0:00:10 > 0:00:13'Can you guess which city we're coming from today?
0:00:13 > 0:00:17'Well, we're in Wells. Welcome to Flog It!'
0:00:40 > 0:00:42'Wells is in the heart of Somerset.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46'It's one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the UK.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50'It may be one of England's smallest cities, but it's big on grandeur,
0:00:50 > 0:00:54'and home to the spectacular Wells Cathedral,
0:00:54 > 0:00:57'our host for today's show.'
0:01:04 > 0:01:09This is where it all starts, in the cloisters at Wells Cathedral.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13My favourite part, because you never know what's in all of these bags.
0:01:13 > 0:01:18It's our job to find out, to put them into auction and to look after everybody.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22Stay tuned because someone is going home with a small fortune.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28'With their wealth of experience,
0:01:28 > 0:01:32'Anita Manning and Will Axon will be in charge of our valuation tables.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36'Here's a look at what's on today's programme.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40'Will picks out an unusual early 20th-century ceramic.'
0:01:40 > 0:01:45This is the firm, Barum Pottery, the Roman name for Barnstaple...
0:01:45 > 0:01:49- Oh! I didn't know that. - ..where the firm was started.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54'Magpie Anita is attracted to something that really sparkles.'
0:01:54 > 0:01:59Kim, they say that diamonds are a girl's best friend, and what we have
0:01:59 > 0:02:03are two nice little diamond items.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07'And I take a look around a brand-new building in Bath
0:02:07 > 0:02:11'that takes the museum well and truly into the 21st century,
0:02:11 > 0:02:15'incorporating magnificently the old and the new.'
0:02:15 > 0:02:20It's like a floating pavilion in these beautiful grounds.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24And on the inside, it allows the old rooms to breathe with vitality.
0:02:24 > 0:02:30'First up on Will's table, Doris has brought in a very generous gift.'
0:02:30 > 0:02:34Doris, tell me, has this come straight off your wrist?
0:02:34 > 0:02:37- No...- Or have you brought this along specifically?
0:02:37 > 0:02:40I'm a member of the Friends of Wells Cathedral.
0:02:40 > 0:02:45- We raise money for the upkeep of the cathedral.- That must be some job!
0:02:45 > 0:02:49It is. It's been going for 80 years, but it's raised a lot of money.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53- Someone left us this as a legacy to sell for funds.- Ah!
0:02:53 > 0:02:56Hence you brought it along to see if we can flog it for you.
0:02:56 > 0:03:02- I've no idea how much it was worth. - Any ideas what it was made of?
0:03:02 > 0:03:05- Had you heard of Longines, the maker?- Yes.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07We realised it was a decent watch.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11- Obviously, it depends on the age and...- Yes.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13You're right.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Age-wise, it's not what we would call a vintage timepiece.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21I would imagine that it dates from around the 1980s.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26For watch collectors, for them to be interested in watches of that age,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29they need to be very limited editions by big names.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31But what we do have
0:03:31 > 0:03:36is a nine-carat gold bracelet as well as the nine-carat gold case.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41Because that, I'm afraid, is where the value is, in the gold content.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45It's a bit of a shame, when you say it's worth nothing as a watch.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49To go out and buy this new would have been fairly expensive.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53Whereas resale, no-one's interested in it as a timepiece.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56It's a modern quartz movement
0:03:56 > 0:03:59and watch collectors like the mechanics of it.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01- It's all a bit anorak-y!- Yes.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06But what we do have is a decent amount of gold, nine-carat gold.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11You were given it some time ago. How long have you held on to it?
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- Just a few months, about six months. - You say "just a few months".
0:04:14 > 0:04:21The price of gold is steadily rising. It's still going up. People are speculating on the price rising.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26With troubles around the world, people see gold as a safe investment.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29I would say, having weighed the watch,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32that you would be looking at £200 to £300 for the gold value.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36- That's certainly very generous... - Would you be happy at that?
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Obviously, whatever you get, it's a bonus, isn't it?
0:04:40 > 0:04:44- So shall we put an estimate on it of £200 to £300?- Yes.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49- But are you happy for it just to find its level in the sale?- Yes.
