0:00:02 > 0:00:04This is Antiques Master,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07the contest to find Britain's top amateur antiques expert.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11For eight weeks, the country's finest antiques minds
0:00:11 > 0:00:14were put to the test in a series of demanding challenges.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Now, in the semi finals,
0:00:16 > 0:00:21the contest gets even tougher as the elite return to battle it out
0:00:21 > 0:00:23in the stately Regency Rooms
0:00:23 > 0:00:25at Townley Hall in Burnley.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Their goal?
0:00:27 > 0:00:31A place in the final.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Hello and welcome to Antiques Master.
0:00:50 > 0:00:56I'm Sandi Toksvig and this is the search for Britain's top amateur antiques enthusiast.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00Tonight, in our third semifinal, another three keen contestants
0:01:00 > 0:01:04compete for just one place in the Antiques Master final.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06But, now, the pressure really steps up
0:01:06 > 0:01:09as the cream of our contestants fight it out
0:01:09 > 0:01:13all under the watchful eye of our resident expert, Mr Eric Knowles.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16They may be one step closer to the title,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19but, ultimately, there can only be one Antiques Master.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23Let's meet tonight's semi finalists.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27John Denham, a retired geography teacher from Hertfordshire.
0:01:27 > 0:01:33Clearly, the competition is going to be tougher in this round because everybody's got through the heats,
0:01:33 > 0:01:35so I'm looking forward to a tough contest.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38Stella Brooker, a doll collector from Surrey.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Now that I've made it into the semifinal, Heaven only knows
0:01:41 > 0:01:44whether I can make it into the final. We'll just have to see.
0:01:44 > 0:01:50And the highest runner-up from the heats, Sandy Rich, an insurance broker from Oxford.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52I feel like I've been given a second chance.
0:01:52 > 0:01:53I want to capitalise on that.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56I've been calling myself the biggest loser, but I'd like to be a winner.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00But who will have what it takes to win a coveted place in the final
0:02:00 > 0:02:05and move one step closer to becoming Antiques Master?
0:02:05 > 0:02:07The journey continues.
0:02:14 > 0:02:19Your first challenge is all about your antique specialisms.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21Each of you has a different antiques passion
0:02:21 > 0:02:24and we're going to put that specialist knowledge to the test.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28So, once again, we have scoured the country for five glorious examples
0:02:28 > 0:02:31for each of you and what you need to do is to study them.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Please tell us which is the most valuable,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37which is the oldest and which one is the odd one out?
0:02:37 > 0:02:39There are 40 points available.
0:02:39 > 0:02:4410 points for each antique that you correctly identify.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46You get an extra 10 points if you can tell us the price
0:02:46 > 0:02:52of the most valuable piece within 15% of its auction estimate.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56So, let's see who's got a real eye for detail.
0:02:56 > 0:03:03John is first to be tested on his specialism, stoneware from the 16th to the 19th century.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Your odd one out is not British.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11- OK.- Do they tend to be British, things that are stoneware?
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Yes, there's a tremendous amount of wonderful stoneware made over
0:03:14 > 0:03:17this long period of time and this is a very nice example of a hunt jug.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22And you can see the hunt going on along the bottom of the jug here.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24There are the huntsmen. There are the hounds.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28It could be late 18th century or it could be early 19th century.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31And what do you think about being in the semifinal?
0:03:31 > 0:03:35Chuffed to little mint balls. Yeah, it was absolutely wonderful, yeah.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Well, this is some sort of a canister. It's got a pewter top.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41- Right.- It screws on here.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46I think it's a tea canister, that's what I think it is. I don't think it can be incredibly valuable.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- I feel it's 19th century.- Right. - Mid-19th century.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52On to the next one - is that more familiar?
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Well, this is a rather striking tavern mug of the mid-18th century.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58And it's got a "WR" on!
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- Ah!- Could that be William?
0:04:00 > 0:04:04That's rather exciting. But it would need to be late 17th century to be William the Third.
0:04:04 > 0:04:10- Right.- A lot of these tavern mugs didn't survive very well, but this is absolutely wonderful condition.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- Again, a bit of a puzzle. - We don't want to make it too easy.
