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Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Master Yun: Lotus on Water Sells Nothing, But These


In the long course of history, gold and silver have served as currency for transactions in lands where humans settled. This is why I identify with gold and silver. 

Lotus on Water bases its decision on what treasures to sell on the same principles and reasons.   

For example, at Lotus' founding in 2006, amber 波斯蜜蜡 had its heydey in the market. Blue, purple and green coloured, it was very pleasing to the eye. But I refused to sell it. Eventually, amber was proven to be a sham. 

Two years later, Liu Li Gong Fang launched a successful marketing campaign, and big shots of the Feng Shui industry followed suit in selling liuli 琉璃. It's cute, beautiful, low cost and highly profitable. Similarly, I refused to sell it. To me, liuli is essentially glass; it can be mass produced, and regardless of its beauty, there's no way it could maintain its value. 

A few years later, liuli hit its lowest point. It was too late for those industrial big shots to regret their decisions. Liuli was sold everywhere, there was probably more liuli than junk in the market and its sale price fell like junk as well. 

Later on, the others started selling "blood dragon wood" 血龙木. But I am unmoved by these novel and popular products. 

The treasures sold in our galleries—jadeite, agarwood, sandalwood, Duan Xi inkstone, crystal Buddha statues—have been used for a long time in human history. This is why 90% of the treasures we sell can be found in auction houses.   

Humans are fickle and our interest does not last long. We can be into something today and go crazy over another tomorrow. But there are a small number of things that stand the test of time, maintaining and proving its value. 

And Lotus on Water sells nothing, but these. 

— Master Yun Long Zi, 31st August 2016
(Translated)

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