0:04:49 > 0:04:55If it finds its level, whatever we make on it will go into the coffers, we'll be very grateful.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00At sales nowadays, with the price of gold, you do get the dealers,
0:05:00 > 0:05:04they literally start at one end of the cabinet with the digital scales,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08they weigh everything and they know exactly what it's worth.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11- They won't let it go for under scrap value.- No.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15It might make a bit more as people speculate on the price rising.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Doris, it's been a pleasure talking to you.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22- Thank you.- Thank you very much for having us at the cathedral.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25On behalf of the Friends, it's been great to have you.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29Well, fingers crossed the Friends will have a few more pounds to spend on something.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33'What a fantastic cause!
0:05:33 > 0:05:37'I really hope that watch makes an impact in the saleroom.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40'Now, I've spied something a bit quirky
0:05:40 > 0:05:42'and I want to take a closer look.'
0:05:44 > 0:05:46Roy, you're clutching a post box.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49I know it's a post box cos I can see "post" on it.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53- How long have you had this? - About 40 years. More.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- Was it your parents', then?- Yes. - Did they ever use it?
0:05:56 > 0:06:00Used it to store brushes in, like shoe brushes.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04- Oh, did they?- Yeah. - Can I have a quick look?
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Somebody's done a lot of decorating in your house.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12- I can see lots of splashes of emulsion paint. Can you see?- Yes.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17This to me evokes that Edwardian era of hunting, shooting, fishing.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22Those big estate houses where you'd have a large reception area
0:06:22 > 0:06:26and this would be on the desk with the daily post.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- If you were the master of the house, you'd have the key.- Yes.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33You could pop that open and retrieve your letters.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35I think it's beautifully made.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- The lock still works but you don't have the key, do you?- No.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42It's bound in Moroccan leather.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44Inside, there's green tooled leather.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48Moroccan leather outside, a nice chocolate colour.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50This flap would have been crimson red.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- Yes.- So you've got those lovely three tones.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56There's a bit of damage, but not much.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01Whoever bought this would polish that with a bit of bee's wax.
0:07:01 > 0:07:06Hopefully, it would remove this emulsion. It's only water-based.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09You could polish up this silver plate.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12I think that's a cracking little box, I really do.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14There's a lot of box collectors.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18- It's made of soft wood and it's been covered in Moroccan leather.- Yes.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23- Any idea of value?- Well, I would say probably about £25?
0:07:23 > 0:07:25You're right in this condition.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29If somebody could clean this up, they might get around £70 for it.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- About £70?- Yeah.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35- It needs a bit of TLC.- Yes. - So let's take that into account.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39- Let's put it into auction with a guide of £30 to £50.- Yes.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- A fixed reserve at £25. - That's fine.- Happy?- Yes, thank you.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47Let's hope it's not returned to sender, when we get to auction.
0:07:47 > 0:07:48Yes.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Kim, they say that diamonds are a girl's best friend.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58And what we have here are two nice
0:07:58 > 0:08:01little diamond items.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Where did you get them?
0:08:03 > 0:08:06I got made redundant a couple of years ago
0:08:06 > 0:08:10and I thought I'd put some money into jewellery.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- You wanted to treat yourself?- Yeah. For investment purposes.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18I'd seen it in an antiques shop in Bristol, in Clifton,
0:08:18 > 0:08:21and I fell in love with it.
0:08:21 > 0:08:27I particularly like this pendant, quite an unusual little piece.
0:08:27 > 0:08:33Although I don't think that it is the first part of the 20th century,
0:08:33 > 0:08:37it has a 1930s look about it, an Art Deco look.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41But one of the most interesting things about it
0:08:41 > 0:08:46is that you have this lovely pendant here,
0:08:46 > 0:08:51and if we just draw that apart, turn it round,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53we have, perhaps,
0:08:53 > 0:08:57one which would suit an evening occasion.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02So we have day and night, and that's absolutely lovely.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- Thank you.- Did you know that this opened when you bought it?
0:09:05 > 0:09:11I did. That is why I liked it so much, because it was so unusual.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14And you could wear it in the day and the evening.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18- That captured your imagination? - It's beautiful, yeah.- It's lovely.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22We have quite a lot of diamonds in this little piece.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25They are fairly small.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30The auctioneer will use a special tool to measure the diamonds
0:09:30 > 0:09:33that will give us a total caratage of the piece.