0:04:13 > 0:04:14- It is the semifinal. - Absolutely not.- OK.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16Odd one out.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18- Oh!- This is the odd one out? - This is from Germany.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21This is from the Westerwald area of the Rhineland, even though it's got
0:04:21 > 0:04:26the George Rex on the little applied medallion there.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30What is typical of Westerwald is the grey body and this cobalt blue,
0:04:30 > 0:04:34which is rather a nice Baroque, swirly thing here.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Right, OK. I like this one. This is a sweet thing.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Yeah, but this is more like a caricature jug, isn't it?
0:04:40 > 0:04:43It's rather primitively done, rather simply done.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45OK, and you think that one's British. You think
0:04:45 > 0:04:49- the giveaway for the odd one out is the colouring, really? - I think so, yes.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52OK, so we have this one as the not British piece.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Now we've got a puzzle.
0:04:54 > 0:05:00I think, these tavern jugs are so rare, I think if this came up in auction, I'm going to...
0:05:00 > 0:05:04- I have to hurry you. - I'll have this as the most valuable.- Most valuable.
0:05:04 > 0:05:05And the oldest, please?
0:05:05 > 0:05:10Well, I think I'm going to put the little one at the far end.
0:05:10 > 0:05:15It's got things about it which make me think it's a primitive one from the early 18th century.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17OK. You come and stand with me.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19- OK, I'll stand with you. - Eric will tell us the truth.
0:05:23 > 0:05:30Believe it or not, the oldest piece that I am looking for isn't this chap in the tricorn hat.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34This is going to take some believing. It's actually this piece.
0:05:34 > 0:05:39Now, it's very much in the style of Westerwald.
0:05:39 > 0:05:40They've got the same grey body.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43The body itself, though, this is quite light
0:05:43 > 0:05:48when you pick it up and, also, it's a very smooth glaze, as well.
0:05:48 > 0:05:54You tend to find with the Westerwald examples that they've quite a coarse glaze on top.
0:05:54 > 0:06:04So, this particular one was dated to 1770 and, despite its German pretensions, it's a Brit.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07So, the odd one out...
0:06:07 > 0:06:11I can tell you is this piece.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16John, you said something, not seen before, a bit of a mystery.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20These are usually the pointers that are telling us that we've got a mystery object.
0:06:20 > 0:06:29This, in actual fact, is North European. It dates around about 1800, but that is our odd one out.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33So, when it comes to the most valuable, you got visibly excited
0:06:33 > 0:06:38when you looked at this piece and datewise you're looking at 1830.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42WR? Well, I think we'll settle for William IV.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47And, you're absolutely correct, this is our most valuable piece.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Well, well done. You get 10 points.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53You can get another 10 if you can tell us the price
0:06:53 > 0:06:58of the most valuable within 15% of the auction estimate.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00I'm going to go for £1,200.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Right, £1,200 we are bid.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06I was looking for 15% either side of £1,500.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11We are very near, but we're just not within the parameters of what we were looking for.
0:07:11 > 0:07:16- Thank you very much, John. - Thank you.- John walks away with 10 points out of a possible 40.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20Stella is next. Will she spot the oldest, most valuable
0:07:20 > 0:07:23and odd one out in her specialism, antique dolls?
0:07:23 > 0:07:29- And the odd one out, it's the only British doll.- Look at this!
0:07:29 > 0:07:35- It's not a good hairstyle, can I just say?- I think Queen Victoria might have had a bit of a go at you!
0:07:35 > 0:07:40- You think it's actually her?- Not her, but they did tend to try and sort of mimic some of her styles.
0:07:40 > 0:07:46We've got some fab wooden feet by the looks of things, so it looks like... Yes, it is all wooden.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51- Oh, that's a beautiful doll. - OK, let's move onto the next one. - A lovely little bisque doll.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56- We've got little pierced ears. - That's unusual, is it?- Some of the better ones do have pierced ears.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Now, what have we got? Oh, look at that!
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- We have... I get so excited about such silly things. We've got a Steiner.- Is that good?
