1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 331 Provence-themed Auction

"This auction is based on the Swiss franc, with each bid increment being 3000 francs. Settlement can be made in equivalent Italian lira and Greek drachmas; other currencies are not accepted. In-kind deductions of equivalent value are also accepted, including: 1 ton of pink salt bricks from the Camargue saltworks for 8000 francs; one case of 1982 Bondole wine for 2200 francs; and one case of 1981 Château d'Yquem Sauternes for..."

The auctioneer, speaking fluent Provençal dialect, listed off the items that could be used as collateral and their respective values, causing Zoe to lean forward involuntarily.

Cotillard, who knew a little more about Provençal auctions, explained to Zoe:

"Bartering has always been a tradition at auctions in Provence. Yesterday, an oil painting was sold for a 50-kilogram black truffle option."

Zoe nodded silently and muttered to herself:
"And they are all characteristic items of Provence."

Carmag salt, wine, truffles—these are all high-value local products of Provence.

So far, Zoe has not heard anything about gold or oil from the auctioneer.

Combining the auctioneer's traditional attire and authentic Provençal dialect, she guessed that Provençal's unique auctions have continued in their original form from hundreds of years ago.

It truly lives up to its reputation as one of the most distinctive auctions in France.

After reading out the list of those eligible for deductions, the auctioneer said in a loud voice:

"We also accept installment payments, with a 30% down payment and the balance due before the next olive harvest season. If the payment is overdue, an additional 5% cash or equivalent deductible item will be required."

Zoe and Cotillard exchanged another silent glance.

It truly has a strong Provençal feel, with the settlement time calculated based on the 'olive harvest season'.

After explaining some bidding rules and on-site precautions, the auctioneer struck the gavel forcefully on the gavel stand:
"One last thing to note—do not use your left hand when raising your paddle! I now declare this auction officially open. Today's first artwork is number 001."

Zoe's work was featured in the latter half of today's auction.

This gave her and Cotillard ample time to study.

They not only understood the rules of the auction, but also gained a deep understanding of the current state of the European art collection market.

Before participating in the auction, they thought that Gold's series of art events were only within Provence and would at most attract enthusiasts from other parts of France.

Andy Goldsworth's background may attract even more tourists from neighboring countries.

But to everyone's surprise, the collectors participating in this auction were not only spread throughout Europe, but also involved the Americas and Asia.

Several very active collectors were the focus of the entire event.

The first one is buyer number 41, an organization called the New Era Winery Alliance.

They commissioned an agent to acquire two very nice decorative pieces on-site, but they seemed to have a clear objective and remained calm when other pieces appeared.

The second very active buyer was the widow of the American subway tycoon; her buyer number was 77.

Cotillard said that the generous lady had already made a considerable fortune at yesterday's auction.

The most enthusiastic participant in the entire auction was undoubtedly the consignor from Seibu Department Store in Japan.

As early as 1985, this Japanese group had become a frequent topic of conversation among artists.

It is said that with the arrival of Japan's economic bubble, the Seibu Group's annual procurement budget in the field of art reached hundreds of millions of US dollars.

Their paddle number 99 appeared the most times today; everyone has lost count of how many times the auctioneer said "Buyer number 99 has bid."

What's even more terrifying is that their simple and brutal 'money' tactic is very effective; they always win when they make a move, almost completely dominating the game.

In the latter half, whenever a representative from the Seibu Group raised their paddle, a collective sigh would ripple through the room, signifying that everyone had virtually no chance left.

“This auction is more lively than I expected, attracting many powerful buyers,” Cotillard whispered to Zoe. “It’s very beneficial for you and Ronan.”

They stood at the very center of a star-studded stage. Ronan and Zoe's stage may have already extended from Provence to other countries.

Zoe smiled expectantly:

"It's not just good for me and Ronan."

She turned to Cotillard and said:

"Find me more large-scale events like this in the future."

Cotillard laughed happily:
"Do I need to actively seek you out? From now on, event organizers will be the ones actively seeking you out!"

Zoe is definitely the person the event organizers most want to invite in the future.

Who wouldn't want to collaborate with such a beautiful, talented, and popular artist?

Our good days have truly begun!

The auctioneer's gavel drew Zoe and Cotillard's attention back to the scene:

"Thank you to the artist for speaking. The next item for auction is lot number 28, from the artist Zoe!"

