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 > 0:00:10For eight weeks, the country's finest antiques minds
0:00:10 > 0:00:14were put to the test in a series of demanding challenges.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Now, as we reach the semi-finals,
0:00:17 > 0:00:21the contest gets even tougher as the elite return to battle it out
0:00:21 > 0:00:25in the stately Regency Rooms at Townley Hall in Burnley.
0:00:25 > 0:00:30Their goal, a place in the final.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Hello, and welcome to Antiques Master.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55I'm Sandi Toksvig and this is the search for Britain's top amateur antiques enthusiast.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59Over the series, we have seen 24 contestants go into battle
0:00:59 > 0:01:01and now just nine remain.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03Tonight, in the first of our semi-finals,
0:01:03 > 0:01:07three of those nine compete for just one place in the Antiques Master final,
0:01:07 > 0:01:12all under the watchful eye of our resident antiques expert, Mr Eric Knowles.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14They may be one step closer,
0:01:14 > 0:01:19but ultimately just one will walk away with the title of the Antiques Master.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22So let's meet tonight's semi-finalists.
0:01:22 > 0:01:28Charlotte Howard from Wiltshire loves the timeless beauty of antique jewellery.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31I really think I've got what it takes to become Antiques Master
0:01:31 > 0:01:34as long as I stick to my gut instinct this time.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Charles Ormerod from London.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39His specialism is Sheffield plate.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41What I'm worried about with the other contestants
0:01:41 > 0:01:45is that they might have a better general knowledge of antiques than me.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47And Monica Evans from Warwickshire,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50whose passion is the history of kitchenalia.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54Of course, I want to win it very much indeed
0:01:54 > 0:01:56and I should be delighted to do so.
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 > 0:02:08The journey continues.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Now, your first challenge is all about your antiques specialisms.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19We know each of you has a different antiques passion
0:02:19 > 0:02:22and we're going to put that specialist knowledge to the test.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Once again, we have scoured the country for five glorious examples
0:02:25 > 0:02:29for each of you, and what you need to do is to study them and tell us the following.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Which is the oldest, which is the most valuable
0:02:32 > 0:02:34and which one is the odd one out?
0:02:34 > 0:02:36There's a total of 40 points available.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39You get ten points for each antique that you correctly identify
0:02:39 > 0:02:42and there's an extra ten points if you can tell us the price
0:02:42 > 0:02:48of the most valuable piece to within 15% of the auction estimate.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51So let's see who's got a real eye for detail.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53Charlotte is the first to be tested.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56Will her love of jewellery from the Regency period
0:02:56 > 0:03:00through to Art Deco translate into points?
0:03:00 > 0:03:05- And in your case, the odd one out is the only continental... - Continental?
0:03:05 > 0:03:08..piece. Let's have a look. I don't even know what that is.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11It's a bracelet. This is woven hair, blonde hair.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14- Real hair?- Yes, real hair.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17A lot of people think hair in jewellery was to do with mourning
0:03:17 > 0:03:21and so they think it came off a dead body, but a lot of it was to do with love.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24This is probably a love token because of the stone.
0:03:24 > 0:03:25I think it's paste,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28but it could be pink sapphires and diamonds, possibly.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30That one, it's Georgian.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34- Well, early Regency, I would've said. - OK, let's go on to the next one.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36Now, this is very interesting.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40- At first glance, you would think it was sort of neo-classical Georgian style.- Right.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43But when you look closer, it's almost moving towards
0:03:43 > 0:03:46the Art Nouveau aesthetic movement by the 1880s.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Actually, this one might be the continental one.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52It feels slightly sort of Iberian, Spanish. I'm not sure.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57- Now, your mum went a very long way in the previous series. - Don't keep reminding me.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01- Was she pleased with you? - Yes, she was. The locks weren't changed.- Good.
0:04:01 > 0:04:02Yes, I was still allowed home!
0:04:02 > 0:04:06Oh, this is gorgeous. I've never seen one in the form of a crab.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- This is unusual.- Why would you want a crab on your lapel?
