0:00:33 > 0:00:37This week the Roadshow is having a house party...
0:00:37 > 0:00:43at Mellerstain House in Berwickshire, one of the great historic homesteads of Scotland.
0:00:43 > 0:00:49Its lake is part of a tributary of the River Tweed, part of which forms the border with England.
0:00:52 > 0:00:57If it's fishing you're after, you'll come to no finer place,
0:00:57 > 0:01:01because the Tweed is Scotland's foremost salmon river.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06One of the keenest fishermen was Sir Walter Scott,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09who waxed lyrical on the subject.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11"Along the silver streams of Tweed,
0:01:11 > 0:01:15"Tis blyth the mimic fly to lead
0:01:15 > 0:01:17"When to the hook the salmon springs
0:01:17 > 0:01:21"And the line whistles through the rings."
0:01:23 > 0:01:28As a boy, Scott was sent to his grandfather's farm near Mellerstain
0:01:28 > 0:01:32to recuperate from polio. He grew to love the area so much,
0:01:32 > 0:01:36he built a baronial home on the banks of the Tweed at Abbotsford.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40But this was his favourite view.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44From here, Sir Walter would look out onto the Eildon Hills
0:01:44 > 0:01:50and the town of Melrose where, legend has it, the heart of Robert the Bruce lies.
0:01:50 > 0:01:56At Sir Walter Scott's funeral in 1832, the horse leading the cortege to Dryburgh Abbey
0:01:56 > 0:02:00suddenly stopped at this very spot - out of habit,
0:02:00 > 0:02:04because this is where his master used to stop him.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09A poignant tale about a man whose image is on the Scottish bank notes
0:02:09 > 0:02:12that he fought so hard to retain.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Mellerstain House was begun in 1725 by William Adam
0:02:16 > 0:02:20and was later completed by his more famous son Robert.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24Next week, we'll be looking in more detail at this building,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28but today, the Mellerstain trustees are the hosts of the Roadshow.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33So let's see what the folk of the Borders have got for our experts.
0:02:33 > 0:02:38I remember my father buying it, along with a lot of mess silver -
0:02:38 > 0:02:41- he was in the Royal Scots Fusiliers. - Right.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46The regiment was going to India, and my father retired - in 1935, I think,
0:02:46 > 0:02:50and he bought this and several other pieces which I didn't keep.
0:02:50 > 0:02:57- When he died, I sold them because insurance was too much.- Yes. - But I've always loved this.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00I'm not surprised because, looking at it,
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- my initial reaction is a spoon warmer.- Absolutely.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Then you get a big surprise when you open the lid!
0:03:07 > 0:03:12- This is it, because...a money box? - Yes.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- A swear box.- Oh, a swear box!
0:03:15 > 0:03:19- Anybody who swore had to put something in.- How much?- I don't know.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23- I suppose you could have put a sovereign in.- Absolutely, yes.
0:03:23 > 0:03:29- I don't know how old it is.- Well, first of all, it begs the question -
0:03:29 > 0:03:33- is it original or not? - This is what I'd like to know.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37Now... And here's another surprise, actually, because normally,
0:03:37 > 0:03:42- if you get a spoon warmer of this form, they're electroplated.- Yes.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44And that's silver.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48This is silver. But there's another surprise, because it's IRISH silver.
0:03:48 > 0:03:55- Really?!- So what is a Scottish regiment...- ..doing with an Irish...? I wouldn't know.
0:03:55 > 0:04:01- The date of this - double M - 1866. - Right.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06- There must be a reason.- Well, it was definitely the swear box.- Right.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11The maker, funnily enough, is this mark over here, which is "JS",
0:04:11 > 0:04:15but the name "West" is underneath. This is what they did in Dublin -
0:04:15 > 0:04:19you'd get the maker there, and then the retailer would put his stamp on.
0:04:19 > 0:04:25- Right.- Little lock. With money inside, it has to be locked up.- Yes.
0:04:25 > 0:04:30- No key, I'm afraid.- It should be easy to find a key. It'll be a basic key.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34But, interestingly, it's marked also on the lid there...
0:04:34 > 0:04:40- Yes.- Now, that confirms that the lid is original...- Yes.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42- to the nautilus shell.- Yes.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44Lovely flush hinge there as well.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48- I think it's lovely. - Had this been a spoon warmer,
0:04:48 > 0:04:52either it would have been left open... Some do have lids,
0:04:52 > 0:04:57but they have a slot at the front for the spoon.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59So this convinces me...
0:04:59 > 0:05:04- That it IS a swear box.- ..that it was made as a swear box.- Yes.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07So, fascinating object.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11It's a difficult object to put a value on. Have you got it insured?
0:05:11 > 0:05:16Yes... Well, it's in the household insurance. I haven't...
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- It's not specified?- No, no. - I suggest you insure it
0:05:19 > 0:05:23- for somewhere around £5,000. - Really? Yes.
0:05:23 > 0:05:29The typical Scottish feature about it is this large central drawer.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32Do you know what's kept in there?
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- Look at the depth of it.- Drink?
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Well, there's a good Scots answer!