0:08:03 > 0:08:08- Which is a German make. Mm-hm. - Mm-hm.- Uh hum.- Hmm mmm! - It's not bad.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10- Oh, right, OK.- It's not bad.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15Let's come on to the next one which, stylistically, is more similar to the first one.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Oh, she is fab.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22And you can actually compare them, because they've both got flat feet.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25The earlier dolls, you don't tend to get heels on the shoes and I'm
0:08:25 > 0:08:29hoping this is one of the really, really nice Grodnertal dolls.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- Valuable?- Yes.- Oh, right. So, possibly, the most valuable?
0:08:32 > 0:08:37- Yes. At the moment I'm thinking yes. - Right. We're going to be pressed for time.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Now, what do we think about her? She looks more robust.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42A bisque doll, and we're just going to upturn her again because we want
0:08:42 > 0:08:47to see the back of it and we have, I think, that's Simon and Halbig.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- Which is?- German. - German. Still in the German. OK.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52German, definitely German.
0:08:52 > 0:08:53She's got staggering buttons down the front of her.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Actually, hasn't she?
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- I didn't spot those.- Glorious! - Look at the work. - We're running out of time.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03Now she, it looks like she's had possibly a cordial too many.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05This is a beautiful English doll.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- She looks very long.- I've not seen feet like this, actually.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Now we're going to have to make some decisions. Let's pick the doll with the UK passport.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16- This one.- You think it's that one. Right, so that one goes there.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Now, although you shouldn't ask a lady her age, we need the oldest.
0:09:19 > 0:09:28- This one.- This one here. And the one that is the most valuable? - Ah! I'll have a quick look down.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33- Oldest... The most valuable. Steiner.- You can change your mind. This is the most valuable?
0:09:33 > 0:09:39- Yeah.- Sure?- No. - We'll put you out of your misery, we'll get in Mr Eric Knowles.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Let me find the grande dame in front of you.
0:09:44 > 0:09:53I am looking for somebody who is going to date to 1810 and this lady, you mentioned Queen Victoria and
0:09:53 > 0:09:56you thought it might be a little bit earlier.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Well, she's 1830 or thereabouts.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03But you're quite right, it's the princess, the Grodnertal doll.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05She's got all the credentials, hasn't she?
0:10:05 > 0:10:09I mean she is, in every sense of the word, she's royalty.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12So, 10 points to start you off there, Stella.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- Phew!- Now, the odd one out.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19You put the odd one out there and, if I was given the choice
0:10:19 > 0:10:21of putting this, I would have put it in the same place.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25- She would speak to you with a British accent.- Oh, yes.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27And as for the date? 1860.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- Well done, Stella, another 10 points.- Thank you.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33OK? When it came to our most expensive, I mean, look at them all!
0:10:33 > 0:10:41We were looking for something that dates from around about 1885.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- You went with this, didn't you? - Jules Steiner.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Actually, he started off as a watchmaker and then he became
0:10:46 > 0:10:51a toymaker and then he graduates to making these sorts of dolls.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53But is it the most valuable?
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- Yes, it is.- 10 points there.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58So, you've got 30 points in total.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00You could gain another 10 points.
0:11:00 > 0:11:07All you need to do is tell me how much is the Steiner doll worth, within 15% of the auction estimate?
0:11:07 > 0:11:10£2,500.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12£2,500 we are bid.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17£2,500 is very near, but it's not near enough.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22- We were looking for £3,100.- Oh!
0:11:22 > 0:11:25Stella takes the lead with 30 points.
0:11:25 > 0:11:34Sandy is last up. Can his passion for commemorative ware 1750 to 1900 win him the full 40 points?
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- Your odd one out is a 20th century reproduction.- Right.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41All right? So, now I have to ask you first of all if you're surprised to
0:11:41 > 0:11:44be in the semifinals, because in fact you lost in your...
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Yes, I feel very lucky to be here.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Well, you were the highest scoring loser with 85 points.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52You did very well. Now, what have we got here?
0:11:52 > 0:11:56Well, this is a wine glass, which has got a twisted stem.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59It's a gorgeous thing, isn't it?
0:11:59 > 0:12:03This is wheel engraved. The rose in itself might not necessarily tell us anything, but,
0:12:03 > 0:12:08if we turn it around to the other side, we have the Forget Me Not.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10It's about 1750.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14- They are used to toast... - So, it could be the oldest.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18- ..The absent Stuarts.- But could it be a 20th-century reproduction? - I don't think so.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20You don't think so, OK. Now let's come onto...