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Worse than crabs, people have spiders and bugs and all sorts.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18It looks like a tourmaline in the centre. I don't think it's an emerald.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Or it could be a Russian diopside.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25- A stone I've never heard of in a shape we've not seen often. Would it make it more valuable?- Yes.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- We're going to run out of time... - I'm rambling on.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32Oh, this is a lovely piece of Art Nouveau jewellery. This is definitely English.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34It's very restrained, very Liberty & Co.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- It's beautiful, isn't it? - Yes, it's a Baroque pearl.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40There's no mark on that, so I don't know who it was by, but there were many makers.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Most valuable? We don't know yet.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45- Possibly, yes.- All righty. Next one.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47It looks like an Essex crystal from here.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52The quartz is carved from behind and then painted backwards, if you know what I mean.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54You start at the front of the painting,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57so the little detail on his feathers, and then you go to the background.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00Shall we start with the oldest?
0:05:00 > 0:05:04Yes. I would probably go with...
0:05:04 > 0:05:06- The hair.- Either that or that.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09But I'm hoping this is the continental one.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11So that would make that one the oldest,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- no later than 1810, I would say.- OK. Odd one out?
0:05:14 > 0:05:19- I would say this is the continental one.- Because of the design?- Yes.
0:05:19 > 0:05:25- And the most valuable.- Well, I wish I knew Art Nouveau makers more.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28If this was somebody special, it could be the most valuable one,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31but this has got the best diamonds in it.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- But these are very collected, so I would probably...- I'm going to have to hurry you.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38I'll plump for that one. I hope it's by a really nice maker and Eric will tell me.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40OK, you come and stand with me.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- Are you all right?- Yeah.
0:05:48 > 0:05:49Let's look for our oldest.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53And if I was to place the oldest myself on here,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- I would, I'd concur with you, I'd go with that.- Great.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Although we did think it was a little bit later.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03You said no later than 1810. We had it 1820, but we're not...
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- You're quibbling now. - Ah, picky.- Yeah, picky.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10- Quibble not, quibble not. - Well, you get ten points for spotting the oldest, so well done.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13When it comes to our odd one out,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16I think if you'd have looked really carefully,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19you would've found some little French marks on there
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- and consequently absolutely right. - 20 points.- Marvellous.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Now, where do we go for our most valuable?
0:06:26 > 0:06:32Essex crystals can make big money depending on their subject.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37- Pheasants, however, not the most attractive. So it's between the two. - Yeah.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- Because this has got precious stones.- Yes.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- This has no precious stones.- No. - But could it have the pedigree? - That's what I wondered.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48I can tell you, had it been marked, that would've made a big difference.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53But this has got all the credentials that I'm looking for.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56The stone is actually a green emerald.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00So it is the most valuable.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Nevertheless, we are nothing if not generous on Antiques Master.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06We'd like to give you another five points.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11But in return you need to give us the auction estimate of the most valuable, the crab.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- Right.- Within 15%, please.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16OK. Um...
0:07:16 > 0:07:18£2,750?
0:07:18 > 0:07:21We were hoping you might go that little bit further.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- We were looking for anything either side of £4,000.- Wow.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29Nevertheless, you get 20 very creditable points. Well done, Charlotte.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34Charlotte walks away with 20 out of a possible 40 points.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39Will Charles spot the oldest, most valuable and the odd one out
0:07:39 > 0:07:42in his specialism, Sheffield plate?
0:07:42 > 0:07:47And in your case, the odd one out is one isn't Old Sheffield Plate.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49One isn't Old Sheffield Plate?
0:07:49 > 0:07:51- Yes, OSP.- Yeah.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53I'm trying to keep up with you.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57A soup tureen, and it's quite late,
0:07:57 > 0:08:001840 or thereabouts
0:08:00 > 0:08:03and it all looks right, but very florid.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- You like that?- Very Victorian.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07It wouldn't be my favourite of the...
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- We've got some wonderful things here. - Hint of a sneer, OK.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- What have we got? We've got candlesticks, clearly.- Yes.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17Oh, it all comes apart. Oh, it's like a kit candlestick!