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- No. This is a bonnet drawer.- Right.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44And it's specially designed to take hats.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- Oh.- And that is a typical feature
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- of a Scottish chest of the early 19th century.- Yes.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55These were also made in England, but they were known as Scotch chests.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59This particular example is really rather nice. It's mainly mahogany,
0:05:59 > 0:06:04but it's got some lovely details. For instance, the bonnet drawer
0:06:04 > 0:06:08is the only one that has this beading around it,
0:06:08 > 0:06:12and it's also the only one with this cross-banding in rosewood.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17All the rest of the drawers have this ebony lining.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19- They're family pieces?- Yes.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23This belonged to my grandfather's cousin, Chrissie Kelly.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28- It was in her house in Gullane for many years.- What about this piece?
0:06:28 > 0:06:35This small chest belonged to Nancy Brackett, who was a cousin of my father's. She's now passed away.
0:06:35 > 0:06:41We think this went to America with her as a young married woman and came back again when she was widowed.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44They're both very well looked after.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- This one is probably made for a child.- Ah, yes.
0:06:47 > 0:06:54Possibly, sort of en suite, if you like, with a doll's play set,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56but it's a lovely little thing.
0:06:56 > 0:07:02Like the lower one, it has some typically Scottish features, such as this ribbing
0:07:02 > 0:07:07and this heavily turned corner pillar. Likewise on the chest below,
0:07:07 > 0:07:12we have this reel and bobbin turning which is typically Scottish.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Probably by an Edinburgh maker,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18it's got the quality, it's got the presence, um...
0:07:18 > 0:07:23The problem with valuing these Scotch chests is that they're large,
0:07:23 > 0:07:25and so that cuts two ways.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29They're large and capacious and very impressive,
0:07:29 > 0:07:34but not many people have bedrooms in which you can accommodate this.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36So, I think, in terms of insurance,
0:07:36 > 0:07:42- you ought to think of at least £1,600 to £1,800, which is a lot of money for a chest of drawers.- Yes.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47But, the little chest of drawers is only a quarter of the size,
0:07:47 > 0:07:52but it punches well above its weight in terms of its value,
0:07:52 > 0:07:58- and I think you ought to think in terms of £1,200 to £1,500. - Mmm! Very good. Thank you.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- Do you know who T Kirkpatrick & Co are?- No, I've never heard of them.
0:08:02 > 0:08:09- Not at all.- They're a local firm - they may still be in existence - of jewellers,
0:08:09 > 0:08:16who would have retailed this clock. It's not made by them, it's actually Swiss.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20- Right.- Dates from the early years of this century
0:08:20 > 0:08:23and is really rather a splendid piece.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27- The base is made of lapis lazuli... - Yes, I recognise that.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32Not the best lapis. The best lapis is a very, very dark blue,
0:08:32 > 0:08:36but they weren't so concerned about it. It's not gem quality.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41- Handy for a little foot like that. - Unusual too. Usually, they're agate.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46The case is silver and decorated with engraving and this blue enamel,
0:08:46 > 0:08:50blue translucent enamel. But what is slightly unusual
0:08:50 > 0:08:53is the dial being oval,
0:08:53 > 0:08:58and it's likely that the dial material is a sheet of thin ivory,
0:08:58 > 0:09:03then the numbers painted on it, and tiny chips of diamonds in the hands.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07If I turn it round and open it up, it gets even more interesting...
0:09:07 > 0:09:13because it's rare to find the signature of the Swiss manufacturer of the movement, and it's here -
0:09:13 > 0:09:16on the movement AND on the case.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21E Mathey-Tissot, which is their stamp there. The stamps are silver
0:09:21 > 0:09:25and the word "argent", which is silver in French.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29Originally, the clock would have been gilded - it's worn off outside,
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- but it's perfect on the inside.- Yes.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37A conventional movement, but again, with a little added bonus. This is the bonus...
0:09:38 > 0:09:41CHIMING
0:09:42 > 0:09:44Lovely.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51- Minute repeating. I was waiting for the last four or five blows.- Yes.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55They're either quarter repeating, or minute repeating.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58The minute repeating is the best option. Nice little thing.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02- Have you got it insured or valued? - No, I haven't.- Hmm.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Well...
0:10:04 > 0:10:10- I'd say a minimum of £3,000.- Really? For that little clock? How wonderful.
0:10:10 > 0:10:16You ought to see these, Michael. You'll never see an earlier telephone depicted in porcelain.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- I say.- I've never seen it before.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23They've got the cables going up the wall,
0:10:23 > 0:10:27and the insulators - I think they are - that linked the wires.
0:10:27 > 0:10:33- Made in 1822.- That would be slightly before the earliest telephone - that would be very clever.
0:10:33 > 0:10:39- Made around 1900, so very, very high-tech.- What are they worth?
0:10:39 > 0:10:44To a collector of telephones, a pair of damaged high-tech vases,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47probably no more than about £30.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49And they're...
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- they're speaking German. - I can hear the sea.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58She actually came from my nana's,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01so she's probably early 19...
0:11:01 > 0:11:06- probably between 1900 and 1910, I would think.- Now, that...
0:11:06 > 0:11:08- She's a French doll.- Yes.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12I was quite surprised to find a French doll here, I don't know why.
0:11:12 > 0:11:19But did your grandparents, or great grandparents travel much? Or do you think she was bought in the area?
