0:00:08 > 0:00:11We have the most stunning fairytale castle as our backdrop today.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15We've also got a great crowd, although this one isn't saying much,
0:00:15 > 0:00:19and the cameras are rolling. All we need now are the antiques.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21ALL: Welcome to "Flog It!".
0:00:42 > 0:00:46We're in Aberdeenshire today in the grounds of beautiful Crathes Castle.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49With its romantic appearance, 16-century gargoyles
0:00:49 > 0:00:54and pepper-pot turrets, it could have been plucked straight out of a fairy story.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58And I can assure you everybody here in this queue, including the dogs,
0:00:58 > 0:01:01is looking forward to a fairytale ending.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05This is where their journey starts today, the valuation day,
0:01:05 > 0:01:07and they're all hoping they'll get picked
0:01:07 > 0:01:11to go through to the auction, where we make them a small fortune
0:01:11 > 0:01:13and hopefully their dreams come true.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Already working their magic are our lead experts,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Anita Manning, who's on home turf...
0:01:19 > 0:01:23Oh, it's so exciting when you pull these things out, all the treasures!
0:01:23 > 0:01:25- Is that a tenner?- I wish.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27THEY LAUGH
0:01:27 > 0:01:30This is quite a nice thing, and it'll sell well just now.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32..and the cheeky Adam Partridge.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35- What have we got with us today? - Probably all rubbish.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37OK. Next, please.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Both experienced valuers and auctioneers,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43they'll certainly leave no stone unturned,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46and when it comes to making bold predictions,
0:01:46 > 0:01:48these two are no shrinking violets.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51It's good. I'm very glad to hear that, son.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53THEY LAUGH
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Anita doesn't mince her words.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00I'm going to come straight to the point here.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02You could double your money on this.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Adam takes a risk.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08You've got a whole six setting, and it's all complete?
0:02:08 > 0:02:11As far as I can see. Maybe you as an expert can see it, but I can't.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15And not wanting to be left out, I cannot contain myself.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18This is the surprise we could all be waiting for.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Whatever you do, keep watching. This is going to get exciting.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26So, with all that to come, it's time we got valuing,
0:02:26 > 0:02:30and Anita's already found her first item.
0:02:30 > 0:02:31Let's take a closer look.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Murray, Irene, welcome to "Flog It!",
0:02:33 > 0:02:36and you've brought along this beautiful pot!
0:02:36 > 0:02:38Murray, tell me where it came from.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41It came from my mother.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43She gave it to us about 20 years ago.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Mother was born about 20 miles from here.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51She worked as a domestic servant in the big houses in Aboyne,
0:02:51 > 0:02:55so we're assuming it was either given to her as a gift
0:02:55 > 0:02:59or perhaps a wedding present. We're not just quite sure.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04So, tell me, Irene, do you have this on display at home?
0:03:04 > 0:03:07We have had it on display at home,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10not all the time, because there's children...
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Well, there was younger children, then grandchildren came along,
0:03:13 > 0:03:15so sometimes it's had to be packed away.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- I think it's a lovely piece. - It is, and it's from Worcester,
0:03:18 > 0:03:23the best of the factories. In fact it dates from about 1820.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27If we look at the base, we see the marks for Flight and Barr,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29Royal Worcester.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33Now, these were the precursors of the Worcester that we know,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36and they started making Worcester in 1840,
0:03:36 > 0:03:40so this was before that, so it's a good old age.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44- That's earlier than we thought. - Nearly 200 years old.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46If we look at the piece in itself,
0:03:46 > 0:03:50we see this hand-painted scene here.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- It's a Highland landscape.- Yes.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Now, it's not signed, but it's beautifully done,
0:03:56 > 0:04:01and if we turn round, we have a painting of an exotic bird,
0:04:01 > 0:04:05and that's quite beautiful, and it's very beautifully done.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07What I like most, I suppose,
0:04:07 > 0:04:12are these enchanting, understated butterflies
0:04:12 > 0:04:16on the lid, and I think that they are absolutely exquisite.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20The piece together is quite beautiful.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24- Why do you want to sell it? - It's just, how do we keep it now?
0:04:24 > 0:04:29Rooms are smaller, not the same places to display it any more.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Yes. I think that, in auction,
0:04:32 > 0:04:36we should be thinking in the region of £300.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40It is an early piece. Would you be happy to pass it on at that price?
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Yes. Yes. Yes.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47- You're sounding a wee bit not very sure, Murray.- No. Er...
0:04:47 > 0:04:49I think we'd like to put a reserve on it.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- Oh, of course we would put a reserve to protect it.- Yes.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57Er, we would put it in with an estimate of three to five.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- Right.- 300 to 500,
0:04:59 > 0:05:04and a reserve of 300 or just below 300.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06- How do you feel about that? - Yes, we would go for that.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10You would go for it. Shall we put the reserve at 280?
0:05:10 > 0:05:13- Yes.- Are you happy at that? Are YOU happy at that?
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- Yes. No, I'm fine.- Right.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Well, it really does have everything going for it.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21Thank you so much for bringing it in,
0:05:21 > 0:05:25- and I'll see you at the auction. - Thank you.- It's a great pleasure.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28What a lovely piece to start with!
0:05:28 > 0:05:31And like Anita says, it has everything going for it.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Hopefully it'll fire up the saleroom.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Time to rock over to Adam's table now, and he's chatting to Ann.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41Thank you so much. You've brought along a delightful rocking cradle.
0:05:41 > 0:05:46Can you tell me how you came to own it, and what do you know about it?
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Well, it was about 30 years ago, and we came to Aberdeen,
0:05:49 > 0:05:54and we'd just bought an old fisherman's cottage on the coast.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56- Oh, lovely! - And I was looking out for furniture
0:05:56 > 0:06:00that would go with it, and I saw this cot,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- and it fell in love with it. - I can see why.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06It's a very charming object. So you've bought it at auction?
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- Yes.- Which auction?
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- The one where it's going back. - Milne's, is it?- Milne's.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- So it's going home, in a way, 30 years later.- Yes.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19- Did you use it ever, for a baby? - I didn't use it for a baby, no,
0:06:19 > 0:06:23- but I used it to house my plants. - Well, it's a good use for it.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27A lot of people might rock their plants to sleep in that.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31And I think it might also appeal to teddy-bear and doll collectors.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34You can imagine that in a doll shop, in the window.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37What else do you know about it? Made from oak, of course.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41It's solid oak, and they told me it had come from Norway.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- I was surprised to hear that. - I was very surprised,
0:06:45 > 0:06:47but I had a friend who was an antique dealer,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50and she put an offer in for it for me,
0:06:50 > 0:06:53because she knew somebody else was interested,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56so they decided to exchange articles.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00Right. I think it's early 20th century, sort of 1900s...
0:07:00 > 0:07:02- Yeah.- ..or soon after that.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05I wasn't sure about the Norwegian part of it.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- It looked English to me. - Could be.- We'll see what happens.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- Do you have it on display? - Unfortunately, no.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14It has been down my stairs, housing the hoover.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18Housing the hoover! That's quite a posh hoover container.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21So, I can see why you want it to go to auction,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24and you heard we were here, and I'm delighted you've come along.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28Do you remember what it cost you 30 years ago?
0:07:28 > 0:07:33I think I paid about £200, which was a lot of money in those days.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- A lot of money, yes. - But I wanted it.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Sometimes when you want something you have to pay a bit extra for it.
0:07:39 > 0:07:44I'm a bit concerned that it won't quite make that nowadays.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47I'm not really interested. All I would like
0:07:47 > 0:07:51is whoever has it likes it and wants it.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54There's too much emphasis placed on the value sometimes.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58- Well, I think so.- I would suggest putting an estimate lower than that.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- I would suggest £100 to £200. - I think that's very reasonable.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- And shall we put a reserve on it? - Of, say, 100?
0:08:05 > 0:08:10100, and if it doesn't make 100, we'll have to get it back to you!
0:08:10 > 0:08:12- Right.- But I'm hoping it will,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- and a little bit more too. - That would be lovely.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- We'll do our best, and thank you for coming along today.- Thank you.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21I agree - it's a great find,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25and deserves to be more than a hoover holder!