0:12:20 > 0:12:25Now, I'm not going to be too disparaging about it because I think my alarm bells are already ringing.
0:12:25 > 0:12:30- Oh, why?- What it's supposed to be is a commemorative object of
0:12:30 > 0:12:35a very famous sea battle, the glorious 1st of June.
0:12:35 > 0:12:36- This might be the odd one out? - Yes.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41The quality of the glaze and the blueness of it, is just...
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- It's not... There's something a little bit whiffy about it. - OK. Let's come on to the next one.
0:12:44 > 0:12:51This is a little commemorative plaque with the initials QC of Queen Caroline.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56- Oh, she didn't have a good life. - The wronged queen of George IV.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57It has to be sort of 1820s.
0:12:57 > 0:13:03This lustre ware is very typical of certain factories, but sort of
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- Sunderland is particularly associated with it. - Right. Now then, let us move on.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- Now, Rodney for ever. - Rodney for ever!
0:13:09 > 0:13:16The victor in a very important naval battle called the Battle of The Saints or Les Saints.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20- I would say that we are probably in Staffordshire here. - I'm going to have to...
0:13:20 > 0:13:26- Yeah, absolutely.- I'm always rushing people along, I'm afraid. - Then here we have a basalt teapot.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28On this side it has Nelson.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- It might have a mark on the bottom here.- There's a little bee.
0:13:31 > 0:13:37But this sort of ware was made by Wedgwood commemorating the death of Nelson at Trafalgar.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- Right, OK.- About 1805.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Well, let's start with our odd one out.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43Let's start with the one that you think is the 20th century reproduction.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48- Clearly shouting to me that I'm wrong is this object.- All right.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53- Let's move on to the oldest item. - The oldest object is the Jacobite glass.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- Jacobite glass. - And the most valuable?
0:13:55 > 0:13:57The most valuable?
0:13:57 > 0:14:00I will go with the Rodney object for the most valuable.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02Anything you would like to change your mind about?
0:14:02 > 0:14:07- No, I'm fairly confident with those. - Come here and find out what Eric has got to say.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14Let's look for our oldest item.
0:14:14 > 0:14:20I'm looking for something that does date from the middle part of the 18th century
0:14:20 > 0:14:22and I would go for our Jacobite glass.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26Datewise about 1750, maybe 1760.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Well done, 10 points.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32- Thank you.- Odd one out?
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Well, this isn't absolutely perfect.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38You probably noticed that this has not been made just as it should be.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40There's a little bit of blistering on there,
0:14:40 > 0:14:44but if I'm looking for the odd one out, yes, I'm going to go here.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49You can look in as many books as you like, but it's picking the things up, it's looking, touching, feeling.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53And it is 20th century.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55So, it is our odd one out.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Another 10 points.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00The most valuable? We've got characters here.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03I mean Nelson, of course, the most revered off all.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07But Caroline, the injured Queen of England.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10I can tell you now that this is, in actual fact,
0:15:10 > 0:15:15- is a little bit more valuable than the Nelson commemorative. But is it the most valuable?- No.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18It is your Rodney pearl ware.
0:15:18 > 0:15:24Datewise on this we have down for being 1790, so you're absolutely right.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27This is our most valuable piece.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32You've got 30 points so far. You can gain another 10 if you can give me
0:15:32 > 0:15:37the price of "Rodney forever" within 15% of the auction estimate.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41I will say £1,800.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44£1,800. £1,800, Mr Knowles. Will it buy us the bowl?
0:15:44 > 0:15:49It will buy you the bowl and a bit more because we were looking at either side of £1,000.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Nevertheless, you get 30 points.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58Well, let's have a look at where that puts us after the first challenge.
0:15:58 > 0:16:04John, you have a very creditable 10 points, you are in second place, but in joint first place we have Stella
0:16:04 > 0:16:08and Sandy, who both gained 30 points.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11One of you will leave the contest at the end of the next challenge.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15I have to say, 20 points, not much in it. It's all still to play for.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18So, let's go through to the Green Room for A Place In Time.