0:11:19 > 0:11:23She's got "France" written on the back of her neck,
0:11:23 > 0:11:27but that's all I know about her. And her clothes...
0:11:27 > 0:11:32Let's have a look at her - if you can trust me with your baby!
0:11:32 > 0:11:36Even before I look at the back of the head,
0:11:36 > 0:11:40there are several things that indicate that she's a French doll
0:11:40 > 0:11:43and by one of the good French makers.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48The first thing is her complexion, she's very pale in complexion.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51If you look closely at the eyes,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54they are almost like paperweights -
0:11:54 > 0:11:58- they're incredibly realistic. - That my husband doesn't like.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03- Why's that?- They watch all the way round the room, wherever you are.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06He says she's watching him.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11And the eyebrows - very lustrous, very busy.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15She's got a distinct style to her, the little cupid bow mouth -
0:12:15 > 0:12:18again very distinctive.
0:12:18 > 0:12:23She's got pierced ear lobes here, so she would have had jewellery.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27Now, let's turn her round and have a look.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29What we see, printed in red,
0:12:29 > 0:12:33is "Tete Jumeau", and the number 11.
0:12:33 > 0:12:40This particular mark didn't come in till about 1885.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44And we know that she's between 1885 and 1899,
0:12:44 > 0:12:48because in 1899, Jumeau as a company, ceased to exist.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52It joined forces with other French companies
0:12:52 > 0:12:55and they became known as SFBJ,
0:12:55 > 0:13:00which was the "Societe de Fabrication de Bebes et Jouets",
0:13:00 > 0:13:02so they formed an amalgamation.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05So it's interesting.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09You said, as far as date was concerned, perhaps 1900-1910.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- Mmm.- But I wonder, then, if it wasn't your grandmother's...
0:13:13 > 0:13:17- Passed on to her. - Yes, exactly, exactly.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21I think that's more like it. Her body is made of composition,
0:13:21 > 0:13:26she's got joints at the elbow and the shoulder and at the wrist.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- This wrist is a little bit on the floppy side.- It is.
0:13:30 > 0:13:35- I was wondering...would it be worth having this restored?- Definitely. - Tightened.
0:13:35 > 0:13:42Absolutely. There's a system of rubberised strings throughout the body, which hold it all together.
0:13:42 > 0:13:47- Yes, I've pinged them. - You pinged her?! - < LAUGHS
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Well, you know, then, that after a while, it loses its stretch,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53and it's quite a simple job
0:13:53 > 0:13:58for a doll-restorer to restring the doll, as she's called.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01She's got a nice outfit,
0:14:01 > 0:14:03and then she's got three others.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06She's got a nice sailor's costume,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- this looks like a party dress.- Yes.
0:14:09 > 0:14:14- I like to think it was her Christmas party dress.- With shoes to match!
0:14:14 > 0:14:19And then a little red outfit with a sort of caped top.
0:14:19 > 0:14:25Lovely. So, we're looking at a very good quality French doll, and she would have been expensive
0:14:25 > 0:14:30even when she was bought in the latter part of the 19th century.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35Today, that holds in good stead, because with her costume here and her shoes and so on,
0:14:35 > 0:14:42- we'd be talking about a value between...- I don't want to know. - Are you sure you don't want to know?
0:14:42 > 0:14:48- I'd hate to be tempted to sell her. - You'll never be tempted to sell her, rest assured,
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- because she's not yours, she belongs to those that come after.- Right.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54She's going to be worth between...
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- £3,000 and £4,000.- Oh!
0:14:57 > 0:15:04- So she's a treasure in every sense of the word, really.- Yes.- Thank you so much for sharing her.- Wonderful!
0:15:04 > 0:15:08- And what's this?- A cricket basket. - It's a cricket basket.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12So when you're a mandarin, you have crickets to sing
0:15:12 > 0:15:14- and accompany you on your journey.- That's true.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19- And that was a cricket basket. - I don't think it was.- You don't?
0:15:19 > 0:15:24I don't know. Cricket cages are normally rectangular and shallow.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- Those are for fighting crickets. - Yes...- This is for singing crickets.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33Well...I mean, you COULD put a singing cricket in it.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38I mean, it would go in there. I'll tell you what would worry me...
0:15:38 > 0:15:42- I've got some bits of handle in here.- Yes, I'm afraid so.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- The bottom is pierced.- Yes?
0:15:45 > 0:15:49Well, the poor cricket's leg would go through there and break
0:15:49 > 0:15:53and it wouldn't be able to stridulate. These are well known,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56and these were for Western use.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01- Ah, yes.- I don't think the cricket cage holds true.- No?
0:16:01 > 0:16:05- May I tell you who told me it was? - Please.- Arthur Negus.- Ah.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09The orient was not Arthur's strong point.
0:16:10 > 0:16:17No, but it's also been handed down the family that it WAS a cricket basket, but...
0:16:17 > 0:16:20- I doubt it.- You doubt it? - I doubt it.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23I think it's just a decorative basket.
0:16:23 > 0:16:29These were imported in large numbers, not just in tortoiseshell and ivory, but also in plain ivory,
0:16:29 > 0:16:34during the Regency period because that chinoiserie was the style then.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- I think it was meant purely for decoration.- Hmm.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43It's a bit of a noble wreck, because you've got a lot of damage on it.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48- Who restored it?- Our local dentist kindly did it for me.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52After all, he works in ivory - teeth - doesn't he?