The loudest commotion since the auction began erupted, and the auctioneer had to say "Quiet" three times to quell the noise.

But as soon as filming began, the murmurs that had been barely suppressed suddenly resurfaced – because the most eye-catching numbers today, 41, 77, and 99, were raised at the same time.

Has someone finally managed to break the status quo where Japanese conglomerates always win?

Curator Normand and his friend Professor Goldman, who were watching the commotion backstage, burst out laughing at the same time.

Due to the intrigue surrounding the future of Provençal art, the story of the 'lovebirds,' and Marechal's 'good intentions,' Zoe's work became one of the most fiercely contested during the collection period.

Although the starting price wasn't high, there were many bidders, so the final price was uncertain. As a result, a group of authoritative figures gathered backstage at the auction to watch the spectacle.

"Interesting. A battle between capitals has begun. I wonder which of these three parties will win," Professor Goldman said, looking on with amusement.

These three powerful buyers have finally 'gone head-to-head'.

Such a spectacular auction is rare even in Paris.

Curator Normand seemed even more excited than Professor Goldman, crossing his arms and watching with great interest.

"You thought there were only these three parties? Today's exciting part is far more than that."

Professor Goldman has only recently arrived in Provence and is missing much of his knowledge:
"Are there other hidden buyers with considerable financial strength?"

Normand did not answer the question directly, but instead asked with a smile:
How many rounds of bidding do you think there will be in the end?

The difference between the starting price and the final transaction price, the number of bidding rounds, and other data can all represent the popularity of a collectible.

Professor Goldman observed the intense atmosphere in the room, recalled other auctions, and after assessing the value of the artwork, he said:

“Your rules here only allow bids of 3000 francs per round, and you’ve given this piece such a low starting price of 20000 francs. I estimate it will take more than 40 rounds to bid.”

Due to the unique characteristics of Provence, price wars are very common here.

Curator Normand found the person he was looking for in the area, observed the person's condition, and then smiled and said:
"I estimate this piece might trigger a price surge."

Twenty minutes later, Zoe's work had gone through thirty-six rounds of bidding, and the final price reached 128,000 francs.

Only five or six competitors remained on the field.

In the 1987 Provence art market, only works by internationally renowned artists could fetch prices of 80 francs or more.

Works by renowned local artists typically fetch prices between 10 and 80 francs, with the majority falling below 25 francs.

Zoe is indeed very popular, but the market estimate for this piece is between 15 and 18 francs, which is a very high estimate. Zoe's previous highest price at other exhibitions was only 5 francs. Most collectors are there hoping to find a bargain.

Seeing that there was not much room for appreciation and that several major conglomerates were following closely, they quietly withdrew.

After the auctioneer announced, "Buyer number 99 has bid 128,000 francs," paddle number 41 was quietly put down, seemingly with no intention of picking it up again.

Countless people at the scene sighed in disappointment.

Regardless of the outcome of this competition, it will have nothing to do with local Provençal collectors; it will be a competition between American and Asian capital.

编号67的牌子刚举起来不到一秒，99和77号牌子又接连出现，此时的价格来到13万7千法郎。

When everyone's attention was focused on numbers 77 and 99, and they thought a two-way battle was about to unfold, a sign with the number 3 was raised for the first time, pushing the price of the artwork to over 14.

For what seemed like the umpteenth time, an uproar erupted at the scene.

She was a very young and dignified lady, but she looked like she had just woken up and was still yawning.

Although no one knows who this new buyer is, they do know that a new three-way power struggle has begun!

In Provence, not only are artists ranked according to seniority, but the seating arrangements in the buyer's area also have their own rules.

Seating is allocated according to the family's art collection history. Those who have a prominent position in Provence auctions can sit in the middle of the first row, while even newly rich collectors can only sit in the back row to raise their paddles.

For example, buyers number 77 and 99, who are newcomers to the Provence art market, can only be placed in the later positions.

Our young lady is sitting in the very middle of the first row, representing her as a local collector from Provence!
Provence is back on the competitive stage!

Patricia yawned again.

Good heavens, auctions are harder to endure than lectures; they're so long and tedious.

But finally, it reached 14!
This is data Patricia's analyst gave her; once she calls out this number, she can start bidding, as there won't be many competitors after her.