0:08:25 > 0:08:29We've got a great crowd, but not everyone here today
0:08:29 > 0:08:31is a stranger to the castle.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36In fact, Crathes has been attracting people far and wide for years.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Well, Ursula, we've left the great crowd of people on the main lawn
0:08:40 > 0:08:43because you wanted to show me this space,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46because you know this area really well. How long have you worked here?
0:08:46 > 0:08:50For 20 years, and I retired five years ago.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52And were you doing tours and guides, things like that?
0:08:52 > 0:08:58I was guiding, and I was doing my bit for Scotland
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- by guiding German tourists. - Oh, lovely!
0:09:01 > 0:09:05And I know you've brought to show me, because you watch "Flog It!",
0:09:05 > 0:09:10and you're fascinated at some of the early postcard albums
0:09:10 > 0:09:12that have been collected by families,
0:09:12 > 0:09:16and all of these are the same as what we seen on the show,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18but they're of German towns, been collected
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- throughout the First World War.- Yes.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24I would imagine there's a market for these in Germany,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26just as there is for the English postcards.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- I think so. - And what you're looking at here
0:09:29 > 0:09:33is an album that possibly could be worth £400 to £500.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36- Well, I wouldn't want to sell it. - No, I don't think so.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39I feel I'm the keeper of these books,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42and it's like selling your granny, isn't it?
0:09:42 > 0:09:44Of course it is, and you can't do that.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48But this one is very particular to your family, isn't it?
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Let's just look at some of the photographs. They're family photos.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54There's a photograph at the back, isn't there, of you.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- Let's have a look at you.- Here I am.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- People change with age! - You still look beautiful.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03You know that. You do! You really do.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- This ageing business is no good. - No, I know it's not.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09THEY LAUGH
0:10:09 > 0:10:13You've got a fabulous collection. If you ever wanted to sell this one,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- £300 to £500 any day of the week. - Really?
0:10:16 > 0:10:19But this you should never sell. It's only got a value to your family,
0:10:19 > 0:10:22and it's absolutely priceless, so cherish it.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25It's very difficult to decide who should inherit it.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29A lot of youngsters in the family, but who is worthy?
0:10:29 > 0:10:31- Hmm! Well, only you can decide that. - Yeah.
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- Thank you for talking to me today. - My pleasure.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Wasn't Ursula wonderful?
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Let's get back to the main valuation action.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Anita found a real treasure in the queue earlier.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Let's take a closer look.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48Sheila, welcome to "Flog It!", and thank you so much
0:10:48 > 0:10:51for bringing this wonderful bracelet along to us today.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53Tell me, where did you get it?
0:10:53 > 0:10:55It was a Christmas gift from my husband
0:10:55 > 0:11:00about 20 years ago. Unfortunately I haven't ever worn it.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- Never worn it?- No, never worn it.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07He bought it from the auctioneers that you're doing the sale from.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- But it's just a bit bulky for me. - That's right. It is chunky,
0:11:11 > 0:11:14and I think something chunky like that needs a big woman.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Well, that's how I feel, yes.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Women like us need something more delicate.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- Correct. - You've never worn it?- No, never.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- Do you know how much he paid for it? - Well, I asked him that question,
0:11:25 > 0:11:29and he said that he felt that it was either £50,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32but definitely no more than 100.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35He said he couldn't have afforded more than 100 at the time.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40Well, he's made a very, very good investment.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Let's have a look at the actual item now.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46The main part of the bracelet has this lovely fancy link,
0:11:46 > 0:11:50but it is a hollow link, and if we look here,
0:11:50 > 0:11:54we can see where it's been a little bit bashed
0:11:54 > 0:11:57and a little bit damaged, obviously not done by you,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59who has never worn this precious jewel!
0:11:59 > 0:12:03I'm 99.9% that it is gold,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06and it may be a higher carat than nine carat,
0:12:06 > 0:12:10but we wouldn't test it. The auctioneer won't test it,
0:12:10 > 0:12:14but the buyers will have to make up their own mind.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- Aha.- Best thing about this are these four gold coins,
0:12:17 > 0:12:21and if we look at this one, we have two sovereigns,
0:12:21 > 0:12:23and this one is for 1889,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27and we see the head of Queen Victoria.
0:12:27 > 0:12:32And if we look at the back, we see the typical back of a sovereign,
0:12:32 > 0:12:35which shows St George slaying the dragon.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40Our other sovereign here is slightly earlier.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43It's 1881,
0:12:43 > 0:12:46and we see a slightly younger queen here.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Now, the other two coins are Austrian,
0:12:50 > 0:12:52and these are Austrian LODs,
0:12:52 > 0:12:56and they are of high-carat gold as well.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01So all in all, a very desirable item in today's market.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04We'll sell it as one item,
0:13:04 > 0:13:08but what could happen is that, after it's been bought,
0:13:08 > 0:13:13the coins can be separated and the bracelet just worn as a bracelet,
0:13:13 > 0:13:16so we have many good elements here.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20I would put it into auction with a conservative estimate
0:13:20 > 0:13:23of £800 to £1,200.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27Would you be happy to put it into auction at that price?
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Yes. I would like to put a reserve on it, though.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33We certainly could do that. That would protect it.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36What reserve would you like to put on it?
0:13:36 > 0:13:40I'd like to put a reserve of 1,000, but I don't know if that's...
0:13:40 > 0:13:42If you could bring it down a little bit,
0:13:42 > 0:13:46say 900, I think we've got a good chance at that,
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- and put it in at 900 to 1,200. - Yeah. That sounds good.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Well, I look forward to the auction,
0:13:52 > 0:13:57- because gold is fiercely competed for in today's market.- Excellent.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01So, we've found our first three items,
0:14:01 > 0:14:05and two of them are going back to the same saleroom they were purchased in!
0:14:05 > 0:14:07Before we head off to auction, it's the Monart glass bowl
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Adam just discovered in the queue.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Welcome to "Flog It!".
0:14:11 > 0:14:14It's a beautiful sunny day here. How are you doing?
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- BOTH: Fine, thank you.- Thanks for coming along.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21- I'm Adam. What's your name?- Janice. - Janice and...?- Lynn.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23- And your relationship?- We're sisters.- Sisters? Excellent.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Thank you for bringing along this lovely bowl,
0:14:26 > 0:14:28which is glistening in the sun today.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31Can you tell us anything about it? Where it came from?
0:14:31 > 0:14:34What you know about it? Who's going to start?
0:14:34 > 0:14:36It belonged to our parents.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- They received it as a wedding present.- When were they married?
0:14:39 > 0:14:40- 1951.- 1951?
0:14:40 > 0:14:42- Gosh, 60 years ago now.- Yes.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- And do you remember this from childhood?- Definitely.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Yes. It used to sit on the table in the window.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51With the fruit in it.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53- Who does it belong to now?- Jointly!
0:14:53 > 0:14:57Jointly? So it's not something you can really cut in half
0:14:57 > 0:14:59or have a month for you, a month for you?
0:14:59 > 0:15:03OK. So you've decided to put it on the market, have you?
0:15:03 > 0:15:07- Yes.- Then split the money afterwards, I suppose.- Yeah.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09OK. Do you like it?
0:15:09 > 0:15:10I do, yeah.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13It certainly looks its best today.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15It's a lovely sunny day here in Aberdeen.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19A lot of people will recognise this as a Monart bowl, so, again,
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Scottish glassware. Founded by a Spanish chap called Ysart,
0:15:23 > 0:15:26and they called it the Moncrieff Glassworks,
0:15:26 > 0:15:30and the combination of Moncrieff and Ysart made the word "Monart".
0:15:30 > 0:15:33And it's that lovely pale-blue colour that's so often
0:15:33 > 0:15:35associated with the Queen Mother.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37It's got these little gold flecks in it.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40So you've got the traditional Scottish shapes with
0:15:40 > 0:15:43a bit of Spanish flair that's added to it.
0:15:43 > 0:15:44Any idea what it might be worth?