0:16:52 > 0:16:56I love it! A dentist restoring ivory.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Um, he...he...
0:16:59 > 0:17:02I can't say he made a good job of it.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- It's blobby in places.- Yes, I agree.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07It's made of tortoiseshell,
0:17:07 > 0:17:09pierced tortoiseshell,
0:17:09 > 0:17:14and the quality of the carving on these panels is quite incredible.
0:17:15 > 0:17:20It's against a background of very, very fine lines,
0:17:20 > 0:17:27and, of course, easily damaged, but they have survived pretty much in good condition,
0:17:27 > 0:17:29it's not too bad at all. To me,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32the best bit is that knop.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37That is the most magical, wonderful knop I've ever seen.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40I would dearly love to own just that bit,
0:17:40 > 0:17:44I'd get so much pleasure out of it. It's a pineapple,
0:17:44 > 0:17:49- and the pineapple was the symbol of hospitality in England.- Was it?- Yes.
0:17:50 > 0:17:56Again, that suggests to me much more a European connection
0:17:56 > 0:17:58than an Eastern connection,
0:17:58 > 0:18:02- so I think it was made for the Western market.- Yes.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05The basket, with more work on it,
0:18:05 > 0:18:11I would think that would make £800 to £900, something like that.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16- Thank you for bringing it in.- Thank you very much for talking about it.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23- You've got a Lowry.- I have. - How did you get that?
0:18:23 > 0:18:29Many years ago, I worked in the Castle Hotel in Berwick as a hotel receptionist,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32and Lowry used to stay there quite often,
0:18:32 > 0:18:36and if it was a miserable morning, he used to sit in the lounge and doodle.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41He brought this to the desk one day and said would I like to have it?
0:18:41 > 0:18:47I said, "Yes, of course," because it's just hotel notepaper that it's actually on.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52- And this was a sort of thank-you? - I would imagine, yes. - Almost like an autograph.- Yes.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- It's a little, lovely sketch.- Yes.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59"21st August, 1958." Not everyone knows the value of these things.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04No. About a fortnight ago, there was an article in The Scotsman newspaper
0:19:04 > 0:19:08and this lady who worked there after me,
0:19:08 > 0:19:12he did a portrait of her, and she obviously didn't like the work
0:19:12 > 0:19:15and tore it up and put it in the bin.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20She might be cross she did that. I've been talking to our expert
0:19:20 > 0:19:26and he says it's a pity it's on ordinary paper, it's got the name of the hotel on, and there's a crease,
0:19:26 > 0:19:31but it IS Lowry, and he says this is worth between...
0:19:31 > 0:19:34£3,000 and £5,000.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37My goodness gracious!
0:19:37 > 0:19:41- Can I have it?- No! You can't!
0:19:41 > 0:19:44This box dates from about 1770...
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- And...- 1770?- 1770, yeah.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52It's a very old little box, and we have a partner here,
0:19:52 > 0:19:56which has got a different design. We'll stick with this one just now.
0:19:56 > 0:20:03- WAS it "the gift of a friend"?- Yes. I paid £10 for it, but it was from a friend.- Right, OK.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07It's what we call a Bilston enamel box.
0:20:07 > 0:20:13It's actually enamel on copper, and it has a brass mount which secures the lid to the base.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17- Why is it black?- It's basically because it's tarnished.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22And what you mustn't do is clean it. Leave it exactly like this.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26It's oxidised and it's gone down to this dark colour.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30Now, many people would say that this is a snuff box,
0:20:30 > 0:20:34but they would be incorrect in saying that. The giveaway
0:20:34 > 0:20:36is when we open it up,
0:20:36 > 0:20:41because if we do open it up, inside is a little mirror.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44Now, that mirror means that this is a patch box.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49If I were an 18th-century dandy, and I'm sure I was in a former life,
0:20:49 > 0:20:53I would be taking my patches out of here,
0:20:53 > 0:20:59- and using this little mirror to position them on my face. - So you'd have this in your pocket?
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- Exactly. This is your portable patch box.- Yeah.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07This little one here dates from the same period
0:21:07 > 0:21:11and has a more typical Georgian motif on it.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16Again, it's Bilston and again, it's around about the same sort of date.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19They're both very charming little items.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23Value-wise, your £10 on that one, I think,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26has multiplied to around about £150.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- How much?!- About £150.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33And this one, a little bit less, at probably around about...
0:21:33 > 0:21:39- £100 to £150 - these are auction prices.- I like that one better.
0:21:39 > 0:21:45Well, I prefer The Gift Of A Friend, it's that little bit more special.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47Mmm. I'm absolutely thrilled!