0:16:22 > 0:16:28In the second challenge, we've selected five antiques, all from different periods.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30First is a mystery wooden item.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Next a ceramic tureen.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37The third item is a snuff box, followed by a pair of vases.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Two candlesticks complete the line up.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43The antiques have been placed in random order.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Each contestant has five minutes to assess and position them from
0:16:47 > 0:16:51earliest to latest on the Antiques Master timeline.
0:16:51 > 0:16:5610 points will be awarded for each one they get right.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Sandy is first to examine the candlesticks.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- They are silver coloured and... - Silver coloured, does that mean they're silver?
0:17:02 > 0:17:06It does mean they're silver because they've got a hallmark on them.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10Well, it's got a crown. I think it's Sheffield silver.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12It's somebody, somebody and company.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14It's facing that way. Which one's that one, then?
0:17:14 > 0:17:16These are George or a William.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18Right, does that make them early, late?
0:17:18 > 0:17:23Well, it means it's earlier than Queen Victoria, which helps.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27The vases have an auction value of £1,600.
0:17:27 > 0:17:35They look to me like continental sort of vague Art Nouveau feel about them. Look to me like 1900.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- Art Nouveau, I'm hoping.- Why?
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Oh, I always get these muddled up.
0:17:40 > 0:17:48Because it's just a little bit more "growing from the earth" as it were.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- OK. More organic... - Organic, that's the word.- I'm here to please.- Organic's very good.
0:17:52 > 0:17:59The organic form and the way the glass is sitting would say they were sort of about 1900, 1910.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02The third piece to date is the snuff box.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Oh, this looks nice.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09- Now, have we got a patch box or a little snuff box? Oh, that's fine. - What's a patch box?
0:18:09 > 0:18:14When people used to get smallpox and it would be to sort of cover over little marks.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Here we have a snuff box made of horn.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21This sort of thing is, you know, made all over Europe, basically.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23And when you say horn, are we talking about a fairly domestic animal?
0:18:23 > 0:18:27- It's a cow horn, yeah.- Ah! OK. - So, you wouldn't have any problems with it being an endangered species.
0:18:27 > 0:18:33- No, there's not an ethical issue. - It's obviously been engraved and then inlaid in black.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36I suppose I'm going to date that about 1800.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39The ceramic dish is next up for inspection.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43It's ceramic and it's Crown Derby.
0:18:43 > 0:18:44Is that the mark or the style?
0:18:44 > 0:18:49- The mark there with the crown. - Oh, that's a bit of a giveaway.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51And it's the pattern that's called Imari.
0:18:51 > 0:18:57I think it's what they call the Imari pattern which was imitating a pattern from Japan.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02- Oh, OK.- And I think it was based on the Port of Imari because it's where the stuff got exported out of.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04I would think mid-19th century.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06This is rather gaudier, isn't it?
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- It's a bit busy.- This is the epitome of Victorian vulgarity, I think.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- Is it not your taste? - No, it isn't really.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15The mystery wooden box is last to be assessed.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- Now this is a most curious object, isn't it?- Yes.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19What do you think it is?
0:19:19 > 0:19:20- I've no idea. - Can you put your hand in there?
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Maybe I'm going to pull a rabbit out or something like that.
0:19:23 > 0:19:28- But it's got N and Y on here. - What does that suggest to you? - Or Y and N possibly. Yes, and no.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- I think it's a ballot box.- Ah!
0:19:30 > 0:19:34You drop your ball and if it drops down into the N, that's a no, and if
0:19:34 > 0:19:37you drop it into the Y, that's a yes, and the phrase "blackballing"
0:19:37 > 0:19:41comes from these sorts of objects because if the black balls are in the No...
0:19:41 > 0:19:43- You're out!- You're out. It's fab, isn't it?
0:19:43 > 0:19:47And what does the shape of it suggest to you, in terms of date?
0:19:47 > 0:19:51- I'm going to go with 19th century again.- OK.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52Just as a feeling rather than anything else.
0:19:52 > 0:19:58It's decision time. They have just one minute left to place the antiques in chronological order.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03This is the wild card. I think that I shall have this as the oldest.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Sandy thinks the snuff box is the earliest antique.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08I'm going to go for that.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Stella agrees, and so does John.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14They also all agree on the next item being the candlesticks.
0:20:14 > 0:20:20These are about 1790, 1800.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Stella places the ceramic dish in the middle of the timeline.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- Right.- And so does Sandy.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Don't worry, don't worry. Everything's under control.
0:20:29 > 0:20:30It doesn't look like it, but it is.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- But John goes for the mystery wooden box.- I'm going to put that there.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38Stella chooses the wooden box as the penultimate item.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Sandy agrees.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44- I think this is about 1860s. - But John picks the ceramic dish.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- I'm confident that these are... - Those are the latest, the youngest.
0:20:47 > 0:20:54- The latest.- Finally, they all agree on the glass vases as the latest item to complete the line up.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Are the contestants happy with their decisions?
0:20:57 > 0:21:00I'm confident that this is in the right place.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- I fear that those might be moved around.- 1800, a bit later...
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- Yeah.- A bit later... A bit later.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- A bit later... A bit later. - And much later.- And much later.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- Time's up.- Happy? - Yes.- No!
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Stella and Sandy's timelines match, but John's differs.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19Is either version in the right order?
0:21:21 > 0:21:27Well, you've all put your things in the correct order, you hope. Let's find out from Eric.
0:21:27 > 0:21:33Let's find our oldest item that should be on that particular podium.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35The item that should be there is right in front of me.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40It should be the horn box, and it is horn, but it's got a
0:21:40 > 0:21:45little wooden liner to make it tight because it is for snuff.
0:21:45 > 0:21:55Datewise, 1780 and it is our least valuable item in front of you, valued at a mere £250.
0:21:55 > 0:22:02- You all get 10 points. - So, next in line, as we make our way back towards the present day.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07If you know your ceramics, you will know that this type of porcelain stroke bone china was very popular
0:22:07 > 0:22:12from the late 18th century all the way through into the 19th century.
0:22:12 > 0:22:18If you know your hallmarks, you will know that these date
0:22:18 > 0:22:22to the reign of George III, which is no great help
0:22:22 > 0:22:26because he's there in the late 18th and early 19th century.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29So, if I was to put the two together,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32which would remain?
0:22:32 > 0:22:34The candlesticks.
0:22:34 > 0:22:39These date to 1802 and they are actually the most valuable.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42We have them priced at £2,000.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47Yet again, all three of you get 10 points.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49We're at the midway point.
0:22:49 > 0:22:50What goes midway? Is it this?
0:22:50 > 0:22:54Or could it be this?
0:22:56 > 0:23:06It's this. It is your Derby porcelain sauce tureen, not Crown Derby.
0:23:06 > 0:23:13From a collector's point of view, they will refer to this as Bloor Derby. It's 1820.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15And here we get a little separation of the points because
0:23:15 > 0:23:20Sandy and Stella are the ones who got that correct, so 10 points each.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25And so we're left with two interesting objects, I think.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27I mean, I find these quite beautiful.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31I think that they were intended for floral displays.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36They were probably by a firm called Stewart, circa 1900.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39I'm going to leave them there
0:23:39 > 0:23:45because this box, as you immediately said, that this is going to be mid-19th century.
0:23:45 > 0:23:51But then somebody mentioned the word "Edwardian" and so the cat is amongst the pigeons.
0:23:51 > 0:23:56But those of you who did say mid 19th century were absolutely right.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01The ballot box is 1845.
0:24:01 > 0:24:12So, this lovely pair of vases are 1900 in date and they are our latest items in front of you.
0:24:12 > 0:24:18And both Sandy and Stella got the ballot box right and all three of you got the lovely vases correct.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22So, shall we have a look and see what that does to our points.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Now John, you came in from the first challenge with 10 points, you've
0:24:25 > 0:24:30gained a very credible 30 points in this round and you have 40 points.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Sandy and Stella, you both started with 30 points
0:24:33 > 0:24:38and you have both gained the full 50, so you have 80 points.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42So, where does that leave us? Well, very sadly, John, you are in third
0:24:42 > 0:24:46place and your trip towards the title of Antiques Master finishes here. I'm so sorry to lose you.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48I do hope you've had a good time.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50- Absolutely, yes.- Good.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53It was a pleasure to meet you. Stella and Sandy, more work to be done.
0:24:53 > 0:24:59Only one of you will get a place in the final of Antiques Master.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03There is everything to play for as we go through to the Red Room.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09So, Stella and Sandy, you are two minutes away
0:25:09 > 0:25:14from a place in the Antiques Master final, but who will it be? It is time for your final challenge.
0:25:14 > 0:25:19I'm going to start with an open question.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Buzz if you know the answer. Five points if you get it right,
0:25:22 > 0:25:26but it is five points off for a wrong answer.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31If you answer correctly, choose one of the five categories for a further question worth 10 points.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36But, get the answer wrong, the question will be passed over to
0:25:36 > 0:25:42the other contestant with a chance for them to steal five points, so I suggest you choose wisely.
0:25:42 > 0:25:48The round will end after two minutes or when all five antiques are out of play.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51Well, I have to say, it couldn't be tighter.
0:25:51 > 0:25:56You are both on 80 points, so there is everything still to play for.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58The time starts now.
0:25:58 > 0:26:04What term describes a knot in wood, especially walnut, that's used in veneer to give a decorative pattern?
0:26:04 > 0:26:06- Yes, Sandy?- Burl.- Burl is correct. Please choose a category.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08Adam.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11With which cabinetmaker and craftsman did Robert Adam
0:26:11 > 0:26:16collaborate on several large house projects, including Harewood House and Nostell Priory?
0:26:16 > 0:26:21- Thomas Chippendale.- Correct. Open question, either of you can answer.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25Orientally influenced design is commonly known by what name, literally meaning Chinese?
0:26:25 > 0:26:29- Chinoiserie.- Chinoiserie is correct. Please choose a category.- Daum.
0:26:29 > 0:26:35Daum. With which furniture designer did Daum team up in order to add ironwork to his products?
0:26:35 > 0:26:38- Gallais. - Not correct. I'll pass to Sandy.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42- I'm sorry.- It was Louis Majorelle. Open question.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45The 18th-century brother and sister team, William and Mary Bielby
0:26:45 > 0:26:49are best known for applying what form of decoration to glass?
0:26:49 > 0:26:50- Sandy.- White enamel.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Correct. Please choose a category.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57- Wedgwood.- What is the name for this type of ceramic by Wedgwood?
0:26:57 > 0:27:01- Jasperware.- Correct. Open question. What standard of purity equal to 925
0:27:01 > 0:27:08parts of silver to 75 parts alloy has been attested since 1300 by the leopard's head mark? Sandy.
0:27:08 > 0:27:09- Sterling.- Sterling. Correct.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12- Please choose a category.- Elkington.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15What metalworking process did Elkington develop in the 1830s?
0:27:15 > 0:27:18- Electroplate.- Correct.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Open question. Which French city was a centre for bobbin lace
0:27:21 > 0:27:26and the site of a porcelain factory founded by the Prince de Conde in 1725?
0:27:26 > 0:27:27- Chantilly.- Chantilly.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Please choose a category. Spode.
0:27:29 > 0:27:35What was Spode's official trade name from 1867 until 1970?
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- No? I'll pass it over to Stella. - Copeland?
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Copeland is correct.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46After that extremely impressive display of knowledge,
0:27:46 > 0:27:51I can tell you that you have both concluded with very high scores indeed.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Stella, you have 90 points.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57But, quite considerably in the lead, Sandy, you have a very impressive
0:27:57 > 0:28:00130 points. You take the last remaining place in our final.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03My commiserations to you, Stella.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Sandy, how are you feeling?
0:28:06 > 0:28:08I'm buzzing slightly still.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Slightly buzzing. Let's see what Eric reckons.
0:28:11 > 0:28:16Well, really back from beyond the pale, really, but a worthy winner on this occasion.
0:28:16 > 0:28:22So, Sandy completes our final line up and he will be joining Charles Ormrod and Jonathan McFarlane
0:28:22 > 0:28:24from our other two semifinals.
0:28:24 > 0:28:30One of them will be walking away with the title of Antiques Master 2011.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34Do join us next time for what promises to be a gripping final.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40It feels really great to be in the final.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44I felt like I was in the zone in getting questions right that I
0:28:44 > 0:28:46somehow knew in the back of my mind. I was very pleased.