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Not really, no.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49We see quite a bit of Monart through the salerooms.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53It's a good place to sell it. It's a regional collector's item.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Perthshire was the factory, which isn't miles away, really.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58They had relatives in Perth.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01I wonder if any of them worked in the factory.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- I don't know.- I don't think so.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08Sometimes they've still got the paper label on the bottom.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- We noticed it was missing. - That's probably...
0:16:11 > 0:16:13- It had been regularly washed. - Exactly.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Not a slovenly household!
0:16:15 > 0:16:18People don't think of it at the time.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21How often do you buy something now and think, "I'll keep that label on it."
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- First thing to come off is the label.- Bought to be used.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26Exactly. Bought to be used.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30But clearly treasured, because it's in lovely condition.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31So, down to the value,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34it's not a hugely valuable example of Monart.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38It's a relatively standard model, if you will.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Lovely thing, but value-wise, about 50 to 80 estimate.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Mm-hm.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45- Disappointed?- Not really.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- No.- Hopefully it'll make towards 100.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50I doubt it'll make much more.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53You never know, you might be lucky. We should put a reserve on it,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56just in case no-one turns up, which would be horrible.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59- We wouldn't want it going for 20 quid, would we?- No.- No.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Definitely not. I love the way you answer simultaneously as well.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- We're thinking the same. - Yes, synchronised sisters.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07I think we put a reserve of 50,
0:17:07 > 0:17:09estimate of 50 to 80,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12we'll stand at the auction, fingers crossed it makes three figures,
0:17:12 > 0:17:14so you'll end up with a decent amount each
0:17:14 > 0:17:16and you can do with it what you wish.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18I shan't ask what you're going to do with the money
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- because it's not a huge amount.- No.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24But it's been really nice to see something of regional significance.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Now, we've all heard of the Arts and Crafts movement,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37which flourished in the latter part of the 19th century
0:17:37 > 0:17:39and early part of the 20th century,
0:17:39 > 0:17:43and some of you will be familiar with the great names of the time -
0:17:43 > 0:17:45William Morris, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, CR Ashbee,
0:17:45 > 0:17:49Archibald Knox - but there were other lesser-known artists
0:17:49 > 0:17:52that were producing the most stunning work.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54One of them is James Cromar Watt,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57and here, right in the heart of Aberdeen,
0:17:57 > 0:17:58in their art gallery,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01it contains the largest single collection of his work.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03It's well worth a look, so come with me.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07Born in Aberdeen in 1862, James Cromar Watt
0:18:07 > 0:18:09trained as an architect.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13His earliest drawings were studies of Scottish religious buildings,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16like King's College Chapel at Aberdeen University.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19He achieved great acclaims and won awards
0:18:19 > 0:18:22from both the Royal Institute of British Architects
0:18:22 > 0:18:25and the Architectural School of the Royal Academy,
0:18:25 > 0:18:28so this enabled him to take study trips around Europe,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Egypt and the Far East.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32His sketchbooks from those trips
0:18:32 > 0:18:35begin to illustrate a change in direction for Watt,
0:18:35 > 0:18:39from architectural work to a deepening love of decorative detail.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42And from decorative detail and motifs,
0:18:42 > 0:18:45he became increasingly fascinated with crafts,
0:18:45 > 0:18:49of which he would have seen a great deal of whilst on his travels.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53He was largely self taught and tried to master several different genres.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Two techniques, though, especially fascinated him.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58The first was gold granulation.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03This is a very delicate procedure of fusing minute, miniscule
0:19:03 > 0:19:07little gold granules together on a surface, to create a texture.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10I've been allowed to come behind the scenes in the art gallery here
0:19:10 > 0:19:13to show you some of his test pieces,
0:19:13 > 0:19:15which were done, originally, on card.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18I've got my white gloves on to point things out.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20It all starts, really, right here.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23The whole thing required a deftness of touch
0:19:23 > 0:19:24and a sureness as well.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Somebody with a lot of confidence.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Watts used dental equipment and, in particular,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31a small gas blowpipe.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34You can see his architectural background breaking through here,
0:19:34 > 0:19:38with this wonderful sense of symmetry and proportion.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42The pendant itself shows how he really mastered the technique,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45and it also shows the second technique he mastered - enamelling.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47If you look at the central circle there,
0:19:47 > 0:19:50there's a combination of the two things -
0:19:50 > 0:19:52you've got wonderful little enamelled motifs there,
0:19:52 > 0:19:55bordered and decorated with gold granulation
0:19:55 > 0:19:57in the form of stylised leaf work.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00From the tiny samples here, he went on to produce
0:20:00 > 0:20:04the finished item, and the museum have kindly got some out the store
0:20:04 > 0:20:07for me to show you. Just take a look at this.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Look at that!
0:20:10 > 0:20:11Wonderful piece of enamelling.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15The process of enamelling involves taking some powdered glass
0:20:15 > 0:20:19the colour of your choice, and fusing it at high temperature
0:20:19 > 0:20:22onto metal, but in this case it as fused onto foil,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26which creates this wonderful sort of crumpled texture.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28This is the technique he used most
0:20:28 > 0:20:30and he had great success with it.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Absolutely beautiful.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Watt used the technique to its full advantage
0:20:35 > 0:20:37in many of his necklaces and pendants,
0:20:37 > 0:20:40achieving a variety of shades from the palest white
0:20:40 > 0:20:44through to deep ruby-reds to brilliant, vibrant sapphires.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47He became a real master of his craft.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49But I'm keen to find out more about the man,
0:20:49 > 0:20:51and to see what other works he produced.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Kate Gillespie, the curator of decorative art here,
0:20:54 > 0:20:56has agreed to talk to me.
0:20:56 > 0:21:01- Hello, Kate.- Hi, Paul.- Thank you for letting me go behind the scenes.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03You're welcome.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08He's clearly a talented artist. Why wasn't he as well known as some of his contemporaries?
0:21:08 > 0:21:13We believe he actually enjoyed working by himself.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17He was well acquainted with some other Arts and Crafts artists,
0:21:17 > 0:21:23but he enjoyed finding a unique type of art that he pursued.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27What about the direction from, let's say, from architect to artist?
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Really, the change in direction comes from his trips abroad.
0:21:31 > 0:21:37Rather than looking at the buildings as a whole, he looked at details - cornicing and foliage
0:21:37 > 0:21:43on columns, et cetera. And you see more and more preoccupation with this detail.
0:21:43 > 0:21:48- I think that's where he gets this interest in the decorative.- OK.
0:21:48 > 0:21:55I've just seen some lovely jewellery and I was aware of his plaques. Talk me through some of these.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00Well, this first piece is actually his earliest piece that we have, from 1898.
0:22:00 > 0:22:06It actually depicts his mother. It may have been part of a pair with a plaque of his father,
0:22:06 > 0:22:11but we don't have that. Next, we have a mythological piece.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16We don't know who the sitter is, but he was very interested in Renaissance sources.
0:22:16 > 0:22:22- This is a new acquisition from the States.- A private collection?- Yes.
0:22:22 > 0:22:27We do know it was exhibited in the Aberdeen Art Gallery about 1900,
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- so it's come home, which is nice. - That's been away for a few years.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36- He obviously framed them himself. - That's right.- And the last one?
0:22:36 > 0:22:40It's the latest piece, we think from about 1902.
0:22:40 > 0:22:46This is his most technically accomplished piece. He's really refined his technique.
0:22:46 > 0:22:52It's a portrait of a young girl, which may have been one of the grandchildren of his friend.
0:22:52 > 0:22:58- A lot of history there.- Absolutely. - It's nice that it's come back here. Why is it here in the first place?
0:22:58 > 0:23:05When Watt died in an accident in 1940, prior to that he'd arranged for a lot of his private collection
0:23:05 > 0:23:10to be bequeathed to Aberdeen Art Gallery. So that came to us.
0:23:10 > 0:23:16Since then, curators have made a real attempt to buy items by him when they come up.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Is this the same technique as I've just seen? It doesn't look like it.
0:23:20 > 0:23:28Parts of it are the same, but here in the face is a technique called grisaille,
0:23:28 > 0:23:32where the enamel is finely layered with a graduation in tone,
0:23:32 > 0:23:37so you get this light and dark. Greys and whites are used to build up this depth.