"Buyer number 3 has offered 14 francs. Is there anyone else bidding?" the auctioneer asked excitedly.

"Number 16 has placed the bid!"

"Mr. Number 99 called 3000 again!"

"Mr. Number 38 hasn't given up either!"

"We saw sign number 16 appear again!"

"Number 99 has increased in price again!"

"Number 77 has also brought his sign back!"

"Alright, Mr. No. 99, keep bidding! The final price is now 161,000 francs!"

Patricia pouted angrily.

what.

Why are there still so many people holding up signs?
Didn't you say it could end right away?
However, once the price reached 16, only the widow of the American subway tycoon and a Japanese conglomerate remained interested, while everyone else withdrew from the competition.

Just as Patricia was about to raise her sign, sign number 77 appeared first, followed by sign number 99.

"167,000 francs, anyone else want to raise the price?" The auctioneer raised his gavel.

Patricia was really angry.

It was her first time participating in an auction, and she was facing her favorite artist and his works. How could she possibly fail?
Furthermore, Patricia wanted to take this opportunity to invite Zoe to create another custom piece for her.

Her father, Mr. Thuram, had contacted Zoe again through the museum, but Zoe, for some reason, declined the offer to collaborate.

Patricia believed that only by fully expressing respect for Zoe could she persuade her to continue making things for her!

Recalling some of the conversation her father had with his friends at the party, Patricia held up the dried lavender in front of her with a mixture of disbelief and skepticism.

This item will only appear on the table of the buyer in the center of the first row.

Suddenly, a huge gasp of surprise erupted at the scene. Buyer No. 77 and client No. 99 looked around in confusion, as if trying to figure out what was causing their shock.

The auctioneer was stunned for several seconds before he realized that Patricia had actually raised the dried lavender flowers. He excitedly said:
"Buyer number 3 has exercised their VIP buyer privileges! From now on, every time they raise their bid, it will be 20% of the latest transaction price, until they withdraw from the competition! So the transaction price is now 200,004 francs. Is there anyone else bidding?"

Patricia stomped her foot excitedly!

What Dad told at the dinner table wasn't just a story; it actually worked!
The client of the Japanese foundation kept asking those around him:
"What kind of rule is this? Why can she add 20% all at once, but we can't?"

A local Provençal collector excitedly shouted to him:

"This is a local feature of the Provence auction. In the past, only nobles could use this right. Now it has been extended to a few local collectors who have made the greatest contributions to the Provence art world, but no one has exercised it for a very long time. That girl has quite a background."

The focus now is not on background or anything like that.

Rather, the price has exceeded the market's valuation!

The widow of the American subway tycoon looked extremely unwell and spoke a few words to the people around her before placing the number 77 sign on the table.

They dropped out of the competition!

Since the start of the auctions, every item has been sold to a Japanese conglomerate.

Amidst repeated urging, buyer number 99 exchanged a few words with the buyer in the area and raised the sign again.

It's about 21 francs, which has already exceeded the market's estimated value.

But don't forget that buyer number 3 is now raising his sign to indicate a 20% increase in the price. Is he going to spend 25 francs to buy this artwork?

That must be insane!

But he wasn't the only one who went crazy at the scene.

Patricia not only unhesitatingly held up the dried lavender flowers, but also shouted in the Provençal dialect:
“Aquò es miéu! (This is mine!)”

At auctions in Provence hundreds of years ago, every bidder had to say this when raising their paddle, otherwise the bid would be invalid.

How many years has this custom not appeared in Provence?
One hundred years, or two hundred years?

The Provençal collectors at the scene went into a frenzy!
This young girl not only defended the reputation of Provençal collectors, but also gave collectors from other countries a vivid and engaging lesson in Provençal culture.

Today's auction was fantastic!
It seems even the auctioneer has been inspired by the burning spirit of Provence.

He urged him on urgently in the Provençal dialect.

The whole audience shouted 3, 2 together
Before the number 1 was called, everyone saw client number 99 shake his head helplessly and put down the sign.

"Congratulations to buyer number 3! She has successfully acquired item number 028!" the auctioneer shouted, his voice trembling.

Today is destined to be an important day in the art history of Provence.

Art lovers and artists throughout Provence will remember this young buyer and the existence of this artwork.

They will also remember who created this madness—the artist named Zoe!

(End of this chapter)