0:21:50 > 0:21:55Kynoch Limited. Birmingham, England. Unless I'm very much mistaken,
0:21:55 > 0:21:59- it'll be something to do with ammunition.- Yes.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- They were a major manufacturer of ammunition.- Yes.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Here we have the complete series of the processors
0:22:06 > 0:22:11that were used to make a 303 mk7 rifle cartridge,
0:22:11 > 0:22:16which was the standard British cartridge from 1888
0:22:16 > 0:22:20until almost the 1960s. It survived for a very long time.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25- Yeah.- Originally a Swiss design. A chap called Rubin developed it.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30It was one of those happy designs that was very, very efficient
0:22:30 > 0:22:34and right first off and survived for a very long time,
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- and much loved by many generations of servicemen.- Yes, that's a fact.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43There's a very interesting letter that comes with it
0:22:43 > 0:22:47from the general manager of Kynoch to Admiral Goodwin,
0:22:47 > 0:22:51who was deputy engineer-in-chief of the admiralty,
0:22:51 > 0:22:55and it's dated 22nd June 1915, and it says,
0:22:55 > 0:22:59"I'm sending you this specimen collection".
0:22:59 > 0:23:05I suspect that this is probably something to do with the procurement process
0:23:05 > 0:23:09- for ammunition for the Navy. - Yes, I think so.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13He'd just done a tour of the factory
0:23:13 > 0:23:18- and I would imagine this was sent to him as a souvenir.- Yes, yes.
0:23:18 > 0:23:25- A very interesting thing. Where did you get it from? It's not the sort of thing that you see around.- No.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28My mother was of a naval family,
0:23:28 > 0:23:32and they knew the Goodwin family,
0:23:32 > 0:23:37and I knew his son, Lord Goodwin's son,
0:23:37 > 0:23:44and...I was a teenager at the time, during the war.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49He had a rather morbid interest in firearms.
0:23:49 > 0:23:55- I don't think there's anything morbid about having an interest in firearms.- He had this...
0:23:55 > 0:24:01- In the house there were an awful lot of strange bombs and shells... - Sounds like paradise to me.
0:24:01 > 0:24:07..and strange things that were pertinent to the First World War.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12- And I just had an interest in this... - Very nice gift.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16..which was curious, as far as I'm concerned, interesting.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Yes, very interesting.
0:24:19 > 0:24:24It also has commercial value as well because ammunition collectors today
0:24:24 > 0:24:28are interested in not just acquiring rounds of ammunition -
0:24:28 > 0:24:32collecting ammunition is a very large market -
0:24:32 > 0:24:37but there's also a great interest in anything that's connected with it,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40so this has commercial value.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44I think that it's worth about £750 to £1,000.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- Absolutely certain.- Good grief!
0:24:50 > 0:24:53This is a truly splendid piece.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58It's a bit of high Victorian majolica, made by Mintons
0:24:58 > 0:25:04in about 1875-1880. And I long to know how you come to have it.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08I inherited it from my mother-in-law.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12I went in to see her one day when she must have been in her late 80s,
0:25:12 > 0:25:15and this was sitting on the floor...
0:25:15 > 0:25:19underneath the table in the dining room, and I thought,
0:25:19 > 0:25:24"That's not very secure, not very safe," and I said to her,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26"Why have you put it on the floor?"
0:25:26 > 0:25:32She said, "I'm going to give it to the jumble sale on Saturday, dear."
0:25:32 > 0:25:36So I was appalled because I've always been very fond of it,
0:25:36 > 0:25:42so I said to her, "Please don't do that, but could we buy it from you?"
0:25:42 > 0:25:46And she said, "No, not at all, you can have it."
0:25:46 > 0:25:50And I've always loved it. I love the glaze of it, I love the colourings.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55Well, it's wonderful. We think it looks lovely out here,
0:25:55 > 0:26:00we open it, take out the liner, and there's a beautiful turquoise glaze.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02Look at the richness of that.
0:26:02 > 0:26:07And then when we turn it up, there's all sorts of exciting things -
0:26:07 > 0:26:12the pouter pigeons here... It really is a splendid object.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16Now, when you offered to buy it from your mother-in-law,
0:26:16 > 0:26:21did you ever consider how much you ought to be paying her for it?
0:26:21 > 0:26:24- No, no. Never. - Because, you know, nowadays,
0:26:24 > 0:26:29if she still had it and you'd wanted to buy it from her,
0:26:29 > 0:26:34I expect you might have had to pay her about £8,000.
0:26:34 > 0:26:41- Well, I don't think I would have managed that somehow!- That's probably what it's worth today.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47You make me feel cold here!
0:26:47 > 0:26:51- Got on everything I possess! - We're very hardy.
0:26:51 > 0:26:57Well, look, three graces - and disgraces! - a vision of loveliness on this cold day.
0:26:57 > 0:27:03Now, why are you dressed in this costume and where has it all come from?
0:27:03 > 0:27:10- We are all members of an amateur dramatic club in the Borders called Beaumont Theatre.- Very good.
0:27:10 > 0:27:16And we were very lucky in that we were given all these dresses by a resident from Yetholm.
0:27:16 > 0:27:22She's now moved away, and she was wanting them to go to a good home where they would be used, so...
0:27:22 > 0:27:26- So she gave them to the drama group. - Yes.- Wonderful!
0:27:26 > 0:27:33- We do Noel Coward and... - Have they been used recently?- Yes. This one was on stage last night!
0:27:33 > 0:27:38- This one's been used.- Really?- I've worn that one a couple of times.
0:27:38 > 0:27:43- I've got it on today.- Well, you're lucky because you've got sleeves!