0:23:37 > 0:23:44- The result is a really photographic depiction.- Yes, there's a lot of chromatic hue.- Absolutely.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48- But you've almost got that sort of... It's like a negative.- It is.
0:23:48 > 0:23:53It's very nice. Was he at the peak of his career when he died?
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Erm, no. He actually undertook some secret service in the war
0:23:57 > 0:24:01and when he returned from war he stopped working altogether.
0:24:01 > 0:24:08We don't know if his eyesight had deteriorated or if he just decided he didn't want to continue making,
0:24:08 > 0:24:13but from that period he stopped. We know that he didn't marry, he didn't have any children,
0:24:13 > 0:24:18but he had a close circle of friends and he enjoyed hosting parties.
0:24:18 > 0:24:24- They remember him fondly.- This is a great part of Aberdeen's heritage that we've got here.- Absolutely.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28He's really an unsung hero. There's not a lot known about him,
0:24:28 > 0:24:32- but his work is exquisite.- It's opened my eyes. Thank you very much.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34You're very welcome.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47Before we head off to auction, here's a quick recap of what we're taking with us and why.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Anita started with something grand -
0:24:50 > 0:24:53an early-19th-century Worcester pot,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57but will the estimate of £300 to £500 be a little lofty?
0:24:57 > 0:25:02Ann would like to get back the £200 she paid for the cradle
0:25:02 > 0:25:0630 years ago, but ultimately would like to see it go to a good home.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09And always one to spot a bit of bling,
0:25:09 > 0:25:15Anita put £900 to £1,200 estimate on Sheila's gold bracelet.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Estimated at £50 to £80,
0:25:17 > 0:25:21Adam thought the Monart glass bowl was smashing
0:25:21 > 0:25:24and a great item to find because of its regional significance.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31And this is where we're selling all our items today -
0:25:31 > 0:25:34John Milne Auctioneers in the heart of Aberdeen,
0:25:34 > 0:25:38and as the sale day arrives, my sense of anticipation gets higher.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Anything could happen. It's an auction.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Our auctioneer today is Graham Lumsden,
0:25:44 > 0:25:46and with a packed saleroom like this,
0:25:46 > 0:25:49he'll have to keep his eye on the ball when the bidding starts.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54So let's crack on with our first lot - that fabulous Worcester pot.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57Irene and Murray, thank you for coming in today.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00We're just about to sell the ornamental tableware,
0:26:00 > 0:26:03and you're selling this because you can't find the right place for it.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06- Nice piece of Worcester! - It's absolutely beautiful.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09It's early, it's exquisite, hand-painted.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12- It's got everything going for it. - Yeah.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14And hopefully the price as well.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17- We should be getting around £300 to £400.- Hopefully.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Fingers crossed, on a good day.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- It's not going to be a sad goodbye, is it?- No, no.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25Where's it been lately? Come on. Be honest.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28Just in a box at the moment.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31Best thing to do, then, isn't it? Put it under the hammer and sell it.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35Let's find out what the bidders think. Here we go.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38It's ornamental tableware. It's Flight, Barr and Barr.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43Worcester two-handled gilt table centre with cover.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47And for this one, £400. Table centre and cover for £400.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50- Come on.- 350.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53£300.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56I can start at the door, 180. 190.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01- 200. 210. 220. 240. 260.- Here we go.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03- It's got going.- 275.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05- 275.- Come on!
0:27:05 > 0:27:08At 280.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11It's now at the door at £280.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Any advance on £280? The bid is at the door. £280.
0:27:14 > 0:27:19It's going to be sold. All finished at £280?
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Hammer's gone down.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25- Spot on there! - And a few nervous moments there!
0:27:25 > 0:27:28- THEY LAUGH - £280. OK? Happy with that?
0:27:28 > 0:27:30- Yes, yes.- Yes!
0:27:30 > 0:27:35- Just spot on the fixed price. - Yeah. Right on that reserve there.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39One down, two more to go. It's Ann's oak cradle next.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43Why are you selling this now, Ann?
0:27:43 > 0:27:47Because it's been in my underground for a long time,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50and I think somebody would enjoy it,
0:27:50 > 0:27:54and it needs a lovely old house or a...
0:27:54 > 0:27:58- Or a shop, in a shop-front. - For dolls, as well.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Exactly. Stick teddy bears in there, or dried flowers. Anything, really.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05In fact, if I was allowed to buy it, I would have snapped that one up.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09Anyway, good luck. It's going under the hammer now.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11Let's see if we can rock the saleroom.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13This Norwegian oak cradle.
0:28:13 > 0:28:18And for the cradle, open the bidding with me at 100.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20110. 120. 130. 140.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23150. 160.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26At 160. 160 for the cradle.
0:28:26 > 0:28:31Any advance now? £160, the cradle. The bid's to my right now at 160.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34It's going to be sold for £160. All finished now at 160?
0:28:34 > 0:28:37- Yes! £160!- 160!
0:28:37 > 0:28:40Straight in and straight out, really.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43- You've got to be pleased with that. - I am pleased.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46- Pretty much what we thought. - Spot-on. Mid-estimate.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49- I've got a lot more furniture, too. - See you next time we're up here.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51Absolutely! THEY LAUGH
0:28:51 > 0:28:56That's a good result for Ann. I'm really pleased.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59Next up are sisters Janice and Lynn with their Monart bowl.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02- You've been left this Monart vase. - Yes.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05- Now it can be divided up and split up.- Yes.
0:29:05 > 0:29:10There are plenty of collectors of Monart around and I'm sure there'll be a few here today,
0:29:10 > 0:29:16- so I'm quite confident for a market value, hopefully a bit more.- Yeah, fingers crossed.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18Let's find out what it's worth.
0:29:19 > 0:29:24Monart glass bowl. Blue, decorative Monart glass bowl.
0:29:24 > 0:29:29£80? Monart glass bowl for 80? 60?
0:29:29 > 0:29:31I'm bid 40.
0:29:31 > 0:29:36Any advance now on £40, the Monart glass bowl at £40?
0:29:36 > 0:29:38I've got one... 42. 45. 48. 50.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40The lady's further back at £50.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43Any advance now on £50?
0:29:43 > 0:29:47It's going to be sold for £50. All finished now at 50?
0:29:47 > 0:29:50- Yes.- Oh!- Late legs. Just. - Do you want to go to 55?
0:29:50 > 0:29:5355. 58.
0:29:53 > 0:29:5660. At 60 back on my right.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00Any advance now on £60? The bid's back on my right at 60.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03Gosh, that was hard, wasn't it? That was hard work.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07Thank goodness for Graham! He worked them. We got £60.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11- Are you happy with that?- Yeah. - Well done.- Thanks for bringing it.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15- That's lunch out, really, isn't it? I think, really.- Yeah.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18Adam was bang-on.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22Sheila's next, with her weighty gold bracelet and four sovereign coins.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25Let's hope we get the top end of this estimate,
0:30:25 > 0:30:27as it's being sold as an item and not for melt value.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30I know you got this - how long ago, as a present?
0:30:30 > 0:30:33- 20 years ago.- 20 years ago, and it cost around 100?
0:30:33 > 0:30:35£100, he reckons, yeah.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39- It's a good investment, isn't it? - Yeah. Hopefully, yeah.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41Hopefully we'll get £1,000 for this.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Who knows? Until the hammer falls,
0:30:44 > 0:30:46we don't know how much exactly.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50- But it certainly deserves the lower estimate.- Yeah.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55For the gold bracelet with coins, this one, £1,000.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58£900. Gold bracelet with coins for 900.
0:30:58 > 0:31:03- 800. I can open the bidding with me for £800.- A good start.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05- That's solid.- With me at £800.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07At £800. 820. 840.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10860. At 860 with me.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14- It's going to be sold for 860. - This one down there, look.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18At 880. I am going to sell for 880.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22It is in the seat at 800. I am going to sell at £880.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26All finished now at £880? It's in the seat at 880.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30- HE BANGS HAMMER - That's OK, isn't it? It's OK.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32He's used a little bit of discretion,
0:31:32 > 0:31:36but I think £20 discretion on that amount is fine.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38Good old Graham! He got it away, and that's the main thing.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41- Close. - THEY LAUGH
0:31:41 > 0:31:45So far, so good! All three lots sold, and everyone goes home happy.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48But before we head back to the historic grandeur of Crathes
0:31:48 > 0:31:51and the valuation day, I took a look at an industry
0:31:51 > 0:31:54that had an important influence on Aberdeen's historic past.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56Take a look at this.
