01-15-2024, 01:09 PM
Xander loved a receptive mark. Contact and connection. He smiled at the man's name. "It is a pleasure Jensen James." He commited the name to memory and only wish he had a face to go with it. But for now a name would do. "Early twentieth century. And it's a fake." Kristian said with confidence. "The pigments are man made, and by man made I mean synthetic not pigments found in nature. You can tell how the lighting has faded the colors ever so slightly. The brush strokes just aren't as even as the original."
Kristian took a step closer, not so much to touch but to get a better look at the plaque. "And recently stolen it looks like, but the original isn't worth much. I think I saw it float through the shop recently." By shop Xander meant the dark web. While he might be playing a role, Xander did all the things he said he did in his personas. He even went so far as to take a few art history classes online, and spent several months apprenticed at a museum in New York City learning all about how the inner workings worked. That was just one of the things he did in the name of a con. This wasn't a con, but old habits die hard.
Xander may not really buy and sell antiquities but he could. He often found information that led to acquisitions that he'd have to fence later. But he liked information more, and perhaps this tidbit might gain him a bit more cred with his new employer too. "Most of the porcelain in the place is however does qualify. 18th century if I remember correctly. So be careful what you bump into, most of these are priceless." He pointed around the room at the vases and finery decorating the walls and nooks.
"You are a very long way from home, what brought you to Moscow of all places?" Xander asked.
Kristian took a step closer, not so much to touch but to get a better look at the plaque. "And recently stolen it looks like, but the original isn't worth much. I think I saw it float through the shop recently." By shop Xander meant the dark web. While he might be playing a role, Xander did all the things he said he did in his personas. He even went so far as to take a few art history classes online, and spent several months apprenticed at a museum in New York City learning all about how the inner workings worked. That was just one of the things he did in the name of a con. This wasn't a con, but old habits die hard.
Xander may not really buy and sell antiquities but he could. He often found information that led to acquisitions that he'd have to fence later. But he liked information more, and perhaps this tidbit might gain him a bit more cred with his new employer too. "Most of the porcelain in the place is however does qualify. 18th century if I remember correctly. So be careful what you bump into, most of these are priceless." He pointed around the room at the vases and finery decorating the walls and nooks.
"You are a very long way from home, what brought you to Moscow of all places?" Xander asked.