The Scratch on the Ming Vase by Caroline Stellings Read Free Book Online Page B

“Copper red was a very difficult shade to fire. The temperature had to be exactly right, or it would turn black. And in those days, they didn’t have electric kilns, of course.
    â€œA piece like this,” he continued, “would have been created for the royal family—for the emperor.”
    Nicki and T’ai exchanged quick glances.
    â€œAnd would this piece have been passed from the Ming emperor to the emperor of the Qing/Manchu dynasty?” she asked. “In other words, would it have been in the royal household during the time of Manchu rule?”
    â€œPossibly. And if it were, it would be worth far more than seven million dollars. In fact,” said Dr. Wong, “it would be priceless.”
    â€œWhat do you mean it would be priceless?” asked Nicki.
    â€œThis vase would be one of a kind,” he said. Then he looked over the top of his glasses again. “If it were genuine.” He sighed. “Unfortunately, this one is not. I’m sorry.”
    Nicki’s heart sank.
    â€œAre you sure?” asked T’ai.
    â€œPositive,” said Dr. Wong. “Oh, it’s a very good replica—in fact, I’d say it’s one of the best I’ve seen. Probably fired in 1920 or thereabouts, to serve as a duplicate of the one that belonged to the emperor.”
    â€œAre there many of these duplicates around?” asked Nicki.
    â€œJust a minute,” said Dr. Wong. He left the room and returned with a folio containing information about historic vases.
    He leafed through quickly until he found what he was after.
    â€œYes, of course.” he said. “This red underglaze with the five-clawed dragon design did belong to the Chinese imperial family. It was stolen from them before the overthrow of the Qing dynasty.”
    He pushed the folio across the table.
    â€œHistorians believe it may have ended up in Hawaii.”
    â€œHawaii?” said T’ai.
    Nicki nudged his leg.
    â€œYes,” replied Dr. Wong. “Honolulu’s Chinatown played a crucial role in the birth of modern China. Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary who put an end to the ruling monarchy, was born in Zhongshan but was educated in Hawaii.”
    â€œI’ve, uh…I’ve heard that there’s a bronze statue of him in Honolulu,” said Nicki.
    â€œBut not everyone wanted to see the end of the Manchu regime, and there is speculation that the vase was offered to anyone who could do away with Dr. Sun.” Dr. Wong looked at the folio again. “You asked me about the number of duplicates that are in circulation.” He thought for a minute. “This might be the only one. Whoever made it would have needed the original to copy from.”
    â€œHow do you know this one is fake?” asked T’ai.
    â€œWhen examining Chinese pottery and porcelain from this period,” he continued, “you always begin with a question.”
    â€œWhat question?” asked Nicki.
    â€œWhere is the scratch on the Ming vase?” Dr. Wong smiled at his younger companions. “You see, the Chinese craftsmen were wonderful, the best in the world, and they took their work very seriously. And they knew that for a work of art to be truly beautiful, in the deepest sense, it had to contain a flaw. So, after the artist had created the most magnificent piece he could, he would add a tiny scratch, or a “wrong” spot of paint. Anything small just to make sure it was not perfect.”
    â€œBecause perfection is not beautiful,” said T’ai.
    â€œRight,” said Dr. Wong. “Perfection is lifeless,” he added, as he left the room to replace the folio.
    â€œHawaii!” T’ai whispered to Nicki.
    â€œI know, I know,” she replied. “It looks like David Kahana brought the vase all right— the real one—to return to your uncle and his family. But where is it now?”
    â€œAnd where is he?”

Chapter Twelve

    â€œOh,