0:32:09 > 0:32:14As an island nation, the United Kingdom has such a rich and wonderful maritime history.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17Of course, that covers a whole host of subjects,
0:32:17 > 0:32:22from fishing to exploration, navigation, the Navy and trade.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26But all of these things have one thing in common, and that's ships.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29And to build one, you've got to be in the right place,
0:32:29 > 0:32:32you've got to have the right skills, the equipment,
0:32:32 > 0:32:35and the experienced workforce. Now, here in Aberdeen,
0:32:35 > 0:32:38in this harbour, shipbuilding has been a traditional industry
0:32:38 > 0:32:41for the last 400 years, and during that time,
0:32:41 > 0:32:46they've built some of the most important ships in our history.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Of course, there were a number of places in the UK
0:32:49 > 0:32:53that had shipyards. But, for its size, Aberdeen stood out.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59And why is that? Well, there were a number of reasons,
0:32:59 > 0:33:02but, like most places that have a maritime heritage,
0:33:02 > 0:33:04the city's fortunes are directly linked,
0:33:04 > 0:33:07and of course, over the last 800 years
0:33:07 > 0:33:09this harbour has played a key role
0:33:09 > 0:33:12in not just the development and prosperity of Aberdeen
0:33:12 > 0:33:15but the whole northeast of Scotland.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18But the real success of the shipbuilding in the area
0:33:18 > 0:33:21is really down to the skills and the entrepreneurial vision
0:33:21 > 0:33:24of the Aberdonian shipwrights.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29There were several well known shipbuilding companies in Aberdeen,
0:33:29 > 0:33:32and collectively they built a wide range of vessels,
0:33:32 > 0:33:36including clipper ships, coasters, drifters,
0:33:36 > 0:33:39steamships and fishing vessels.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43For 200 years, between the 18th and 20th century,
0:33:43 > 0:33:46they built several thousand, but arguably,
0:33:46 > 0:33:51Aberdeen's inventive shipbuilding heyday was the 19th century.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55In the 1830s, a shipyard called Alexander Hall & Company
0:33:55 > 0:33:59pioneered the revolutionary Aberdeen Bow, and here it is.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02You see, speed was of the essence on the trade routes,
0:34:02 > 0:34:05especially if you were competing against steamships,
0:34:05 > 0:34:09and the Aberdeen Bow had a sleeker, more efficient bow
0:34:09 > 0:34:11than any of its contemporaries. It made it faster,
0:34:11 > 0:34:14and it improved sailing performances.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18And this is one of the original shipwright's working models,
0:34:18 > 0:34:21which is absolutely incredible. It's a wonderful survivor.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25The shipyard's also credited for testing models in a tank of water
0:34:25 > 0:34:29for the very first time, so they could keep improving on the design,
0:34:29 > 0:34:31honing its efficiency.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35The first vessel with the new bow was the schooner Scottish Maid,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38built by the Hall shipyard in 1839.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42The ship proved successful. It was swift and reliable,
0:34:42 > 0:34:45and inevitably led to many shipbuilders around the globe
0:34:45 > 0:34:49adopting the design, better known nowadays as the clipper ship.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Picking up your cargo and delivering it as quickly as possible
0:34:56 > 0:34:59was essential, not only because it was more efficient,
0:34:59 > 0:35:03it saved time and money, but also the commodities you were importing,
0:35:03 > 0:35:07things like tea, were a lot fresher, so when they reached the open market
0:35:07 > 0:35:09they would command a higher price.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Now, we are a nation of tea-lovers, so you can imagine,
0:35:12 > 0:35:15when the Americans started to do the journey from China to London
0:35:15 > 0:35:19in a third of the time, in their own faster, slender ships,
0:35:19 > 0:35:22the British merchants were horrified,
0:35:22 > 0:35:25so enter the age of the tea clipper. And it was here in Aberdeen
0:35:25 > 0:35:29that the first-ever true tea clipper was built, in 1850 -
0:35:29 > 0:35:33one of the most famous vessels to be built here, the Thermopylae.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36Her maiden voyage sailed to Melbourne in just 60 days,
0:35:36 > 0:35:40via Shanghai and Fuzhou, breaking records along the journey.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44And a Melbourne newspaper reported on 13th of January 1869,
0:35:44 > 0:35:48"It seemed almost impossible... that a voyage to the antipodes
0:35:48 > 0:35:51"could be accomplished by a sailing ship in 59 days."
0:35:51 > 0:35:54"She is in every respect a fine specimen of naval architecture,
0:35:54 > 0:35:57a model of symmetry and beauty.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00"Her sweeping lines and exquisite proportions,
0:36:00 > 0:36:02"her graceful outline and general compactness,
0:36:02 > 0:36:05"convey an idea of perfection."
0:36:08 > 0:36:11The Thermopylae was such a huge success,
0:36:11 > 0:36:15so much so that a year later, the most famous tea clipper in the world
0:36:15 > 0:36:19was constructed to compete and race against her -
0:36:19 > 0:36:22the Cutty Sark. However, the Thermopylae remained unbeaten,
0:36:22 > 0:36:25and still the fastest tea clipper ever.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28But it's not just merchant ships that were built here in Aberdeen.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31There's one very famous one I must show you -
0:36:31 > 0:36:34well, famous if you're Japanese, that is.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36Thomas Glover, or the Scottish Samurai,
0:36:36 > 0:36:39was an Aberdeen man who was ambitious.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44He's not that well known in this country,
0:36:44 > 0:36:46but in Japan he is very famous,
0:36:46 > 0:36:48and to give you an indication of how popular he is,
0:36:48 > 0:36:51his former home in Nagasaki is now open as a museum,
0:36:51 > 0:36:55and it attracts around two million visitors a year.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Thomas Glover was a merchant and a businessman.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01He was so successful he became friends with the Emperor,
0:37:01 > 0:37:03and was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Now, here's the interesting bit. He also built warships
0:37:06 > 0:37:09for the Japanese Navy, and this is a beautiful scale model
0:37:09 > 0:37:13of the first-ever warship, the Jho Sho Maru.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16It's absolutely beautiful.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20It was constructed in 1869, and for ten years it was the flagship
0:37:20 > 0:37:23of the Imperial Japanese Navy,
0:37:23 > 0:37:26built by Alexander Hall & Company,
0:37:26 > 0:37:30weighing in at an incredible 130 tons.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32All of the hull has been armour plated,
0:37:32 > 0:37:35and it's four and a half inches thick.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37It's constructed with a round stern and a ram bow,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40which would cut right through anything,
0:37:40 > 0:37:43also enhancing the vessel's speed at sea.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47Now, back in 1869, it cost £42,000 to build this ship.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51Today, that would work out at around £2 million,
0:37:51 > 0:37:53which is a lot of money...
0:37:54 > 0:37:56..but a lot of vessel.
0:37:58 > 0:38:03I've only scratched the surface of Aberdeen's shipbuilding heritage,
0:38:03 > 0:38:07highlighting just a couple of ships like the Jho Sho Maru and the Thermopylae,
0:38:07 > 0:38:10but all sorts of ships were built here in the 20th century,
0:38:10 > 0:38:14and during World War II, the harbour was an important naval base.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Aberdeen's rich shipbuilding history sadly ended in 1989,
0:38:19 > 0:38:23but the harbour continues to be at the core of the city's finances,
0:38:23 > 0:38:27and as you can see behind me today, there's a hive of activity going on.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31It's one of Britain's busiest ports, and one of Europe's most modern.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33According to the Guinness Book Of Records,
0:38:33 > 0:38:36this harbour is the oldest business in Britain.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39It's a true success story, and it's wonderful to see
0:38:39 > 0:38:42that it continues to adapt with the changing times.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50We've moored up back at the valuation day,
0:38:50 > 0:38:53and everybody's got the wind in their sails.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55But it's Adam who's spotted something first.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58It's very nice to see you. What's your name?
