APPRAISER: It was in a local ad. I think, anyways, it's referred to as a Chinese carriage or wagon from the Qing dynasty, if I'm not mistaken.
APPRAISER: You're right on target, it is Qing.
GUEST: Okay.
APPRAISER: So that means it dates to somewhere before 1911 in China...
GUEST: Okay.
APPRAISER: ...and after the Ming dynasty. And, in my opinion, based on the appearance, the construction...
GUEST: Hmm.
APPRAISER: This would date to the 19th century.
GUEST: Okay.
APPRAISER: Which is really quite unusual-- these had hard wear. And you can see that it's had a hard life. That's not what it looked like when it was built.
GUEST: Right.
APPRASIER: This was lacquered, and you can still see traces of burgundy lacquer on it.
GUEST: Ah.
APPRAISER: And also black lacquer.
GUEST: Yeah.
APPRAISER: And on the underside of the ceiling in there is a finely woven bamboo mat that is put to the ceiling...
GUEST: Mmm, yeah.
APPRAISER: ...on top of which is this thick lacquer surface to make it waterproof, which we need on a day like today.
GUEST: Oh, interesting, okay.
APPRAISER: All this would have been likely black, burgundy, and gilt lacquer.
GUEST: Interesting. Oh, wow.
APPRAISER: This was not meant for your average person to be carted around town.
GUEST: Oh!
APPRAISER: The thick iron bands on the edge of the wheel...
GUEST: Mmm.
APPRAISER: ...was to withstand the wear and tear of going over rough cobblestoned, potholed streets at the time. What we see through here you would not have seen through here. This would have been lined with beautifully painted paper or silk.
GUEST: Okay.
APPRAISER: Part of it opened with a curtain right there that could be pulled back so the person could take a look. What'd you pay for this?
GUEST: I paid $125.
APPRAISER: Oh, my gosh, you got a great deal. There are very few of these that are in good condition. A realistic price is going to be in the $1,000 to $2,000 range in an auction sale.
GUEST: Ah. Okay.
APPRAISER: But it's got to be to an audience of people that recognize the difference between those that are modern reproduction...
GUEST: Mmm.
APPRAISER: ...those that were made for transport of somebody of elevated stature...
GUEST: Mm-hmm.
APPRAISER: ...and those that were authentic but made for transporting commercial products.
GUEST: Mmm.
APPRAISER: This is the very best of that type. It's just unfortunate that the decoration is gone.
GUEST: Interesting. Right, right, it's worn. Interesting, okay.
