"Yes, it really was traced."
Chu Chen explained, "There are several methods of tracing images with a slide projector. I'll briefly describe two. First, place the genuine item underneath, separate it with a layer of glass, cover the top with xuan paper, and then shine a slide projector upward. The counterfeiter follows the light and shadow projected onto the paper and copies it."
"Another method is to project an image from a photograph or illustrated magazine onto xuan paper, then have the counterfeiter trace the image. For calligraphy, they first outline it with a brush and then fill it in with ink. With either method, as long as the imitation is good enough, it can look so convincing that the fake passes for the real thing."
"Of course, a fake is still a fake, and there will always be some gap between it and the original. Take this calligraphy work, for example. Compared with the genuine piece, it lacks a certain charm. If you put the two together, the difference becomes obvious."
After hearing Chu Chen's explanation, Qi Baofu let out a long sigh. "The methods used to counterfeit antiques really are endless these days. I think I really should brush up on my knowledge before collecting anything else."
Chu Chen said, "Old Qi, that's exactly the right idea. Although counterfeiting methods in the collecting world are constantly evolving, no matter how sophisticated they are, careful observation and analysis will always reveal flaws and expose problems. But all of that depends on having the necessary knowledge and experience."
If someone had said such things to Qi Baofu in the past, the words would have gone in one ear and out the other. But today, he had encountered two counterfeiting methods he had never even heard of, which had shaken him