0:38:58 > 0:39:01- Virginie.- Virginie. That's not an Aberdeen name!
0:39:01 > 0:39:04- It's a French name. - That's right.- A very pretty name.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07- Are you French yourself? - No, I'm Dutch.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11- And what brought you to Aberdeen? - What do you think? Oil!
0:39:11 > 0:39:12What else?
0:39:12 > 0:39:17And you've brought along this very pretty little Shelley tea service.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19How long have you had this and when did you get it?
0:39:19 > 0:39:25About ten years ago I bought it in some sort of fair.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28- I can't even remember. - And what attracted you to it?
0:39:28 > 0:39:30The colours. The black and white colours.
0:39:30 > 0:39:35- It's a very pretty set, isn't it? - I even made an embroidery about it...
0:39:35 > 0:39:38- Oh, really?- ..because I like it.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41- So you do embroidery as well? - I do, I do. Still do, yeah.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45Excellent. Well, generally speaking, we don't get great prices
0:39:45 > 0:39:49for tea sets nowadays, because people don't use them so much.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- Do you still use a cup and saucer? - Well, not every day,
0:39:52 > 0:39:55- but I do it when I have guests. - Quite right, too.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58So, this is by the famous firm of Shelley,
0:39:58 > 0:40:02which means it's more desirable than most other tea services nowadays,
0:40:02 > 0:40:04and Shelley, very fine bone china.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08They have the highest percentage of bone in the makeup of their china
0:40:08 > 0:40:10- than all the others.- That's right.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13- So it's always got a really good... - Clink to it.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17..clink to it. Exactly. And the number on the bottom there...
0:40:17 > 0:40:19- What's that? 11343? - What was it again?
0:40:19 > 0:40:22- 11343, that's right. - Which is the Vincent shape,
0:40:22 > 0:40:27and this was introduced in July 1924, so it helps us date it exactly.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29OK. I didn't know that.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33Well, I'm glad I managed to tell you something, anyway.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36Why have you decided to bring it along today to sell?
0:40:36 > 0:40:40Well, because I have a very dear friend who recently died,
0:40:40 > 0:40:45and I thought it might be nice to do it for some sort of charity.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48- That's a lovely gesture. - If I get a good amount for it,
0:40:48 > 0:40:51- we can do it for the charity. - So you don't use this any more?
0:40:51 > 0:40:55I do use it for when I have guests, but I have got other things as well.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58Other tea sets. You've probably chosen the best one to sell.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02- Well, I think so, yeah.- We've got a representative selection here,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05but how much of this do you actually have?
0:41:05 > 0:41:09I've got five more cups and saucers, and five more of these, of course.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13So you've got a whole six setting, and it's all complete?
0:41:13 > 0:41:15- It's still complete. - No chips or cracks?
0:41:15 > 0:41:19As far as I can see. Maybe you as an expert can see it, but I can't.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22We'll value it on the basis that it's all there,
0:41:22 > 0:41:24in perfect condition.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28Do you remember what it cost when you purchased it ten years ago?
0:41:28 > 0:41:32- I think I paid £100 for it. - OK. We know why you're selling it.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36Valuation-wise, you don't want to get less than you paid for it.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39Well, that's true. Hopefully a little bit more.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42I suggest we put an estimate of £100 to £150 on it.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46- That's good. Oh, that's good. - And put a reserve of 100,
0:41:46 > 0:41:49so that it doesn't go for less,
0:41:49 > 0:41:52- and hopefully it'll make a little bit more.- OK.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Wow, excellent! We've covered everything.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57- Thank you very much. - It's a pleasure. Nice to meet you.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02It's such a great turn-out here today.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06Let's get back to the valuing, and Anita has spotted some more gold.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10Let's listen in as she tells Willie what it's worth.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12Willie, welcome to "Flog It!".
0:42:12 > 0:42:15It's lovely to be up in Aberdeenshire,
0:42:15 > 0:42:18and this is a big, cracking coin.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20Tell me, where did you get it?
0:42:20 > 0:42:22I bought it ten years ago in Newcastle.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26- So, are you a coin collector, Willie?- No.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28- What drew you to it? - It just caught my eye,
0:42:28 > 0:42:31and the date. I thought it was worth it at the time.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34- How much did you pay for it at that time?- 500.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37You paid 500. And that was retail price?
0:42:37 > 0:42:41- Yeah, ten years ago.- And you thought this might be a good investment?
0:42:41 > 0:42:44Do you know something, Willie? You were absolutely right.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46SHE LAUGHS
0:42:46 > 0:42:49This is a gold £5 piece.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52In 1887, it was worth £5 -
0:42:52 > 0:42:54in today's market, much, much more.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58If we look at the coin, we can see the date on it here,
0:42:58 > 0:43:02and we'll talk about the date, because the date is significant,
0:43:02 > 0:43:05but we see St George and the dragon on the back of the coin,
0:43:05 > 0:43:07and the date, 1887.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10Now, this was the year of Victoria's jubilee,
0:43:10 > 0:43:13and the coin collectors will be aware of that,
0:43:13 > 0:43:16and it will make it more desirable in the market.
0:43:16 > 0:43:20And on the front of the coin we have Victoria's head.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23We have many gold coins. We have half-sovereigns,
0:43:23 > 0:43:26sovereigns, and we have these £5 pieces.
0:43:26 > 0:43:31This type of coin is greatly sought-after by collectors.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33Condition is an important issue,
0:43:33 > 0:43:37and the condition of this one I would say is perfect.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40You tell me why you think this is a good time to sell.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44Well, the price of gold now, what I paid for it then,
0:43:44 > 0:43:47what I could possibly get for it now, it's perfect timing.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50And this is the right time to sell.
0:43:50 > 0:43:52I'm going to come straight to the point here.
0:43:52 > 0:43:55You paid 500.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58I would put an estimate on of 800 to 1,200.
0:43:58 > 0:44:00You could double your money on this,
0:44:00 > 0:44:04and that's in a period of ten years,
0:44:04 > 0:44:08- and I think that that is a pretty good investment.- Yeah.
0:44:08 > 0:44:11So, it was bought as an investment.
0:44:11 > 0:44:15- You've waited until the market has turned up.- Yeah.
0:44:15 > 0:44:19Would you be happy to put it into auction at 800 to 1,200?
0:44:19 > 0:44:21Yes.
0:44:21 > 0:44:23We'll put a firm reserve on it, Willie.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26We'll give the auctioneer no discretion on that.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28- 800?- We'll put £800 on it,
0:44:28 > 0:44:32and we will hope that in the next two weeks,
0:44:32 > 0:44:35that gold creeps up a little bit more.
0:44:35 > 0:44:39- Let's flog it.- Let's flog it, Willie.
0:44:39 > 0:44:42Absolutely, and it won't be long until we do.
0:44:42 > 0:44:46Adam has come up trumps first when he spotted Maureen with her two whist markers.
0:44:46 > 0:44:51- Are you a card player?- Not really. Just the odd game now and again.
0:44:51 > 0:44:57- Because these are antique scoring indicators for the game of whist. Ever played whist?- I have, yes.
0:44:57 > 0:45:05- I played a bit with my grandmother, but I've forgotten all about it. It's all aces and trumps.- Yes.
0:45:05 > 0:45:11These are circa 1900. I had a collection recently in my auction room.
0:45:11 > 0:45:18- You don't see them very often. - How did they work?- I'm not sure. They're for indicating scores.
0:45:18 > 0:45:23I don't understand the game enough to be able to explain,
0:45:23 > 0:45:29but I do know that they are scoring indicators for card games. And they're made from rosewood.
0:45:29 > 0:45:35These are little ivory tabs with little coloured inlays which are in the Japanese style.
0:45:35 > 0:45:41A lot of Japanese ivory is called Shibayama style when it has coloured inlays of mother of pearl.
0:45:41 > 0:45:49- How did you come to own them?- I found them in a display cabinet when I was clearing my mother's house.
0:45:49 > 0:45:53- Oh, right.- Last year.- And you thought, "What are these?"- Exactly.