0:27:43 > 0:27:47Do any of them have a history?
0:27:47 > 0:27:53Well, we believe that this one may have danced with the Prince of Wales who later married Mrs Simpson.
0:27:53 > 0:27:59- Edward VIII that nearly was? - It's possible that this one danced with him.- How do you feel in it?
0:27:59 > 0:28:03- Oh, fabulous!- Do you feel like a princess?- I do!
0:28:03 > 0:28:06She's waiting for the Duke of Roxburghe!
0:28:06 > 0:28:11Value-wise, they're not going to be terribly valuable.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15Looking at them, probably the one that you're wearing,
0:28:15 > 0:28:19and this, because the fabric is so sensational...
0:28:19 > 0:28:25- The colours have stayed marvellous. - I guess she had them packed away, or only wore them at night.- Yes.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29Those two are probably the most valuable,
0:28:29 > 0:28:33But, even then, we're talking about under...maybe £100 for them.
0:28:33 > 0:28:40- We didn't think of them as very valuable, we just didn't want to ruin them.- I think you should enjoy them
0:28:40 > 0:28:46- and they'll eventually fall to pieces and hopefully not when you're in them!- Might make a sensation!
0:28:46 > 0:28:53- That would draw the audiences, wouldn't it?- Not at our age! - Well, if the WI can do it...- Indeed!
0:28:53 > 0:28:57I don't know a great deal - that's probably why I'm here.
0:28:57 > 0:29:02I know that it's quite old, I know that it's - I hope - quite valuable.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04And it's one of my favourite pieces.
0:29:04 > 0:29:09- You have a collection of porcelain? - A small one, a very small one, yes.
0:29:09 > 0:29:15- I think any collector would regard it as a gem.- I'm glad to hear that.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18You like rococo-style porcelain?
0:29:18 > 0:29:23- I am collecting, really, early English.- This is what you've got.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27This is a wonderful piece of early English porcelain,
0:29:27 > 0:29:30rococo moulded after silver shape.
0:29:30 > 0:29:35It's made of a porcelain produced at Worcester, one of the classics.
0:29:35 > 0:29:40This is a marvellous piece of moulding, decorating and printing.
0:29:40 > 0:29:45Inside. it's printed in the style of Robert Hancock - swans on the pond,
0:29:45 > 0:29:50and then we have square riggers in these cartouches on the side here,
0:29:50 > 0:29:56but it evokes the early period of Worcester in the 1750s, just after the factory was established.
0:29:56 > 0:30:01I think this is a lovely combination of foreign flowers,
0:30:01 > 0:30:06Chinese flowers here, with English rococo moulding. Marvellous object.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10I think it would realise between £3,000 and £4,000,
0:30:10 > 0:30:15certainly at auction, and you'd have to pay more than that in a shop.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18- Does that grab you?- Very much so!
0:30:18 > 0:30:22I purchased this in 1967/8
0:30:22 > 0:30:28- and I know that I won't have paid more than £150 for it.- Well, that's a pretty good deal.- Yes, it was.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32- Fantastic.- At auction. - Do you ever use it?- Never!
0:30:32 > 0:30:36No! I'm sorry, it stays in my cabinet.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- It's far too precious for that! - You could start using it now.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- No, we won't! I don't think so, not really.- No.- No.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46THUNDER RUMBLES
0:30:46 > 0:30:51Well, the skies have opened and a mass migration is under way
0:30:51 > 0:30:54in the direction of the marquee.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57But what do you think it is? Initially...
0:30:57 > 0:31:03it looks like a sort of container for holding an animal, perhaps?
0:31:03 > 0:31:10- Hunting scenes. - Yeah, it's decorated with hunting scenes.- What does it do?
0:31:10 > 0:31:14- I see, that opens.- It's got a wooden base. I don't think that's right.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18No, when you look at the quality of all that metalwork
0:31:18 > 0:31:23and the way it's been sort of nailed onto the base...
0:31:23 > 0:31:29I tell you... I think it's for... like a carriage warmer.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31- Oh, you'd put charcoal in?- Exactly.
0:31:31 > 0:31:37- It would have had a metal base originally.- Yeah, it's conceivable that it had a different base,
0:31:37 > 0:31:42- maybe with a tray that lifted in or out.- Which may have burnt through,
0:31:42 > 0:31:47- and they nailed it onto a wood base. - What about age, though?
0:31:47 > 0:31:52- The fretwork looks good.- Yeah. That's earlier than 19th century.
0:31:52 > 0:31:58- Looks 18th century, doesn't it? - The scenes are 18th, aren't they? - Lovely decoration on the frieze.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03Well, that's jolly good. It's a vesta case, for matches,
0:32:03 > 0:32:09in the shape of a sentry box. It's got a guard on duty.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11There's the strikes...on the bottom.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15- Have you chased the hallmark? - No, we haven't.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18London, 1886.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20£1,000.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23That's very nice!
0:32:23 > 0:32:27Now, I've just been talking to my colleagues about this.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31We're all of the general opinion that it's called a Dutch warmer.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35- Can you tell me how you acquired it? - It came from my family,
0:32:35 > 0:32:39- I think it's been in the family for a long time.- It's a Dutch warmer.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44I don't know whether you know what that is, but, basically,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47- it was a receptacle that had charcoals in it...- Yes.