0:08:17 > 0:08:21And sometimes these would build up so you could sort of extra branches in,
0:08:21 > 0:08:24so you had a great sort of wedding cake tier of branches.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26I love this idea. That's marvellous.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30Now, this looks correct as well. We can see a silver edge here.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32Let's have a look at the base.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35That might be a Matthew Boulton piece.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Who's Matthew Boulton?
0:08:37 > 0:08:39A big, big name in Sheffield plate.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41- Oh, OK.- Yes.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43- So you're an IT consultant, aren't you?- Yes.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47It's more writing and talking than making computers go.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51I tried that when younger and I was rubbish at it.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- This is a dish cross. - And what do you do with that?
0:08:54 > 0:08:57You keep a dish warm with it and it's these feet that just...
0:08:57 > 0:09:00I think we've got some problems here with these.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04The way these are formed doesn't seem quite right.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- We're going to have to have a quick zoom along.- Yep.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- What are they for?- Bottle coasters. - Sort of wine stands?
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Mmm, so you can sort of shunt your bottle across the table
0:09:14 > 0:09:17without scratching the table surface.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19What are you looking for?
0:09:19 > 0:09:25Just trying to get to a better idea of what's going on with this wire.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27It's very unworn.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Perhaps they weren't big drinkers.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Or it could have been electroplated in later life, but...
0:09:33 > 0:09:36You're hedging your bets. There's a lot of "mmm" going on.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- Now, this is...- Whoa, very large.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41Yes, like a small piece of Sheffield.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- Blimey, it's so heavy.- Oh, golly.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- Is it made of wood underneath? - I guess that's just a frame.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50- Somebody's taken a window frame and made it into a tray.- Yes!
0:09:50 > 0:09:53I've never seen anything quite like this before. Hang on, what's this?
0:09:55 > 0:09:57Mayer... something.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02And it's got a sort of funny, like an eagle, a double eagle.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05- This could be something that I've never, ever seen before.- Yeah.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07This could be Sheffield plate from overseas.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09This could be, shall we say, Russian.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12We are going to have to make some decisions
0:10:12 > 0:10:16or rather you are, Charles, and we're going to start with the oldest item.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- Ahh!- Oh, that big, heavy sigh.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21Oh, it's tough.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Hah! Let's say that's the oldest.
0:10:24 > 0:10:25Right, OK, very good.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28The odd one out, the one that is not Old Sheffield.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31This, I feel, is continental.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- Right. So we're going to go for the Russian window?- Er, yeah.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39- And finally, the most valuable. - Not sure if that mark indicates Boulton or not.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43Normally it's a sun, and it doesn't look like a sun. It's more like a...
0:10:43 > 0:10:45Oh, it is, it is. It's a Boulton mark.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- The other one, most valuable? - Er, yeah.
0:10:48 > 0:10:49OK, we're out of time.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Let's put you out of your misery
0:10:52 > 0:10:54and get the expert opinion of Mr Eric Knowles.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Well, let's look for our oldest.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05You had a few problems with this, didn't you? You didn't really...
0:11:05 > 0:11:10- Still not sure.- It has had repairs and that's what threw you, Charles.
0:11:10 > 0:11:16But you were absolutely right. It dates to around about 1780.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- Well done, Charles. Ten points. - Let's look for our odd one out.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24I like it when people say, "I've not seen one like this before."
0:11:24 > 0:11:28Usually, it points to the culprit.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33It is continental and there's a little medallion in the centre.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36The sort of thing that I've never personally ever seen
0:11:36 > 0:11:39on English Plate, so absolutely right.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41So 20 points so far.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44So, I need to find out our most valuable.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46These, you spotted the pedigree.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51- It doesn't really get much better than Matthew Boulton, so it's the candlesticks.- Well done.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Well, we will give you a further ten points
0:11:54 > 0:11:57if you can tell me the auction estimate within 15%.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Er, it could still be a bit low ball,
0:12:00 > 0:12:02but I'd say about 1,800, something like that.