0:45:53 > 0:45:57- And you brought them back to your house?- Yes.- Where do they live now?
0:45:57 > 0:46:01On a window sill where they can be seen. They're quite attractive.
0:46:01 > 0:46:06- And no one's ever told you what they are?- People ask, but I can't help!
0:46:06 > 0:46:10- Well, now you know, but it's too late - you're selling them!- Yeah.
0:46:10 > 0:46:15They're turn of the century and there isn't much more to say,
0:46:15 > 0:46:20- but value-wise. Have you got any idea?- Not really. Haven't a clue.
0:46:20 > 0:46:24- They're typically about £40-£50 each.- Oh, excellent.
0:46:24 > 0:46:30So I would put £50-£80 estimate on the two. We've got a little bit of inlay missing out of that one.
0:46:30 > 0:46:38- I would suggest £50-£80 as a guide price to get people interested. And a reserve of £50.- OK.
0:46:38 > 0:46:42So they don't go for less. They're certainly worth that.
0:46:42 > 0:46:46Hopefully, they'll make about £100, £120, something like that.
0:46:46 > 0:46:50- If they didn't make the reserve, I'd keep them.- Exactly.
0:46:50 > 0:46:56- You can use them as a mystery object to test all your friends. - Test my guests.- Test your guests.
0:46:56 > 0:47:03Pass them round and say, "Guess what these are for." Or you could work out how they work
0:47:03 > 0:47:08- and if you do find out, do give me a ring!- I'll let you know!
0:47:08 > 0:47:13- Thanks for coming. If they made £100, is there something you'd do with it?- Nothing specific.
0:47:13 > 0:47:18- Maybe add it to the next holiday fund.- That's better than nothing.
0:47:18 > 0:47:21Absolutely. Right now it's our last valuation,
0:47:21 > 0:47:25and I've found something a bit special.
0:47:25 > 0:47:28- You're holding a real treasure in your hand here.- Thank you.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31- Where did you get this from? - I bought it about 20 years ago
0:47:31 > 0:47:34at the equivalent of a car-boot sale in Aberdeen.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37It was just on one of the stalls there.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39- How much did you pay for that?- £2.
0:47:39 > 0:47:43£2?! Gosh! And what have you done with it ever since -
0:47:43 > 0:47:46- stood it up in a cabinet? - Yes, it's been in a china cabinet.
0:47:46 > 0:47:49Good. You've looked after it. That's very delicate.
0:47:49 > 0:47:52- Can I have a look?- Yes, by all means.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55- You know what it is, don't you? - Yes.- It's an arm-rest.
0:47:55 > 0:47:57- Yes.- Normally made in pairs,
0:47:57 > 0:48:00so that bit of ivory would have been split down the middle,
0:48:00 > 0:48:02and modelled and tooled on both sides.
0:48:02 > 0:48:05This is a lovely example of what ivory should look like.
0:48:05 > 0:48:08Can you see this swirling grain? Not straight lines.
0:48:08 > 0:48:11Almost like bits of marble. Carved as well,
0:48:11 > 0:48:14but plainly understated, and it's had a lot of wear.
0:48:14 > 0:48:17It's starting to flatten. It's had some rub.
0:48:17 > 0:48:21But this side... Wow! When you turn it over,
0:48:21 > 0:48:23it's a joy to behold. It really is.
0:48:23 > 0:48:25It's telling a story. I don't know what,
0:48:25 > 0:48:29but there's musicians playing, people carrying things,
0:48:29 > 0:48:31and all of this is cut from the solid.
0:48:31 > 0:48:33You see how they've got in behind the tree,
0:48:33 > 0:48:36- so you can see right through it? - Amazing skill.
0:48:36 > 0:48:38Oh! It could be Cantonese. I'm not sure.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41But it's definitely for the export market,
0:48:41 > 0:48:45and I would say sort of Victorian period, around about 1860s.
0:48:45 > 0:48:49Oh, I see! As old as that? I didn't realise it was quite as old.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52Yeah, and it's a very curious market right now,
0:48:52 > 0:48:57because a lot of wealthy people in mainland China are buying back their heritage,
0:48:57 > 0:49:00and they'll find this on the internet if you want to sell it.
0:49:00 > 0:49:03There is a little bit of damage. It's only there.
0:49:03 > 0:49:06- The head of an animal. - Looks like a dog, doesn't it?
0:49:06 > 0:49:08Have you any idea what this might be worth?
0:49:08 > 0:49:14I did show it to someone else, and they thought 200 to 250, maybe.
0:49:14 > 0:49:15So, you're about to turn...
0:49:15 > 0:49:20- My £2 into...- To 200. - ..profit, yes, hopefully.
0:49:20 > 0:49:24Well, how about we double that 200?
0:49:24 > 0:49:27I think a sensible guide would be £500 to £800.
0:49:27 > 0:49:29Oh, well, that's tremendous.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32- I really do. - Well, that would make me very happy.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35Do you want to put a reserve on this?
0:49:35 > 0:49:38Probably. Maybe... What, 300, 400?
0:49:38 > 0:49:40OK. Let's put a reserve of £400 on.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43This is the surprise we could all be waiting for.
0:49:43 > 0:49:47Whatever you do, keep watching. This is going to get exciting.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50- Thank you so much, James. - Thank you very much.
0:49:50 > 0:49:54It certainly is, but I should point out that the sale of ivory
0:49:54 > 0:49:57after 1947 is banned in this country,
0:49:57 > 0:50:01and I'm sure you'll agree, it's always best on the animal itself.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04What makes this 19th-century arm-rest stand out
0:50:04 > 0:50:08and give it its value is the pure skill of the craftsman.
0:50:08 > 0:50:13Before we head off to the saleroom, here's a recap of what we're taking to the auction and why.
0:50:13 > 0:50:17Adam only saw a sample of Virginie's Shelley tea set,
0:50:17 > 0:50:21so we took a gamble, valuing it at £100 to £150.
0:50:21 > 0:50:24With gold doing well, Anita thought Willie's jubilee coin
0:50:24 > 0:50:28was a sound investment. He paid £500 for it,
0:50:28 > 0:50:31but she predicted it could double this.
0:50:32 > 0:50:34Those two rosewood and ivory whist markers,
0:50:34 > 0:50:38which Adam valued at £50 to £80.
0:50:38 > 0:50:41And finally, the sort of object we all dream of finding,
0:50:41 > 0:50:43especially with a £2 price tag!
0:50:43 > 0:50:46I can guarantee you, you really don't want to miss this one
0:50:46 > 0:50:48going under the hammer.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56So, we're back at John Milne Auctioneers in Aberdeen
0:50:56 > 0:51:00with auctioneer Graham Lumsden. The place is still packed,
0:51:00 > 0:51:04which can only be a good thing for Virginie and her tea service.
0:51:04 > 0:51:06I have Adam next to me, who did the valuation.
0:51:06 > 0:51:09- We're looking at £100 to £150. - On the valuation day,
0:51:09 > 0:51:13you just brought one sample in, and you've delivered the rest.
0:51:13 > 0:51:15But there was no poor condition with it, was there?
0:51:15 > 0:51:20No. A bit brown inside, and there was a little crack there.
0:51:20 > 0:51:22- A crack?- A little one.- Oh, right.
0:51:22 > 0:51:25- THEY LAUGH - A rather large one!
0:51:25 > 0:51:27THEY LAUGH
0:51:27 > 0:51:30- Adam's just gone bright red. - We will see.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32It's not Adam's fault if it doesn't sell,
0:51:32 > 0:51:35but I think we're right on the money with this.
0:51:35 > 0:51:39You were attracted by the colours, and hopefully the bidders will be.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41It's going under the hammer right now.
0:51:41 > 0:51:43The Shelley tea set. There we go, as seen.
0:51:43 > 0:51:47And for the Shelley tea set, £120.
0:51:47 > 0:51:52Shelley tea set for 120. £100.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55- 80. I'm bid 80.- We're in at 80.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58- Any advance now on £80?- Come on. - The Shelley tea set at £80.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01There's one bid on my left at 80. Any advance now on £80?
0:52:01 > 0:52:05The Shelley tea set. All finished now at £80, the Shelley tea set?