0:32:47 > 0:32:53It probably would have been used in a carriage to keep the inside warm,
0:32:53 > 0:32:56and this is a nice example. Late 18th century,
0:32:56 > 0:33:01decorated with hunting scenes. It's actually very, very decorative.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03I think the base has been altered -
0:33:03 > 0:33:08- for obvious reasons, it wouldn't have had a wooden base on it.- Oh.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12- But this is going to be worth around £200 or £300.- Yes.- Nice item.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17My grandfather knew the artist and collected his paintings.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20I have two more at home.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24They were then left to my mother and, consequently, I have them now.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28- So it's come directly through the family.- Yes.
0:33:28 > 0:33:33You've brought in two nice examples of Watterston Herald's work.
0:33:33 > 0:33:38He did, for most of his life, work in and around the area of Arbroath,
0:33:38 > 0:33:41- which is where he was born.- Yes.
0:33:41 > 0:33:46First of all, we'll look at this beautiful watercolour which is nice.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49Titled - A Country Fair. A lovely sort of busy scene,
0:33:49 > 0:33:55with some travelling entertainers entertaining the local folk.
0:33:55 > 0:34:01It's a lovely example of what we call blottesque,
0:34:01 > 0:34:05which was a style of watercolour painting
0:34:05 > 0:34:07first introduced by Arthur Melville.
0:34:07 > 0:34:12He was a wee bit earlier than Watterston Herald,
0:34:12 > 0:34:17and he was one of the leading members of the Glasgow school.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21The second one is, presumably, a view of the harbour in Arbroath -
0:34:21 > 0:34:24most of his work was in the area.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26Equally nice.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30Again, this very similar application of the blottesque...
0:34:30 > 0:34:33This perhaps illustrates it more effectively -
0:34:33 > 0:34:37a sort of sponging out of the colour.
0:34:37 > 0:34:43It softens the form of the composition - highly effective,
0:34:43 > 0:34:48and was very popular during Herald's time. Do you have them insured?
0:34:48 > 0:34:53- No.- Well, Watterston Herald is an artist who is in vogue at present
0:34:53 > 0:34:57and I would have thought this watercolour -
0:34:57 > 0:35:00which is an important work by him -
0:35:00 > 0:35:06- would probably make in the region of about £7,000 to £10,00 at auction.- Good God!
0:35:06 > 0:35:10The second picture is less important but still very nice,
0:35:10 > 0:35:15- and we're talking of £3,000 to £5,000.- Right.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19- Nice news and thanks for bringing them in.- Thank you. I'm delighted.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23It looks good, but it's not a big enough desk, really, for a man.
0:35:23 > 0:35:29It was bought by my grandfather for my grandmother when they lived near Lancaster
0:35:29 > 0:35:32in the late '20s or the early '30s
0:35:32 > 0:35:35from, I think, a shop called Waring and Gillow.
0:35:35 > 0:35:41I see. Well, you mention a desk and it is really a secretaire cabinet,
0:35:41 > 0:35:45but it's got all these different elements of style
0:35:45 > 0:35:49which is very characteristic of a particular period -
0:35:49 > 0:35:53which is earlier than when it was bought for your grandmother.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55This gallery at the top -
0:35:55 > 0:36:00very open, very tall - is quite Arts and Crafts in character
0:36:00 > 0:36:03which takes it back to the 1880s, 1890s.
0:36:03 > 0:36:07And in lots of ways, the angularity of it
0:36:07 > 0:36:11- is related to Arts and Crafts furniture.- Yes.
0:36:11 > 0:36:17Multi-purpose - very much an English feature, with a desk at the top and cabinet at the bottom.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21I think if we just...open there,
0:36:21 > 0:36:26it's a pretty little straightforward secretaire interior, but as you say,
0:36:26 > 0:36:30- it's female, it's a lady's desk. - It has that feel.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35- I think it was a very appropriate gift for my grandmother.- Absolutely.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37I think that's nice.
0:36:37 > 0:36:43Above all that, is the decoration on the front of the cabinet,
0:36:43 > 0:36:48particularly these great sprays of decoration,
0:36:48 > 0:36:52- which look a bit like balloons.- Yes.
0:36:52 > 0:36:59- In fact, with the mother-of-pearl inlay, it's clearly honesty. - Oh, I never thought of that.
0:36:59 > 0:37:04- And with the whiplash stems here, we're in Art-Nouveau country.- Yes.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08The whiplash is very continental - French, Belgian Art Nouveau.
0:37:08 > 0:37:14The angularity here is more secessionist Viennese Art Nouveau,
0:37:14 > 0:37:18coming together in something with a slightly Arts and Crafts character.
0:37:18 > 0:37:24Very English. I'm sure this is an English piece. And down here,
0:37:24 > 0:37:30the cabinet part, little doors... And I think that is so smart.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33Yes, I've loved that all my life,
0:37:33 > 0:37:36since being able to crawl around and notice it!
0:37:36 > 0:37:40- That is very sexy, I think.- Well, that has never crossed my mind,
0:37:40 > 0:37:44- but I'll think about it! - That is delightful,
0:37:44 > 0:37:49but also inside, it shows you that it's a music cabinet.