0:12:02 > 0:12:09Well, in actual fact, I was looking for 15% either side of £2,500.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13Nevertheless, you get 30 points and you are in the lead. Well done.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17Charles takes the lead with 30 points.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Monica is the last one up.
0:12:19 > 0:12:25Can her fascination for the history of kitchenalia put her in first place?
0:12:25 > 0:12:29For the odd one out, one of these is not kitchenalia.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34- All right, what do you think this might be?- Not quite sure.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39- DN, which could be the Duke of Northumberland.- All right.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Oh, it's got lots of little compartments.
0:12:41 > 0:12:46Oh, yes, it has liners in it of kinds.
0:12:46 > 0:12:47Ha ha ha!
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- It gets more exciting.- What have we here?- Well, I wish I knew.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54It's really rough on the outside like a nutmeg grater,
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- but I'm sure it's not that at all. - Right.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- Can I come back to that? - You may, my love, you may. Let's go on.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- Now, this is a...- Treasure trove.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09- Obviously for pounding something like peppercorns.- Right.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- What do you think that the wood is? - I think it's Lignum vitae,
0:13:12 > 0:13:17which quite decorative objects were made out of like wassail bowls.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21All righty. Let us come on to another piece wood.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Now, this I do recognise.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25It's a plate tilter.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29You put your plate on to tip the sauces down.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Now, whether it would be used at table
0:13:31 > 0:13:34or whether it would be used by a cook
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- so that they could baste the sauce over...- Oh, I see.
0:13:38 > 0:13:44- Right, yes.- That looks to me sort of anything from early 1800s
0:13:44 > 0:13:46through to late Victorian.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50I'm going to have to press you along. We always run out of time.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53This is rather a sweet little nutcracker.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57- Has it got a face on it? - Yes, it's got a dear little face.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59He opens his mouth and shuts it.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03Do you know, in Denmark, where I come from, every Christmas I get out the nutcracker
0:14:03 > 0:14:06and I have something similar to that shaped like a soldier.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09It's funny you said that because it doesn't look English to me.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Ah, right. Possibly valuable?
0:14:11 > 0:14:15- I wouldn't think it's particularly... - Not particularly. All right. Next one.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22Now, this is a lovely piece. It's got a lovely pattern around it.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- It doesn't open or anything?- No.
0:14:24 > 0:14:29I was thinking it was a pie form, but it doesn't stand very steady.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33- Erm, I'm not absolutely sure. - Right, OK.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37Nevertheless, sure or not, we're going to have to make some decisions.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Shall we start with the oldest?
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Um...
0:14:43 > 0:14:48- ..Er...I think possibly this is the oldest.- Right.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50Sort of early 1700s.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52OK. And now let's find the most valuable.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57- I think I'm going to go for this one as the most valuable. - All right.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00And the odd one out, the one that is not kitchenalia?
0:15:00 > 0:15:03I think I'll go for this.
0:15:03 > 0:15:09OK. You come and stand with me and I'm as keen as you are, I think, to find out what Eric has got to say.
0:15:09 > 0:15:10So much of it is a mystery.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19So let's look for our oldest object on here, because they all look old, don't they?
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- But believe it or not, you were right.- Oh, well done.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- Ten points.- It's a good start.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30It is Lignum vitae. It's a very heavy wood and it is for grinding.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35The date on that, believe it or not, 1670. Good start.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Now, we are looking for our odd one out, something here
0:15:39 > 0:15:45that would never be in a kitchen, and this you would find in a tavern,
0:15:45 > 0:15:50and it is for actually putting into a tankard
0:15:50 > 0:15:54and knocking your dents out of your pewter tankard.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59So, as such, it is our odd one out.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03So that does leave us with the most valuable.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- In this box you might have found a few nutmegs.- Oh.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10And in these particular boxes...
0:16:10 > 0:16:14It's a spice box. But is it the most valuable?
0:16:14 > 0:16:16It's not. I can tell you right away.
0:16:16 > 0:16:22You actually did make a comment about this nutcracker, and you said it's not particularly valuable.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24It is particularly valuable.
0:16:24 > 0:16:30- Oh, dear.- Because it's very early 18th century. It's English.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32It's a little treasure.