0:52:05 > 0:52:09All finished at 80? 80 it is. Not sold.
0:52:09 > 0:52:11It didn't sell. He was looking for a bid of 100. He had 80.
0:52:11 > 0:52:15- Never mind.- That's the beauty of having a fixed reserve.
0:52:15 > 0:52:17Yes.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20- I'll just take it home again. - You don't mind, Virginie.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22I don't mind at all. No. I don't mind at all.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25- Sorry about that. - Thank you.- It was nice to meet you.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28Shelley, for the first time, has let us down.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31- Must have been the crack. - Must have been the little crack!
0:52:31 > 0:52:34A bit of brown inside. THEY LAUGH
0:52:34 > 0:52:36Condition is so important,
0:52:36 > 0:52:39and I'm sure Adam would have revised his valuation
0:52:39 > 0:52:43had he looked at the whole service, especially if he'd seen a crack.
0:52:44 > 0:52:47This next lot was bought ten years ago for £500.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50Let's find out what it's worth ten years later.
0:52:50 > 0:52:53It's Willie's gold coin. It's the £5 jubilee coin.
0:52:53 > 0:52:58- Yeah.- £5 should be worth something like £1,000, shouldn't it, Anita?
0:52:58 > 0:53:01- What do you think? - Well, the date of it is important.
0:53:01 > 0:53:06This was the first year that they made coins for circulation,
0:53:06 > 0:53:08and there were 54,000 of these made.
0:53:08 > 0:53:11I bet quite a few have been lost over the years.
0:53:11 > 0:53:14Because they were used, but this one is in good condition,
0:53:14 > 0:53:17and I think it was a very canny investment!
0:53:17 > 0:53:21Well done, Willie! Why are you selling now, ten years later?
0:53:21 > 0:53:24- The price of gold is... - You've been watching the markets?
0:53:24 > 0:53:27- Yeah.- And you have to check them virtually weekly now,
0:53:27 > 0:53:30because they do fluctuate.
0:53:30 > 0:53:32It has gone up a wee bitty since the valuation, so...
0:53:32 > 0:53:36I like the way you said that. Can you say that again? A wee bitty?
0:53:36 > 0:53:39It has gone up a wee bitty since the valuation.
0:53:39 > 0:53:43Let's find out what this lot think. It's going under the hammer now.
0:53:43 > 0:53:47This £5 gold jubilee coin, 1887.
0:53:47 > 0:53:51And for this jubilee coin,
0:53:51 > 0:53:53£1,200.
0:53:53 > 0:53:551,000.
0:53:55 > 0:53:56- 700.- Yes.
0:53:56 > 0:53:59- We're in at seven.- 750 with me.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02Any advance now on £750?
0:54:02 > 0:54:04- Yes.- 800 at the door.
0:54:04 > 0:54:07It's outside the door at £800. 850.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10900. It's outside the door at £900, the coin.
0:54:10 > 0:54:14- Come on!- Come on, come on, come on. We got a phone line. Look.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17The £5 gold piece, at £900. It'll be sold for £900.
0:54:17 > 0:54:20- All finished at nine? - Hammer's going down.
0:54:20 > 0:54:22- £900.- 900.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25Not quite £1,000, but we made £900. Are you happy with that?
0:54:25 > 0:54:28- Yes, I'm happy. - It was a good investment.
0:54:28 > 0:54:32Well, Willie did a good job at keeping his emotions in check,
0:54:32 > 0:54:36but doubling your money has to be good by anybody's standards.
0:54:37 > 0:54:43If you play your cards right, you could own this next lot. Maureen, I like this, so does Adam.
0:54:43 > 0:54:47- I'm sure someone will snap them up. - It's those whist markers.
0:54:47 > 0:54:51Even the auctioneer, I had a chat to him, and he thoroughly loved them.
0:54:51 > 0:54:56He said, "This is the kind of thing I'd like to sell every day."
0:54:56 > 0:55:00- There's one little bit of damage. - One of the butterflies, wasn't it?
0:55:00 > 0:55:06Yeah, the mother of pearl was missing. Nevertheless, quality.
0:55:06 > 0:55:09Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:55:09 > 0:55:14We have the pair of rosewood coloured inlay whist markers.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16£150?
0:55:16 > 0:55:17120?
0:55:17 > 0:55:21£100? 80?
0:55:21 > 0:55:2260?
0:55:22 > 0:55:26- We're going the wrong way! - Turn round!
0:55:26 > 0:55:31The whist markers at £60. One bid at £60.
0:55:31 > 0:55:34- It's on my right. 65. 70. - There we go.
0:55:34 > 0:55:39- 75. 80.- Now we've changed direction. We're going back up.
0:55:39 > 0:55:44Now at £85. Any advance on £85 for the whist markers? At 85.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47- That's OK for those.- At £85.
0:55:47 > 0:55:50Going to be sold for £85.
0:55:50 > 0:55:54- That's gone down. That was a good result.- Yes.- I'm happy. Are you?
0:55:54 > 0:55:58- Yes, I am, yes. - That was a good result.
0:55:58 > 0:56:02We had a slight condition issue, but they're lovely things.
0:56:02 > 0:56:04And you're smiling.
0:56:06 > 0:56:10It's my turn to be the expert. I've just been joined by James,
0:56:10 > 0:56:13and we're going to sell that lovely Chinese carved ivory arm-rest.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16Beautiful undercuts and figuring on that.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19Quality, quality. Had a chat to the auctioneer yesterday.
0:56:19 > 0:56:23He agreed with the valuation. It should sell at the £400 reserve,
0:56:23 > 0:56:26but will it do five, six, seven? We don't know.
0:56:26 > 0:56:31If it had its other pair, you might do £1,500, £2,000,
0:56:31 > 0:56:33but the Chinese market is red hot right now,
0:56:33 > 0:56:36and they're buying all their artefacts back.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39Let's see if they're here, shall we? Here we go.
0:56:39 > 0:56:42This is an ivory Eastern hand-cut arm-rest,
0:56:42 > 0:56:46or wrist-rest. Can we start the bidding at £500?
0:56:46 > 0:56:50- I'm bid £450 to start it. - Look, we're straight in, anyway.
0:56:50 > 0:56:54470. 480. 490. 500.
0:56:54 > 0:56:56- 520.- Commission bids everywhere.
0:56:56 > 0:57:00At 520. 540. 560. 580. 600.
0:57:00 > 0:57:03The porter's bidding on behalf of somebody.
0:57:03 > 0:57:06680. 700. 720.
0:57:06 > 0:57:09- 740.- Oh, this is great!
0:57:09 > 0:57:11780. 800. 820.
0:57:11 > 0:57:13840. 860.
0:57:13 > 0:57:16870. 880.
0:57:16 > 0:57:20- At 880 outside the door. - James, this is...- Good, isn't it?
0:57:20 > 0:57:24- Late bidder.- 900. 920. 940.
0:57:24 > 0:57:25960. 980.
0:57:25 > 0:57:28- James, you're in the money! - Aren't I just?
0:57:28 > 0:57:32At 1,100 in the room. Any advance, now, at £1,100?
0:57:32 > 0:57:34It's on my left in the room at £1,100.
0:57:34 > 0:57:37- Are you shaking?- Yeah!
0:57:37 > 0:57:421,150. 1,200. At £1,200. Again on my left at £1,200.
0:57:42 > 0:57:45Going to be sold for £1,200. Any advance on 1,200?
0:57:45 > 0:57:49Wow! What a powerful market the Chinese market is!
0:57:49 > 0:57:52£1,200!
0:57:52 > 0:57:54Fabulous!
0:57:54 > 0:57:57- Fabulous! And how much did you pay for it? Remind us. Rub it in.- £2!
0:57:57 > 0:58:02£2. It is all out there. You've just got to get up early and go looking,
0:58:02 > 0:58:05and if it's not there on the first day it'll be there on the next day.
0:58:05 > 0:58:08James, thank you so much for bringing that in.
0:58:08 > 0:58:11We've all learned something here. I hope you have at home.
0:58:11 > 0:58:15Join us again for more surprises, but from Aberdeen, it's goodbye.
0:58:23 > 0:58:27Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd