and the animal hair and other subtle features Everywhere is chiseled and forged, clear and lifelike, and the nose, eyes, ears and other key parts, as well as the upper nose and neck folds are all very delicate, without a trace of sloppy, showing a very high level of craftsmanship.

Moreover, it is also very particular about the materials used. The copper it uses is an alloy copper specially refined for the palace. It contains many precious metals.

At that time I thought it was not an ordinary copper utensil. "

Earl Hill said this, paused, and continued, "So, I spent a total of 2,000 pounds to buy these two copper heads.

Later, I checked a lot of information, and then I came to know that their origins are the royal objects of the Qing Dynasty in the last century, the essence of the Haiyan Hall building complex in Yuanmingyuan, the bronze statues of the Chinese zodiac.

The twelve zodiac signs with animal heads and human beings represent the twenty-four hours of the day, and each bronze statue takes turns spraying water to tell the time with water. "

Chen Rui said, "Count Hill, forgive me for being abrupt. You know that I am a Chinese, and the bronze statues of the twelve zodiac animals in Yuanmingyuan are China's national treasures. I want to take back these two national treasures that have been lost overseas. I hope you can restore them. The two bronze statues of the animal heads of the twelve zodiac signs were transferred to me."

Hearing this, Earl Hill rejected Chen Rui's request and said, "First of all, these two bronze statues of animals with zodiac heads are one of the most important treasures in my collection.

Secondly, the exquisite casters, exquisite designs, and extremely high level of craftsmanship displayed on the two bronze statues of animal heads, while the design of the bronze statues of the twelve zodiac animals, Long Shining is from a European artist, and the bronze statues have a strong sense of The traditional Chinese aesthetic taste also integrates the characteristics of Western plastic arts. It is a very fine work of art. I'd love to like it too, so I'm sorry I can't grant your request, Mr. Chen. "

Hearing this, Chen Rui was very disappointed.

He nodded and said nothing.

After all, the two zodiac animal head bronze statues are one of the most important treasures in Earl Hill's collection. In addition, the 12 zodiac animal head bronze statues are a very fine work of art. Earl Hill is very like it.

Most importantly, Earl Hill is not short of money.

For these three reasons, it is very difficult to purchase the bronze statues of the twelve zodiac animals from Earl Hill.

"Can I take a picture?" Chen Rui made a small request to Earl Hill.

"Whatever you want," said Earl Hill.

Chen Rui took out his camera and took more than a dozen photos of the snake head and the sheep head.

Next, under the guidance of Earl Hill, I visited a variety of artworks in his collection.

There are so many works of art, and each piece of fine work is representative, which makes Chen Rui amazed.

This is the heritage of an ancient European family that has been passed down for more than 500 years.

After visiting Earl Hill's collection room.

Chen Rui was arranged in the guest room of the manor.

The next day, Chen Rui got up early in the morning.

"Mr. Chen, get up."

Several maids who were waiting on the side handed over towels, washbasins, and toiletries.

After washing.

The maid served breakfast.

a bowl of oatmeal,

A few buns, a few pieces of bread.

It is in line with Chinese eating habits.

"Mr. Chen, Earl Hill has something to do today and can't entertain you in person. He apologizes to you. I'll entertain you today." Butler Burke came over, put his right hand in front of his abdomen and his left hand behind his waist, and bowed. , said to Chen Rui.

Very gentlemanly.

"That's troublesome."

Burke took Chen Rui to the garden of the manor.

This is a French 17th century garden style embroidered parterre.

The garden is large and consists of several flat, geometrically symmetrical altars with pools and ditches on the axis of symmetry, and flowers are planted in regular patterned hedges that look like gorgeous oriental rugs.

It's very, very pleasing to look at.

Next, Burke took Chen Rui to a house.

Burke walked ahead and pushed open the door.

Chen Rui followed, walked into the room, and saw a huge skeleton in the room at first glance.

Its head is supported by a thin neck, about 10 meters above the ground, and its body is about 20 meters long. It has a thick body and a long tail.

"Is this a dinosaur fossil?" Chen Rui said in surprise.

"Yes, this is a Brachiosaurus fossil, one of the large dinosaurs, herbivorous, living in the Jurassic period," Burke said.

In addition to dinosaur fossils, there are many kinds of fossils of birds, insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and plants in this fossil museum.

This is one of the UK's largest collections of paleontological fossils, and it's where the Earl of Hill works. "

"Count Hill is a paleontologist." Chen Rui asked.

Burke said, "Yes, Earl Hill is a famous European paleontologist. He has a deep research on biological evolution and the evolution of the original biological form from the ocean to the land. He is an authoritative scholar in Europe."

Chen Rui nodded.

Thinking carefully in my heart.

Earl Hill is a paleontologist, and he must be very concerned about this kind of 'living fossil' that has survived a long geological age. I am interested in spearfishes of very important research value from which fish evolved.

To get the bronze elephant of the 12 zodiac animals from Earl Hill, you can start with the spearfish.

Half a year ago, a male and a female pair of spearfish had spawned in the ocean of the Pregnant Haizhu Space, and after a while, more than a dozen juveniles could hatch.

"This is a fossilized dinosaur egg with embryos that came to China in the 1920s and 1930s."

"This is a nautilus fossil from the Himalayas, the roof of the world, which was once an ancient Mediterranean Sea as early as 20 million years ago."

......

On the third day, I said goodbye to Earl Hill and left Hill Manor.

Chen Rui contacted Dawson Berg.

Dawson Berger is a bank investment advisor serving Chen Rui and is a senior staff member of American Express Bank.

With more than 200 million US dollars in cash, any bank is a high-quality customer.

After Chen Rui deposited $240 million into American Express Bank, he got a Centurion Black Gold Card.

The Centurion Black Gold Card is recognized as the world's top premium credit card. The cardholders who own this 'King of Cards' can enjoy top-level honors, customized exclusive services and unparalleled global rights, including all-day "response to requests". 'Concierge service, VIP seats for various events around the world and top private meetings and exclusive privileges in major cities around the world.