0:16:32 > 0:16:38Well, we will give you a further five points if you can tell us the auction estimate within 15%.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41About £1,000.
0:16:41 > 0:16:47- We are in the league of £2,500.- Oh!
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Wow, I'm not surprised you didn't get that.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51Fantastic. Well done, Monica.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53You get ten points.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Thank you so much.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00So let's have a look. At the end of a gruelling first challenge,
0:17:00 > 0:17:03the scores are as follows.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Charles, you are in the lead with 30 points,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Charlotte, you have 20, and Monica, you have ten.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10One will leave the contest
0:17:10 > 0:17:16at the end of the next challenge, but what I do know about this game is it's anybody's at this point.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19So let's go through to the Green Room for A Place In Time.
0:17:23 > 0:17:30In the second challenge, we've selected five antiques, all from different periods.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33First is a stylish bowl.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35Next, a piece of treen.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40Followed by a pair of ornate candlesticks,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43then a glass vase.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46A silver card case completes the line-up.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49The antiques have been placed in random order.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53Each contestant has five minutes to assess and position them
0:17:53 > 0:17:57from earliest to latest on the Antiques Master timeline.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00Ten points will be awarded for each one they get right.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08The first item to have its age assessed is the silver card case.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12- It's Victorian and it's made in Birmingham.- Right.
0:18:12 > 0:18:13There's Victoria's head.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16And it's made by somebody called NM.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19And that looks like a picture of Windsor Castle.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Anything to do with the Royal Family was incredibly popular.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24It's about 1840, 1850.
0:18:24 > 0:18:29Oh, I wish I could remember the name of the maker and sound frightfully intelligent.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31It's Nathaniel Mills.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33So when was Mr Mills out and about?
0:18:33 > 0:18:36Well, I suppose he was out and about mid-19th century.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40The next item to be examined is the glass vase.
0:18:40 > 0:18:46Two things come to me - either Art Deco 1920s, 1930s or modern 1980s.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48- What can you see?- Nothing.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Hello.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52Oh, ha-ha. It is Lalique.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Oh, it's like being in an Agatha Christie.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Yes, yes, it is Lalique.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03- Is there an R sitting under that little felt pad?- I don't know.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05I suspect there is, yeah.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09That places it, I suppose, 1920-25.
0:19:09 > 0:19:14The candlesticks now need a place on the timeline.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17They're very rococo in style.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- There's a tiny mark that I can't really distinguish.- All right, so...
0:19:21 > 0:19:25It could be Rockingham or Chelsea, or something like that.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27- This is a head-scratcher.- Oh, why?
0:19:27 > 0:19:31This looks like the kind of thing that could easily be
0:19:31 > 0:19:36a Victorian reproduction of something and it all sits very flat, as well.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39The glaze doesn't sort of bubble and run.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Right.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46My mother will kill me because she knows a lot about porcelain.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49But I don't have a great affinity with English porcelain. She looks 18th century.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53She's not pretty-pretty, is she? She's got quite an angular face.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- A bit over-made-up. - Yes. Not a problem I have, of course.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- Give us a guess here. Give us a guess.- So, 1760.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02The treen object is next to be dated.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Ah, it's got a hole in the bottom there.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06- And this comes out.- Right.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09It definitely turns into a cup.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13Two tiny goblets.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Wooh.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- Wooh.- What on Earth is this?
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Could it be sort of something to do with dice or...?
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- I haven't the foggiest.- Oh! I see.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Is it your own travelling egg cup?
0:20:27 > 0:20:32- 1820s, 1810, something like that. - All righty. And finally...
0:20:32 > 0:20:35The last antique that needs a place in time is the bowl.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37It's very Art Nouveau, this particular piece.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41It has that sort of organic form.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45- It just says number 2586. - Oh, that old one.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- It's almost a bit like Ruskin ware. - Which would be when?
0:20:49 > 0:20:54But I would date that from Art Nouveau, about early 1900s.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59- Well, this looks like it's an Arts and Crafts item.- All righty.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04Perhaps a bit late in the Arts and Crafts period, maybe more like 1890.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Oh, it's obviously been in a museum, so it's quite valuable.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- How can you tell it's been in a museum?- It's got museum marks on it.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13- See, wherever that's come from.- So...
0:21:13 > 0:21:15So it's Pilkington or something.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17- Which is when?- That's 1905.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20It's decision time.
0:21:20 > 0:21:25They have one minute left to place the antiques in chronological order.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Yes, I'll put these as the earliest.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Monica opts for the candlesticks as earliest.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35Charlotte agrees.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38But Charles thinks the treen is the oldest item.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40I think the honeymoon egg cups are next.
0:21:40 > 0:21:46Charlotte and Monica agree again, and place the treen second earliest.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51But Charles thinks the candlesticks belong in position two.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55There's total agreement as they all place the silver card case
0:21:55 > 0:21:58in the middle of the timeline.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00And this is very Art Nouveau-ish.
0:22:00 > 0:22:05The consensus continues as they put the bowl in penultimate position.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- Art Nouveau. - They all complete the line-up by placing the glass vase as latest.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12I'd hate to drop a Lalique.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17With time running out, are the contestants happy with their decisions?
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- Do you want to change your mind? - No. I think we're OK.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24No, I think I'm going to leave it like that. I'm not at all convinced.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- Are you happy? - As happy as I'm likely to be.
0:22:27 > 0:22:32Time's up. Charlotte and Monica's timelines are identical, but Charles disagrees.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37Is either version in the correct order?
0:22:40 > 0:22:47Right, you have all put your items in the correct chronological order. Well, you hope so. Let's find out.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Let's have a look at the oldest item that should be on that podium.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55Well, I can tell you I was looking for
0:22:55 > 0:23:00this pair of Derby figures dating to 1770.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03And for those interested in 18th-century porcelain,
0:23:03 > 0:23:05they'll be looking for these pad marks.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07So that's my oldest.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10So ten points to Monica, and ten points to Charlotte.
0:23:10 > 0:23:11Right, next.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13The card case.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16There's no doubt about the date on that
0:23:16 > 0:23:19because it's actually hallmarked 1840.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21But, as for the castle on there,
0:23:21 > 0:23:24I think you'll find it's Warwick rather than Windsor.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28- And I can say that absolutely nobody got that one right.- No.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31And let's have a look at something that caused
0:23:31 > 0:23:33a certain amount of consternation.
0:23:33 > 0:23:39What you've got are two travelling egg cups.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43So, date-wise on these, they are 1870,
0:23:43 > 0:23:47and they are the least valuable of the items
0:23:47 > 0:23:49that you see before you at £150.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53And they're worth no points to anybody, I'm afraid.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56It gets interesting at this end of the table, doesn't it?
0:23:56 > 0:23:58This is Pilkington.
0:23:58 > 0:24:04The Pilkington word was used. It dates to 1905.
0:24:04 > 0:24:10And, as such, when it came to the latest,
0:24:10 > 0:24:12it is Rene Lalique.
0:24:12 > 0:24:18It is so Deco and dates from about 1925, maybe a tad later.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20It's called Nanking,
0:24:20 > 0:24:24and it is worth £8,000.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Well, let's see what all that has done to the scores,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30because all three of you got the last two correct.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34Charles, you came into this round with 30 points,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37you have gained another 20, so you have 50 points.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41Charlotte, you came into the round with 20 and have gained 30 points,
0:24:41 > 0:24:44you're exactly the same as Charles and also have 50 points.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48Monica, you had ten to begin with, you gained 30,
0:24:48 > 0:24:50which leaves you with 40,
0:24:50 > 0:24:53and, unfortunately, you won't be taking a place in the final.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56- Have you had a good time? - Oh, yes, indeed.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Well, how nice, and it's been a pleasure to meet you.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Now, the two of you, to your final challenge.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05One of you will be leaving tonight with a place in the final.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07Let's go through to the Red Room.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16Right, Charlotte and Charles, one of you is two minutes away
0:25:16 > 0:25:22from a place in the Antiques Master final, but who will it be?
0:25:22 > 0:25:24I'm going to start with an open question.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26Please buzz if you know the answer.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28It's five points if you get it right,
0:25:28 > 0:25:31but five points off for a wrong answer.
0:25:31 > 0:25:32If you answer correctly,
0:25:32 > 0:25:37you can choose one of the five categories for a further question worth ten points,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40but get the answer wrong, the question will be passed over
0:25:40 > 0:25:44to the other contestant, who might just steal five points away,
0:25:44 > 0:25:45so choose wisely.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49The round will end after two minutes
0:25:49 > 0:25:51or when all five antiques are out of play.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Now, you both have 50 points,
0:25:53 > 0:25:57so there is everything to play for, and the time starts now.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01Mazarine, introduced at the Chelsea porcelain factory in 1756,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04is an intense dark shade of what colour?
0:26:04 > 0:26:05Blue?
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- Correct. Choose a category. - William Morris.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11What is the name for this style of William Morris chair?
0:26:11 > 0:26:13Oh, rustic?
0:26:13 > 0:26:15- I'm going to pass it over. - Handicrafts?
0:26:15 > 0:26:17It's Sussex.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20What name for spiral-turned legs popular in the mid-17th century
0:26:20 > 0:26:21comes from a type of sweet?
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Charlotte?
0:26:23 > 0:26:24Sorry.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28Take five points away, the answer was Barley-sugar Twist.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31The Capodimonte porcelain factory was founded in 1743
0:26:31 > 0:26:35in a Royal palace close to which Italian city?
0:26:35 > 0:26:36- Charles?- Naples.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Naples. Please choose a category.
0:26:39 > 0:26:40Oh, WMF.
0:26:40 > 0:26:45With whom did Straub & Son merge in 1880 to create WMF?
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Mr Wurtemberger?
0:26:49 > 0:26:50Not correct, Charlotte?
0:26:50 > 0:26:52- Pass.- The answer is Ritter & Company.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56Who took over her family's silversmithing business
0:26:56 > 0:26:58after the death of her husband in 1760?
0:26:58 > 0:27:01The firm is noted for its Neoclassical tableware.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03- Charles?- Hester Bateman?
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Correct. Choose a category.
0:27:05 > 0:27:06Caughley.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Relating to the county where they were produced,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12by what other name were the wares of Caughley known?
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Derby?
0:27:14 > 0:27:15- No. Pass it over.- Worcester?
0:27:15 > 0:27:17The Salopian China Company.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19What name is usually given
0:27:19 > 0:27:22to a pocketwatch with a hinged full cover?
0:27:22 > 0:27:23Charles?
0:27:23 > 0:27:25A pear case?
0:27:25 > 0:27:26MUSIC SIGNALS END OF THE ROUND
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Incorrect, I'm afraid.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31The answer was hunter, so you lose five points.
0:27:31 > 0:27:32Let us see the final scores.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Charlotte, it looks like you're going to have a little turn,
0:27:35 > 0:27:39- are you all right? - Yeah, I might pass out in a minute.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Well, it was incredibly close.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43There is just five points in it.
0:27:43 > 0:27:48Charlotte, you conclude the competition with 50 points.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50Charles has just beaten you with 55,
0:27:50 > 0:27:54and that means, Charles, that you take the first place in our final.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58Charlotte, I am so sorry, many commiserations.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Now, Charles, how are you feeling?
0:28:00 > 0:28:02- I'm amazed.- Are you amazed?
0:28:02 > 0:28:03I'm amazed, I can't believe it.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05Well, let's get Eric's verdict.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07I was on the edge of my seat there.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09It was a near-run thing.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12But congratulations and commiserations.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14So, Charles is our very first finalist.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Join us next time for the second semi-final to find out
0:28:17 > 0:28:18who will be joining him.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22It's proving to be a very gripping contest to find out
0:28:22 > 0:28:25who's going to be our 2011 Antiques Master.
0:28:25 > 0:28:26Don't miss it.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34To get in the final, I can't really believe it.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37No, I'm still taking it in.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:54 > 0:28:57E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk