0:00:01 > 0:00:03This is Antiques Master -
0:00:03 > 0:00:07the contest to find Britain's top amateur antiques expert.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11Tonight the battle commences as the country's finest antiques
0:00:11 > 0:00:16enthusiasts fight it out at the magnificent Townley Hall in Burnley.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19They face a series of tough challenges,
0:00:19 > 0:00:24testing their skills at identifying, dating and valuing antiques.
0:00:24 > 0:00:29Ultimately, only one will be crowned Antiques Master.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51Hello and welcome to a brand new series of Antiques Master.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55I'm Sandi Toksvig, and tonight we're launching our 2011 search
0:00:55 > 0:00:58for Britain's top amateur antiques enthusiast.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Over the next 12 weeks, our contestants will be put through their
0:01:01 > 0:01:06paces as we test their knowledge and skill and sometimes even their nerve,
0:01:06 > 0:01:10all under the eagle eye of our resident antiques expert, Mr Eric Knowles.
0:01:10 > 0:01:16But of course, only one person can walk away with the title of Antiques Master.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20So let the contest begin, as we meet our first three contestants.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26Anthony Pritchard, from Hove, has a love affair with English furniture.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30The idea of winning the title of Antiques Master would be fantastic.
0:01:30 > 0:01:36It would depend I think on everybody else having amnesia on the day and me having a strong following wind.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Londoner Stella Brooker collects antique dolls.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43There's so many different types of dolls.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Some can be quite hideous, I have to say, and others are beautiful.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49And I've got a few hideous ones at home.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54And 25-year-old plasterer Richard Cole has a passion for Chinese ceramics.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58The thing about antiques I love is it's a bit like a treasure hunt
0:01:58 > 0:02:01- you never really know what you're going to find.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04But who will have what it takes to win a place in the semi-finals
0:02:04 > 0:02:09and move one step closer to becoming Antiques Master?
0:02:09 > 0:02:12The journey starts now.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Now, your first challenge is all about your antiques specialisms.
0:02:21 > 0:02:27Each of you has a different antiques passion, and we're going to put that specialist knowledge to the test.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32We have scoured the country for five glorious examples for each of you.
0:02:32 > 0:02:37What you need to do is to study them and tell us the following - which is the oldest,
0:02:37 > 0:02:41which is the most valuable and which one is the odd one out?
0:02:41 > 0:02:43A total of 40 points available.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48You get ten points for each antique that you correctly identify and you get an extra ten points
0:02:48 > 0:02:55if you can tell us the price of the most valuable piece within 15% of the auction estimate.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59So let's see who's got a real eye for detail.
0:02:59 > 0:03:06First up is Anthony, whose antiques passion is Georgian to Victorian period furniture.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11- Your odd one out is that it is out of the Georgian to Victorian time period.- OK.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13- What indeed is that?- Well, this is a whatnot.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- Is it a whatnot for nick-nacks? - It's exactly that.- Perfect.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Exactly. And you put your pretty things on it.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23- It's rather nice.- Does this tell you something about its period?
0:03:23 > 0:03:25Yes, this makes me think maybe William IV.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- Right.- Just a little period before Victoria.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31- Well, do you like it?- Oh, I love it.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Now let's come on to the next one.
0:03:33 > 0:03:34It's a work box.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- Is it to do with sewing? - Exactly that.- Right.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41Yeah, and I'm absolutely ruined on the period. I can't get there yet.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45It has a sort of continental elaboration to it that's throwing me slightly.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48It could be one of the big Lancashire makers.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51- It could be Maples.- It could be local to this area?
0:03:51 > 0:03:53- It just could be. - Do you know what I love?
0:03:53 > 0:03:56I love that it's obviously been carefully looked after,
0:03:56 > 0:04:01there's still a little mark where somebody at some point has put their drink down.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03That's the thing I love about antiques.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05They were made to be used.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09- Yes. No, it's wonderful. - And it doesn't spoil them at all. - So valuable or...?
0:04:09 > 0:04:14Yes, I think it's really quite valuable, because it is ornate, it is interesting. It's lovely.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16We have to hurry you along.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20This is what's called a Pembroke table and you can use this almost anywhere.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25They're terribly useful, you could write on it, you could even have tea round it.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- OK, and onto the next. - This is really, erm...
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- It might be out of period. - Do you want to open it? - Let me have a look in there.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39- And I'm guessing it's some sort of stationery box, yeah. - Oh, isn't that lovely?
0:04:39 > 0:04:43- I think they're called bonheur du jour, which I guess means for early in the day.- Yes.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47But it may be called something else. Is it...? It's all one bit...
0:04:47 > 0:04:52It's either going to be really old and interesting or it's out of period.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54It may well at this stage be the odd man out.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57Now then - even I know, it's a chair!
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Yes, it looks very much like a chair!
0:04:59 > 0:05:03And this is the kind of chair that was made in the early 18th century
0:05:03 > 0:05:10before the sort of Chippendale, big 1760 thing came in and we moved into the sort of Rococo.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13And this is I'd say definitely the first half of the 18th century.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- So it fits within the Georgian to Victorian?- Absolutely.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20Which do you think is the oldest of these five rather handsome pieces?
0:05:20 > 0:05:23I'm going to go this as the oldest.
0:05:23 > 0:05:29Now we're looking for the odd one out, the one that is not in the Georgian to Victorian time period...
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Well, I'm going to take a punt and I'm going to say this one is later.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35It's more sort of arts and craftsy.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- Right - most valuable?- Most valuable.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40- That one.- You love that one.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43It has been a rare treat listening to you?
0:05:43 > 0:05:46So you come and stand here next to me. Now, we listen to Mr Knowles.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54You're looking for the oldest, you home in on the chair.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59It's in solid walnut, so that is an indication that it should be early
0:05:59 > 0:06:0418th century, because when you think of mahogany, you're thinking in the second half of the 18th century.
0:06:04 > 0:06:09So it dates from 1735 and it is the oldest.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12- Ten points straightaway. - Just like that!
0:06:12 > 0:06:17Odd one out - you've gone over here. This is Sheraton Revival.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Consequently, it's Edwardian.
0:06:19 > 0:06:24It's about 1905, 1910 and it's well out of period.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27So this is the odd one out.
0:06:27 > 0:06:28- Another ten points.- All right so far.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33The most valuable - you weren't too sure about this, were you?
0:06:33 > 0:06:37We're talking Gillows, and we're talking about 1840,
0:06:37 > 0:06:42and it is our most valuable object on display.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44So you've got 30 points now.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49You could potentially get another ten if you can tell me the value of this
0:06:49 > 0:06:52piece within 15% of the auction estimate.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56£5,000.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Very near, but not near enough,
0:06:59 > 0:07:03because we were looking for £6,000.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Nevertheless, it was a fantastic display of your knowledge.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08You get 30 points.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Anthony sits down with 30 points.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Will Stella spot the oldest,
0:07:13 > 0:07:18most valuable and the odd one out in her specialism, antique dolls?
0:07:18 > 0:07:23Your odd one out is, it's the only 20th century doll.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Right, now, this is a beautiful doll. Paperweight eyes...
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- What does that mean?- It's a better quality of eye.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32The French were very good at paperweight eyes.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36Two of the best firms were Bru and Jumeau,
0:07:36 > 0:07:40and I'm hoping, if I look at the back of her neck,
0:07:40 > 0:07:42I'm hoping we have... Look at that.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Tete Jumeau. Brilliant.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- Is that good?- Very good.- Are you having a little tremor now?- Oh, yes.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51Jumeau were just one of the best makers and they go into the detail.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56We've got the little buckles on the shoe and a little fastening - beautiful, beautiful.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59I'm going to move on. This one...
0:07:59 > 0:08:00Oh, she's a tough cookie.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03I'm guessing this one's German. It might be Kling,
0:08:03 > 0:08:06although Kling does have I think a bell on the back of it,
0:08:06 > 0:08:08but this one's older than this one.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- Right, OK.- And what have we got here?
0:08:11 > 0:08:12She looks a gentler soul.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- I don't like her.- Oh!