0:37:49 > 0:37:54- Yes, yes.- The quality of the piece of furniture is fantastic,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57you've seen how these doors work.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01The ground wood is mahogany. I don't know who made it.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05Waring and Gillow established itself in the late 19th century,
0:38:05 > 0:38:09but it's not the kind of style I associate with them.
0:38:09 > 0:38:14Well, I understand from my father, whom I asked just the other day,
0:38:14 > 0:38:19that this may not have been new when it was bought there at that time,
0:38:19 > 0:38:23- because they also sold second-hand furniture.- Excellent.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27I think it was probably literally second-hand when he bought it.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31Made around 1900-1910, and quite expensive when it was first made.
0:38:31 > 0:38:39- Now, I think you would certainly put, for insurance purposes, at least £3,000.- Mmm.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43It's the kind of thing that is increasing in interest.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47- It's a lovely piece of furniture. Thank you very much.- Thank YOU.
0:38:47 > 0:38:52- So...- It was when ladies travelled with their own dressing case.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56- In some style, one has to say. - Absolutely.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Ready for any eventuality, you can see.
0:38:59 > 0:39:04- You've even got a mirror here.- Yes, which comes out and stands.- Super.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08So, with most of these cases, what you find are the things
0:39:08 > 0:39:16- associated purely with the dressing table...- Oh, but this is also a picnic set.- It was, indeed,
0:39:16 > 0:39:22- because we've got the spoons and forks...- And I might say that the forks are so sharp,
0:39:22 > 0:39:24- you have to be careful.- Right!
0:39:24 > 0:39:29What I think's marvellous though, is an object like this, the teapot.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34All the different sections. Somebody has to sit down
0:39:34 > 0:39:39- and work all this out for everything to fit...- Beautifully made.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42..inside everything else. Here's the little lamp...
0:39:42 > 0:39:46A little methylated spirits burner.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48So, meths in that, yes.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51That slots in there...
0:39:51 > 0:39:54then that comes out of there...
0:39:54 > 0:40:00Ooh, glass container. I suppose you keep your tea in there.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04I always thought you drank out of it, although it might be a bit hot!
0:40:04 > 0:40:09Yes, that may be a problem. So, you can happily make whatever.
0:40:09 > 0:40:14It's wonderful. It's wonderful. It is, of course, French.
0:40:14 > 0:40:19- Yes, so I believe.- This decoration, which is engine turning,
0:40:19 > 0:40:24was actually a technique developed by the French in the 18th century.
0:40:24 > 0:40:29You don't really find it in England before the 19th century,
0:40:29 > 0:40:31but it's in wonderful condition.
0:40:33 > 0:40:38- Now, you're saying about 18...? - 1830s, maybe? I don't know.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40- That fits to perfection.- Oh, good.
0:40:40 > 0:40:47Because the French marks that we've got here are between 1820 and 1840.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49Oh, good.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53But the contents are really quite phenomenal.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55That is to put your toothbrush in.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- There are toothbrushes in it. - Oh, gosh!- There were.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01Oh, and there we are, yes.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05And, of course, you can set in the new bristles.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09Let's see what else we've got. Oh, gosh!
0:41:09 > 0:41:13Look at this all. The scissors... and the writing equipment...
0:41:13 > 0:41:18- if you wanted to write letters... - Yes, and a little blotter.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21- Let's go a little bit lower. - Couple of jars...
0:41:23 > 0:41:25Actually, if I take that out...
0:41:28 > 0:41:31- Ah, what have we got here? - Clothes brush.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35- Brushes...well, a brush. - A hairbrush.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39Oh, look at that, it's all set in ivory, there.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41What's in here?
0:41:41 > 0:41:44- I think that...- Another brush.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47That needs a bit of olive oil or something,
0:41:47 > 0:41:53just rub that gently into the surface. You'll be amazed how that brings that back.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56Perfume containers and so on.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59You can smell... One of these, you can actually smell.
0:41:59 > 0:42:05- It's looks as if there's something in it.- I can't open it. You do it.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08- Oh, there we are. - Now, you smell that.
0:42:08 > 0:42:13I've a dreadful sense of smell. It has to be strong for me to smell it.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16Oh, I can smell that, yes.
0:42:16 > 0:42:21- So old.- It's like touching history. That's been in there 100 years.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23- So...- Or more.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27A French set, so complete. All these wonderful objects...
0:42:27 > 0:42:32- Some of these objects themselves... - I know.- ..are worth a bit of money.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36Today, if this was coming up at auction,
0:42:36 > 0:42:40you would probably have to think in terms of at least
0:42:40 > 0:42:46- £8,000 to £10,000.- Mmm. - I wouldn't be surprised to see it going at rather more than that,
0:42:46 > 0:42:49because it is marvellously complete.
0:42:51 > 0:42:56As well as some choice items, we've had the total weather experience today.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00To put it in the local vernacular, at first it was bonny, then it started smirring
0:43:00 > 0:43:04and now it's decidedly dreich. We're coming back next week,
0:43:04 > 0:43:08when we'll tell you more about Mellerstain House.
0:43:08 > 0:43:12But, for now, from Berwickshire, goodbye.