0:08:15 > 0:08:17That sounds awful, doesn't it?
0:08:17 > 0:08:18What have we got on the back?
0:08:18 > 0:08:24You have to watch the head sometimes and that's just got a four on, so it doesn't give you anything away.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Might be the odd one out?
0:08:27 > 0:08:31- It just doesn't feel the age to it. - You just don't like her, Stella.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- No. No, I don't like her. No, no, no.- OK, next one.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37But this one is a nice doll.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40This is a French fashion doll.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- She's got fantastic earrings. I don't know if you can see.- Wow.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Which is always a good sign.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48She's got lovely blue eyes.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50So how many dolls have you got at home?
0:08:50 > 0:08:52About 370.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54- Oh, my!- I know.- She's got a fan.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- But she is beautiful. - Oh, I love that. That is lovely.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- Oh, that is fantastic. - Now, what about this one here?
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Look at him. He's gorgeous.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04This doll here has got painted eyes.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- Most of them have had glass eyes. - But he looks quite realistic.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11They do. And it almost looks like a version of Kammer & Reinhardt
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- but in a small version. - What is that?
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Kammer & Reinhardt, good make.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18- Right.- It's got a star on. Kammer & Reinhardt.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- It is a Kammer & Reinhardt. - That is good? Are you excited?
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Yes, because I got it right before I looked at the mark.
0:09:24 > 0:09:30We're going to have to move us along and why don't we start by finding the oldest?
0:09:30 > 0:09:34- This one.- And what period are we going to suggest?
0:09:34 > 0:09:361880s...
0:09:36 > 0:09:381890s.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41Let's find the most valuable.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- That one.- The Jumeau.
0:09:43 > 0:09:44Now, the odd one out?
0:09:44 > 0:09:46That one because I don't like it.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50She just looks made up and not quite right.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Come and stand here with me.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Let's see if Eric knows anything about dolls at all.
0:09:57 > 0:10:03Looking for our oldest doll, I think the fashion gives it a little
0:10:03 > 0:10:07bit away because you're absolutely right,
0:10:07 > 0:10:10you are looking at a doll that dates from around about 1860.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14The name we've got, and it's quite appropriate, is Simone.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18- Oh.- She looks like she would answer to Simone, doesn't she?- Yes.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20So that was a good start, Stella.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Ten points. Well, done.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Now we're looking for our odd one out.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27You took an instant dislike to this girl.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30I think your heart might have been ruling your head.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32It's him, isn't it?
0:10:32 > 0:10:34It's him. We were looking for...
0:10:34 > 0:10:38- Kammer & Reinhardt.- ..something that was going to be out of period.
0:10:38 > 0:10:44This little chap was around in 1910, so this is our odd one out.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48We now have to look for the most valuable and you went straight for her.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50The eyes just lured you in.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- Can I take her home?- No, you can't, because believe it or not...
0:10:54 > 0:10:59- It's the one I hated! - The one you hated is the most valuable.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01She is a Jumeau.
0:11:01 > 0:11:07She dates to 1880, so this is the most valuable.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Now here is the thing, you've got ten points.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- We're going to give you another five...- OK.
0:11:11 > 0:11:17..if you can tell me the value within 15% of the auction estimate.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- I'll go for £5,000.- £5,000.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23I probably overcooked the cookie, but never mind.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- We were looking for £3,500. - Oh, were you?
0:11:27 > 0:11:28I still wouldn't take her home.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Well, you do take home your ten points though, Stella.
0:11:31 > 0:11:32Thank you very much.
0:11:32 > 0:11:37Stella takes ten points out of the maximum 40.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41Will Richard's passion for Chinese ceramics shine through?
0:11:41 > 0:11:45Your odd one out is that it's a modern copy.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49What would you look for to know that it was original
0:11:49 > 0:11:51and not a modern copy?
0:11:51 > 0:11:55I've got to look at the bottom. It's got this double ring mark.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57This is looking like a modern copy.
0:11:57 > 0:12:04But the double ring mark is early 18th century mark used on porcelain.
0:12:04 > 0:12:10But Chinese is so difficult because they're copying it and the copies are fantastic.
0:12:10 > 0:12:16So possibly the odd one out. Shall we move on to the next one?
0:12:16 > 0:12:23This is an export piece. It's Yung Chen, which is 1723 to 1735.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25What gives that away?
0:12:25 > 0:12:27The enamel. It's...
0:12:27 > 0:12:29And like the foot and the potting.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31Could it be the oldest?
0:12:31 > 0:12:35No, because this is a Wucai jar,
0:12:35 > 0:12:37which... Wucai is five colours.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Transitional period, 1620. Fantastic thing.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44It would have had a lid on it. I've got one myself, which is
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- always helpful.- You like it?- I do. That's a good piece, yes.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49- So that's potentially the oldest, this one here?- No.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- No?- Because if this is right, this is Tang Dynasty.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58- So you think this might be the oldest?- Yes, that's the oldest. That's 620.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01It's not 620 years old - it's from 620?
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- Yes, it's from 600 AD.- Wow. OK.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08This looks very traditional in terms of what...
0:13:08 > 0:13:12Yes, this is Ch'ien-lung export ware.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14It's 18th century but it's a pretty standard thing.
0:13:14 > 0:13:19And if you go to an auction sale, it will set you back about £150.
0:13:19 > 0:13:20- OK - still a beautiful thing.- Yes.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24Let's start with our odd one out - which is the copy?
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- Still going to go for the one with the circles on the bottom?- Yeah.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30The oldest, are we sticking with the little tiny pot?
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- Yeah, the Tang piece, yeah. - And the most valuable?
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- I'm going to go with the Wucai jar. - You come and stand next to me.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41And Eric, let us know the truth.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Let's look for our oldest piece.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48You sort of went straight for this, because you knew
0:13:48 > 0:13:54full well that if it was right then it was going to be at least 600 AD,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57but what if it was an odd one out?
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Well, the good news is, it's not our odd one out - it's our oldest.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06- Ten points. Well, done. - We now look for our odd one out.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11You've gone over here and, if you were to look at the decoration and the colours
0:14:11 > 0:14:16that have been used, would tell you instantly that this was either
0:14:16 > 0:14:2119th century or relatively modern day.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25We think this is mid-to-late 20th century.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30So as such, it is our odd one out.
0:14:30 > 0:14:31Oh, well done, another ten points.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33So where's my most valuable?
0:14:33 > 0:14:39I can tell you now that this dates to anywhere between 1620 and 1640.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43It belongs to a period of porcelain that's called Transitional,
0:14:43 > 0:14:48in between the end of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning
0:14:48 > 0:14:52of the Ching Dynasty - and as such it's our most valuable.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55So you've got 30 points. Well done.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59And you could get a further ten if you can tell me
0:14:59 > 0:15:04the price of our most valuable pot within 15% of the auction estimate.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07£4,250.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10£4,250 - very, very precise.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15I would like it to have been a bit more precise, nearer the £6,000 mark.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Nevertheless, you go away with a fantastically creditable 30 points.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21Well done, Richard, thank you.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31At the end of that first challenge, I can tell you that the scores are
0:15:31 > 0:15:35- Richard and Anthony are in joint first place, both have 30 points,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38closely followed by Stella, who has ten points.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Now one of you will be leaving the contest at the end of the next
0:15:41 > 0:15:43challenge, but there is not a lot in it point-wise.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47So let's go through to the Green Room for a place in time.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53In the second of tonight's three challenges,
0:15:53 > 0:15:57we've selected five antiques, all from different periods.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00The first is an unusual piece of treen.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Then, a ceramic jug.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Next, a silver creamer.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Followed by a plate.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10And finally, a wine decanter.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13The antiques have been placed in random order.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Each contestant has five minutes to assess and position
0:16:16 > 0:16:19them from earliest to latest on the Antiques Master timeline.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23Ten points will be awarded for each one they get right.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30The first item to inspect is the wine decanter, valued at £500.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32It's a very ornate piece.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35The only thing I can think of is German-Austrian,
0:16:35 > 0:16:37It's got that heavy feeling to it.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41Probably hand-blown glass and then wheel-etched on the sides.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44It looks early, just stylistically.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46It's a bit Gothic, I suppose.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48It's got an old cork stopper.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53I think it would be very early or very late, which isn't really giving away much, is it?
0:16:53 > 0:16:56That's not all that helpful!
0:16:56 > 0:16:58It just intrigues me.
0:16:58 > 0:17:05The next item that needs a place on the timeline is the plate, with an auction value of £250.
0:17:05 > 0:17:10I know when they have these sort of lovely little birds and flowers in odd places,
0:17:10 > 0:17:12it can cover up some blemishes,
0:17:12 > 0:17:14but there's nothing to help me.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16Yes, this is Chelsea Porcelain.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19It would normally have a red anchor mark, hand-decorated.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22This is polychrome enamels on it.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26You get three small indentations where it was fired
0:17:26 > 0:17:28and it dates from about 1750.
0:17:28 > 0:17:29It feels quite old.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33It feels like almost as early as Frankenthal, something like that.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- What does that mean?- Sort of 1790s.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40The silver creamer is next up for inspection.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43Now we've got a little milk jug, with three lovely little eggs.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- A mark, a mark. - We've got a mark.- Yeah!
0:17:46 > 0:17:50I'm hoping that's a Chester mark. I want to say Georgian.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52This looks like a Georgian shape.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54I'm looking for a King George on it.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57I've got a Newcastle and I've got a silver...
0:17:57 > 0:18:00So it's made in Newcastle. But there isn't a King George.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- Not that I can see. - So what does that mean?
0:18:03 > 0:18:05It either means it's rubbed off
0:18:05 > 0:18:07or it means it's later.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11It was made in Chester. I think that's the Chester mark anyway.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15It's a very similar style that you would find in 18th century stuff,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18but I think this is probably around 1920-ish.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22The fourth piece they must date is the ceramic jug.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Now this is very obviously a piece of Moorcroft, but how early?
0:18:26 > 0:18:29I'm going to be careful not to drop this.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32A Moorcroft made in England, which means it has to be after 1891.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- So that's good.- Which is good because I've got a date.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- It's heavy. It is Moorcroft.- Does that tell you something about...?
0:18:38 > 0:18:43- I think it makes it the most modern thing we've seen so far.- Because?
0:18:43 > 0:18:47Because it was manufactured in the 1910 onwards, I'm thinking.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50I think this is a slightly later piece of Moorcroft.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54Obviously when it was William Moorcroft, there would be a Macintyre mark,
0:18:54 > 0:19:01but this might possibly be a Walter Moorcroft, which was William's son, probably 1920s.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06The last item is the mysterious piece of treen.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- I absolutely haven't a clue what it is.- It rattles when you move it.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12It rattles. I just haven't a clue.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- What might you do with it?- Well, I'd say a back scratch.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18But I'm sure that's too silly.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20It's a lovely piece of wood.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23It's got a gorgeous, lovely little crocodile at
0:19:23 > 0:19:26the front of it though I wouldn't like to get too close to his teeth.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28It's beautifully carved.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Hook on the end to obviously fasten it with something.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34I'm being very careful with it because it looks as though it has some age.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Looks like a bit of tribal art.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39It looks like it's got a little crocodile's head on it and...
0:19:39 > 0:19:44- Made of?- Some African wood, which might be mahogany.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47I think that might probably be the most recent piece.
0:19:47 > 0:19:54It's decision time. They have just one minute left to place the antiques in chronological order.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59Ten points are on offer for each one correctly placed on the Antiques Master timeline.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02I'm going to move the Chelsea plate to the earliest.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Richard places the plate in the earliest position. Stella agrees.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10- I'm going to go for the plate being the oldest item. - Starting?
0:20:10 > 0:20:11Some time in the 18th century.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15But Anthony goes with the wine decanter as the earliest item.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17I'm going to start with it here.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Richard places the decanter as second oldest on the timeline.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25Stella goes with the mystery wooden object.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28And Anthony thinks the silver jug is the second earliest.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30I'm going to put the jug back into the 18th century.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32I'm going to stick that there.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Richard thinks the carved wood belongs in the middle of the timeline.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Anthony disagrees and goes with the plate.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40And the plate?
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Late 18th into early 19th.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45And Stella leaves the silver jug in the middle.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47I think I'm going to keep him there.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50But Richard places it in the penultimate position.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52I'm going to put that there.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Anthony is unsure but goes with the wooden object as second youngest.
0:20:56 > 0:21:01Curiosity, I'm hedging my bets, I don't think it's as old as that.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Stella thinks it's the wine decanter.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08But they all agree that the Moorcroft is the latest antique.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12This is my latest and this is going to be my final choice, so that one's there.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Time is running out.
0:21:14 > 0:21:15Last chance to move things.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19I'd like to have completely different objects and start again!
0:21:19 > 0:21:24Time's up, but is anyone's timeline in the correct order?
0:21:27 > 0:21:32Let's find out exactly where everything belongs, with Eric.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34Let's start back in the 18th century,
0:21:34 > 0:21:39and what would I find in 1755 but one plate?
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Chelsea, red anchor period.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45The shape itself, pure silver shape.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47So that's my starter.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Ten points to Stella and to Richard.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53What came next?
0:21:53 > 0:21:58Pay attention! And you, and you! This is a teacher's pointer.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02Date-wise, we are in about 1850.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04It's very much a one of.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07I doubt you'll see another in a hurry.
0:22:07 > 0:22:08Ten points to Stella.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Where would we go next?
0:22:10 > 0:22:13We have something that
0:22:13 > 0:22:18in all fairness you would assume to be maybe
0:22:18 > 0:22:2416th or early 17th century, but appearances are somewhat deceptive.
0:22:24 > 0:22:25This is a Renaissance piece
0:22:25 > 0:22:28made in 1890 and probably
0:22:28 > 0:22:31either in Germany or Austria.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33And I'm afraid it fooled everybody.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37So, we've got two pieces.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42Stylistically, that's a lovely little Georgian cream jug.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47Now the marks on the base tell me that this dates from 1895,
0:22:47 > 0:22:50and I can tell you that it is the least valuable
0:22:50 > 0:22:52of the items in front of you.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55This is worth £200.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58So ten points just to Richard.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00And finally, we move to the year 1917,
0:23:00 > 0:23:04and you were all bang on for Moorcroft.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07It says it on the base, for goodness' sake!
0:23:07 > 0:23:14It's a very rare shape and it is the most valuable item
0:23:14 > 0:23:20that we have before you today, because this is worth £6,000.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Well, let's see what all of that has done to our scores.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27Now Richard, you started with 30 points from the first challenge.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30You have gained yourself another 30 points, so you have 60 and you
0:23:30 > 0:23:35will be going through to the final challenge. What about the other two?
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Well, you rather swapped over.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Because Stella, you had ten points to start with,
0:23:40 > 0:23:42but you have gained 30, so you now have 40.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44Anthony, you had 30 to start with,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47you've only gained ten, so you also have 40.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49So we find ourselves in a tiebreak situation.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54What we are going to do, Eric has returned to the Chelsea plate
0:23:54 > 0:23:57and I would ask you, Stella and Anthony,
0:23:57 > 0:24:02to please give me your guess at its value based on an auction estimate,
0:24:02 > 0:24:07and whoever is closest to the actual value will be going through.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Let's find out what you thought. Anthony, what value did you place on the plate?
0:24:15 > 0:24:19- £420.- £420. And Stella?
0:24:19 > 0:24:22£150.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25£150. You crossed out £1,250...
0:24:25 > 0:24:29- No, £250.- Oh, OK, and you went for £150. Who is closest?
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Stella, you are the closest.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36We were actually looking for £250.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39So you would have got it exactly on the money.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Anthony, I am so sorry your journey finishes here.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45I do hope you've had a good time.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47- I've had a great time. - P pleasure to meet you.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51You, Stella and Richard, have got a bit more work to do, I'm afraid,
0:24:51 > 0:24:55so we'll go through to the Red Room for your final challenge.
0:24:59 > 0:25:04So Richard and Stella, there is just one guaranteed place in the semi-finals up for grabs.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06It's time for your final challenge.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Now here we have five absolutely gorgeous antiques.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11I'm going to start with an open question.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Please will you buzz if you know the answer -
0:25:14 > 0:25:19five points if you get it right, five points off for a wrong answer.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22If you do answer correctly, you will be able to choose one
0:25:22 > 0:25:27of the five antique categories for a further question worth ten points.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30If you get that answer wrong, the question is passed over to
0:25:30 > 0:25:34the other contestant who gets a chance to steal five points.
0:25:34 > 0:25:40The round will end after two minutes or when all five antiques are out of play.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44Now at the moment, Richard, you're in the lead with 60 points. And Stella, you've got 40.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47But it's not a very big gap - there is everything still to play for.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51We're going to start with an open question and the time starts now.
0:25:51 > 0:25:57Which pottery company was founded in Shropshire in the 1790s by John Rose?
0:25:57 > 0:25:59- Minton?- No, the answer is Coalport.
0:25:59 > 0:26:06A crowned harp has been the hallmark of which European Assay Office since 1637?
0:26:06 > 0:26:07- Stella?- Dublin.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09- Correct. Choose a category. - Steiff, please.
0:26:09 > 0:26:15In 1912, what was the Steiff morning bear created to commemorate?
0:26:15 > 0:26:17The sinking of the Titanic.
0:26:17 > 0:26:18Correct. Open question.
0:26:18 > 0:26:24What name of French origin is given to large, glazed, decorative pots or stands used to display plants
0:26:24 > 0:26:27like Aspidistra and ferns indoors in Victorian times?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29- Jardiniere.- Correct.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31- Please choose a category.- Lorenzl.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35By what name was the painter who worked alongside Lorenzl decorating
0:26:35 > 0:26:39statuettes with cold-painted floral detail usually known?
0:26:39 > 0:26:42- No idea. - Going to pass it to Richard.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44- No.- The answer is Crejo.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46Bruin was an early name for the stuffed toys that were
0:26:46 > 0:26:50later better known by what name first recorded in 1906?
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- Teddy bears. - Correct. Choose a category.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Archibald Knox.
0:26:55 > 0:27:00What was the name of the studio that initially sold on Knox's designs to Liberty & Company?
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Tudric - I can't think of anything else.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Not correct. Richard, do you have any idea?
0:27:05 > 0:27:07- Liberty's?- It was called Silver or Silver Studio.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Open question, either of you can answer.
0:27:09 > 0:27:17What name is given to a dining room stand with either two or three revolving circular trays?
0:27:17 > 0:27:21- A dumb waiter.- Correct. Choose a category. - Crown Derby.
0:27:21 > 0:27:27In 1775, which monarch granted the Crown Derby factory the rare honour
0:27:27 > 0:27:32of being able to incorporate a crown into their back stamp?
0:27:32 > 0:27:36- William and Mary. - William and Mary is not correct. I'm going to pass it to Richard...
0:27:36 > 0:27:38I haven't got a clue.
0:27:38 > 0:27:39The answer was George III.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43Well, it is amazing how the scores can move around and I can tell you
0:27:43 > 0:27:49after that, Richard, you have 55 points, but Stella,
0:27:49 > 0:27:55you have pipped him at the post, you have got 70 points and you take the first space
0:27:55 > 0:28:02in our semi-finals in what is already looking like a thrilling contest to find our Antiques Master of 2011.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05- How are you feeling?- Shattered!
0:28:05 > 0:28:10Well, Richard, we may well be seeing you again because this year our highest scoring runner-up from
0:28:10 > 0:28:14across the series will complete the line up for our semi-finals.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16Let's get Eric's verdict.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20Well, Stella, it doesn't matter where you start from in this business,
0:28:20 > 0:28:24but it's where you end up, so congratulations.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Do join us next week when three more determined antiques buffs will be
0:28:27 > 0:28:30competing for the title of Antiques Master.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37I'm flabbergasted about winning especially with the two chaps I was against.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40I'm just really grateful to get through.