0:09:33 > 0:09:38This will help with the price on it.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42- To go on to the little earrings, did you wear these?- No.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46Worn them? No. I don't go anywhere to wear them.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- BOTH LAUGH - Neither do I!
0:09:49 > 0:09:54These are a lovely little pair of floret shaped diamond earrings.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57Diamond earrings are very popular.
0:09:57 > 0:10:03- Price-wise, you bought them in a retail situation.- Yes.
0:10:03 > 0:10:09So one must think that it will be difficult to recoup that money.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14- Right.- But what I can say is that these items...
0:10:14 > 0:10:20I'm not going to ask you how much you paid for them, but I think that these are so delightful
0:10:20 > 0:10:26and they are so appealing that we may get a wee surprise with them.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28I would like to put an estimate
0:10:28 > 0:10:30on the little pendant
0:10:30 > 0:10:34- of 150 to 250.- Right. - If we keep it low,
0:10:34 > 0:10:39and keep it wide, I think that's the best idea.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42With the diamond earrings,
0:10:42 > 0:10:47180? 220? In that region.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Would you be satisfied with that?
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- I'd be very happy.- You'd be happy if you got your money back.- Yeah.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55We might get a wee surprise.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59We'll have to make sure the auctioneer knows that it opens up.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08It is auction time and we're putting all our items to the test
0:11:08 > 0:11:14right here, Tamlyn & Son auction rooms in the heart of Bridgwater.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17'Always factor in commission when buying or selling at auction.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22'The seller's commission here is:
0:11:22 > 0:11:28'Today's sale is under way, headed up by auctioneer Claire Rawle.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30'Doris is hoping that gold watch
0:11:30 > 0:11:33'will raise some big funds for the cathedral.'
0:11:33 > 0:11:39- I've been joined by Doris, who kindly helped us out at the cathedral.- Yes, I did.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44As a steward, and also managed to scrape in a valuation with Will.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46- Yes.- £200 to £300.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50- That's right. It was donated, wasn't it, to the Friends?- Yes.
0:11:50 > 0:11:55There was a bit of dithering and we were joking that in the time
0:11:55 > 0:11:58that you waited to sell, the price of gold creeped up.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01The melt value keeps going up and up.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05Even from the valuation day, it's probably sneaked up a few pence.
0:12:05 > 0:12:10- The value is purely in the melt weight?- I'm afraid so.- That's OK.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12It's helping things get away.
0:12:12 > 0:12:18When we started doing this show ten years ago, the value of scrap silver was £4.80 an ounce.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- Silver has just gone over £20 an ounce.- They're paying that.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Incredible. When's it going to stop? I don't know.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27But good luck, Doris. This is it.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31The lady's Longines wrist watch.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35- I've got £220...- It's gone.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40Do I see 250 in the room? Bid's with me at 220. 250.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44280. No. At 280, still with me.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47300 at the very, very back. £300.
0:12:47 > 0:12:52320 anywhere? At £300 at the back there.
0:12:52 > 0:12:53Are you all done at 300?
0:12:55 > 0:12:57The hammer's gone down. Top end of the estimate.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- The money is going towards restoration of the cathedral?- Yes.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- Wonderful.- I would imagine that's a bottomless pit.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- I bet that's ongoing! - It never stops.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11'Well, that's a brilliant start.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15'Next, it's Kim and that jewellery that Anita loved so much.'
0:13:17 > 0:13:20I gather the proceeds of what we're selling,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23the necklace and some earrings, two separate lots,
0:13:23 > 0:13:27the proceeds are going to a cultural trip to Rome.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30- Have you been before?- I have. - You love it?- LOVE it.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- What's the best thing about Rome? - The Vatican and the Italian food.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Oh, the food. Bella, bella! Mamma mia!
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Well, look, let's get you there in style, OK?
0:13:40 > 0:13:44We're looking at £150 to £250. Hopefully, we'll get the top end.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47All nine-carat white gold. Good quality.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Wonderful combination of diamonds and white gold.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54It's very pretty and it's very feminine.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- Something for the girls.- Hopefully. - Well, there's plenty here.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Let's find out what they think. Here's the first one.
0:14:02 > 0:14:069K white gold little pendant with a flexible design.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11Pretty little item this. I have to start away here at £75.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14At 75. Do I see 80 anywhere? At 75.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18At 75. Now 80? At 75... 80. Five.
0:14:18 > 0:14:2090. Five. 100.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25- 110. 120. 130. 140. 145. - Sticky start but getting there.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29- 150 at the back...- Done it!
0:14:29 > 0:14:31At 150 it is, then.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Are you all done? Selling at 150.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- Hammer's gone down. - I'm pleased with that.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40That was a sticky start. I thought we'd struggle at 75.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45- I thought it was a wee bit low, but they went there.- Yeah.- Tension.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49One down. One to go. Now the earrings. This is it.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53The pair of white metal and diamond earrings in the flower head design.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57I'm going to have to start these away at £110.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- Not bad.- Not bad.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04120 anywhere? At 110. Do I see 120?
0:15:04 > 0:15:06120. 130.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10140? 140. 150. At 150, still here.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13At 150. Now 160 anywhere?
0:15:13 > 0:15:15At £150. You all done...?
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- She didn't sell. That's a shame.- Nearly.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23We got the first one away at £150. You can wear the earrings to Rome.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28I'll take them to Rome and wear them. I'm fine with that. Honestly.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33- Enjoy it, won't you?- I will. Thank you very much anyway.- Close.
0:15:35 > 0:15:36Well, you win some, you lose some.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39At least Kim protected the earrings with a reserve.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42But she's got a good price for the necklace.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47For our next lot, which is so quintessentially English,
0:15:47 > 0:15:52a touch of Edwardian England and it doesn't cost you a lot of money.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Belongs to Roy and it's that tiny desk post box.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Love it. Absolutely love it.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02I know we only said £20 to £30, but it's got the look.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07It's got the passion. It breathes that whole country house atmosphere.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09It's going under the hammer.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- I hope you haven't changed your mind.- No, I haven't.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16- We're in this till the end. - Yeah. Thank you.- Here we go.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21This early 20th-century domestic post box.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26I start this one away at £50 for the little post box...
0:16:26 > 0:16:27Yes!
0:16:27 > 0:16:30..Five. 70. Five. 80.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Five. 90. Five. 100.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34110. 120. 130.
0:16:34 > 0:16:40Back of the room at 130. At £130. Now, do I see 140?
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- That's brilliant.- 130...
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Ever so happy with that!
0:16:44 > 0:16:49People with taste here in the room wanted to buy that!
0:16:49 > 0:16:53- Yes.- Happy? You've got to be happy. - Yes, I am. Very happy.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58- That'll come in handy, won't it? - It will. Yes. I'm so pleased.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03'I loved that little post box. I'm over the moon for Roy as well.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06'Before we get back to the valuation day in Wells,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08'I'm going to travel across Somerset to Bath,
0:17:08 > 0:17:13'and look around a unique building full of some real treasures.'
0:17:19 > 0:17:23The UK is well endowed when it comes to galleries and museums.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25There's around 3,000 of them.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29Here in the Georgian splendour of Bath, there's about 20,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32which is quite a lot for a city of its size.
0:17:32 > 0:17:38Arguably, the jewel in Bath's crown is over there, the Holburne Museum.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44This neoclassical gem was built in the late 1700s
0:17:44 > 0:17:46as the Sydney Hotel.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50Sitting grandly at the end of Great Pulteney Street,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54it was the gateway to the 18th-century pleasure gardens,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57where glittering socialites could strut their stuff.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05And it's no less impressive today.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09This is one of the country's most outstanding small museums.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Like all best-loved and characterful museums,
0:18:12 > 0:18:16the Holburne has at its heart a personal collection.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21'It all started when Sir William Holburne bequeathed his collection
0:18:21 > 0:18:23'to the people of Bath,
0:18:23 > 0:18:28'providing the kernel for Bath's first public museum, in 1882.
0:18:28 > 0:18:33'Holburne was an avid collector of thousands of exquisite objects
0:18:33 > 0:18:35'which are now nationally important.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40'These include his collection of Renaissance bronzes,
0:18:40 > 0:18:43'Italian maiolica,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46'stunning silver,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49'porcelain
0:18:49 > 0:18:51'and paintings.'
0:19:06 > 0:19:11He lived up the road in a modest house with three unmarried sisters.
0:19:11 > 0:19:16An inventory dated 1874 tells us exactly how every room,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19surface and cabinet would have been jam-packed,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22stuffed full of art and artefacts.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25This exhibit gives you a little indication
0:19:25 > 0:19:28of how Sir William Holburne lived at home.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32You can see how cluttered it is, but there is fine art everywhere.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Every surface was peppered with items of virtue.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39He was a wonderful collector and he had a superb eye.
0:19:39 > 0:19:46No-one knows where this passion for collecting came from but we know he went on the European Grand Tour,
0:19:46 > 0:19:52so he was obviously influenced by what he saw and he wanted some of that treasure for himself.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58'He acquired works of exceptional significance,
0:19:58 > 0:20:03'like Susini's refined bronze of a kneeling woman bathing,
0:20:03 > 0:20:08'the extraordinary and incredibly rare Diana and Actaeon plate,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11'an early example of maiolica,
0:20:11 > 0:20:16'and his group of 17th-century Dutch and Netherlandish paintings
0:20:16 > 0:20:20'is still the most important in the west of England.'
0:20:24 > 0:20:27The seed that Holburne generously sowed
0:20:27 > 0:20:30had grown since his death somewhat dramatically.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35The museum has acquired a further 2,000 loans, bequests,
0:20:35 > 0:20:39gifts and purchases, leaving it somewhat short of space -
0:20:39 > 0:20:43the same problem William probably had at home with his collection.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47Although the museum had room to house the core of the collection,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50it left the galleries feeling a little cramped.
0:20:50 > 0:20:56It could only display half of what it owned, so what it needed was an extension.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58And boy, did it get one!
0:21:21 > 0:21:26Isn't that just fabulous? I bet it wasn't what you were expecting.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30It is one big enormous glass cube, but a very clever one.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35The architects haven't paid a plodding homage to a city of stone.
0:21:35 > 0:21:41They've brought the gardens into play, a fitting tribute to the site's original history.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44They've embraced the town with nature
0:21:44 > 0:21:48and haven't obscured this wonderful neoclassical building.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51It breathes, and it breathes life.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55For me, this is a lyrical exercise in modernist architecture.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57And it's a triumph.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07'Designed by British architect Eric Parry, it's bold and beautiful,
0:22:07 > 0:22:12'while responding to the museum's needs, doubling the display space.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18'Rather than try to disguise where the old ends and the new begins,
0:22:18 > 0:22:20'it's embraced and highlighted.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23'Cornices and capitals are celebrated
0:22:23 > 0:22:27'and the modern jigsaws into the old seamlessly.'
0:22:29 > 0:22:32In my view, a resounding success.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36It's a fascinating story of a collector whose passion for art
0:22:36 > 0:22:38literally filled his world.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43That passion is still celebrated with this very successful building,
0:22:43 > 0:22:47juxtaposing the old and the new dramatically,
0:22:47 > 0:22:51ensuring that the contents and the exterior of this fabulous place
0:22:51 > 0:22:55are going to be appreciated by future generations to come.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11'We're back at our valuation day at Wells Cathedral.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13'Before we return to the tables,
0:23:13 > 0:23:17'I want to take time out to explore this wonderful building.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23'The story starts with these springs
0:23:23 > 0:23:27'in the Bishop's Palace garden next to the cathedral.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30'The springs, or "waella" in Anglo-Saxon,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33'give Wells both its name and origins.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36'They bubble up continuously in the gardens
0:23:36 > 0:23:40'and are the reason for the original settlement in this area.
0:23:44 > 0:23:49'Prior to the cathedral, there were several places of worship here,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52'including a Romano-British mausoleum,
0:23:52 > 0:23:54'a Saxon mortuary chapel
0:23:54 > 0:23:58'and in 705 AD, a minster church was founded here.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08'Work on the present cathedral began around 1175.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11'Gothic architecture was popular in France,
0:24:11 > 0:24:16'but Wells was the first English cathedral to be built
0:24:16 > 0:24:19'entirely in this revolutionary style.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26'And the exquisite design continues inside.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29'When you enter the nave, your eye is drawn
0:24:29 > 0:24:32'up to these beautiful scissor arches.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36'You'd be forgiven for thinking they are of modern design,
0:24:36 > 0:24:41'but they were created in the 1300s to combat sinking tower foundations.
0:24:43 > 0:24:49'These ingenious examples were designed by the mason William Joy
0:24:49 > 0:24:51'and took a decade to build.
0:24:59 > 0:25:04'The cathedral clock dates back to around 1390.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06'It's a real delight to watch.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08'When it strikes,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11'these jousting knights rush around above the clock.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14'The building houses
0:25:14 > 0:25:18'some of the most impressive examples of stained glass in Europe.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20'They're remarkably well intact,
0:25:20 > 0:25:24'giving us a fantastic insight into how medieval glaziers
0:25:24 > 0:25:26'would have created the windows
0:25:26 > 0:25:30'and how our ancestors would have viewed them.
0:25:35 > 0:25:40'These are just a few of the remarkable unique features here.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44'I really hope I've inspired you to take a look for yourself,
0:25:44 > 0:25:46'because it truly is marvellous.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57'Back on Will's table, Judith wants to find out more about her vase.'
0:25:57 > 0:26:01Judith, this caught my eye when I saw you with it in the queue.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03You were here nice and early.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08- Is it something you brought because you don't like it?- I quite like it.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12- You want to know more about it.- Yes. - Did you go out and buy it?- No.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14It was my mother's.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17- I started making pottery, took up a course.- Oh.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20She said, "You like pottery. You have it."
0:26:20 > 0:26:25That's very kind of her. So you did a bit of pottery yourself?
0:26:25 > 0:26:29- Oh, yes.- You look an artistic type with these lovely...
0:26:29 > 0:26:34- dangling earrings.- Handmade.- Really? By yourself?- No, my daughter.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37- So it runs in your family. - Could be. Yes.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42It's interesting you brought up this mother and daughter connection.
0:26:42 > 0:26:47There's a father and son connection with the vase you brought in.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50That leads us quite nicely in to the vase, which...
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Let's pick it up, have a feel.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57First thing you've got to do with pottery, spin it round in your hand.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02- Look for damage - I've spotted a bit.- Yes.- Have a look at the base.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04Here we go.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07"CH Brannam of Barum".
0:27:07 > 0:27:12- A nice date, 1905, I think it says. - Yes.- Registered number here.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16Then a signature that's probably going to be the decorator's mark.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19- Oh, I see.- Whoever decorated it.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23This is Charles. He was the son of the founder of the pottery...
0:27:23 > 0:27:25- Yes.- ..who was Thomas.- Right.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29His father Thomas started the firm sort of mid-19th century.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33The mainstay of this firm's production
0:27:33 > 0:27:35was general domestic ware.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40- That's right. Yes.- Now, the old artistic flair came into it
0:27:40 > 0:27:44when Charles, the son, left art school, was looking for a job.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47His father said, "Come and work in the pottery."
0:27:47 > 0:27:51Rather than making the plain boring domestic wares,
0:27:51 > 0:27:55he wanted to experiment with pottery, he's got all these ideas.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58- Good.- And he set up the part of the factory
0:27:58 > 0:28:03that was in charge of doing what we call Sgraffito decoration.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07You're literally carving into the wet slip of the clay.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11- You probably know all this from your days potting.- Yes.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15- This is the firm name here, Barum Pottery.- Yes.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18- The Roman name for Barnstaple. - Oh, I didn't know that.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22Which is where the firm was started. We're not that far from Barnstaple.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25- Just across the border? - It's not very far.
0:28:25 > 0:28:30- I'm hoping there's going to be a bit of local collector interest.- Yes.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34I really like the way the handle's slightly off.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36- It's natural looking.- Exactly.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40It's got an organic feel, which is what he was after,
0:28:40 > 0:28:42- and this wavy rim.- Yes.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46- I don't think it's still going, the firm.- No, it's closed.
0:28:46 > 0:28:52- Ten years ago, I went, and they had a small museum on the site.- Yes.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56Ten years ago... They closed in 2003, I think.
0:28:56 > 0:29:02- Which is a real shame, but it's the story...- It's what happens. - Everything's made abroad.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06It's cheaper to produce and it gets shipped back in. It's a shame.
0:29:06 > 0:29:12- When these chaps were about...- It was to sell a bit of art and craft.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16I said I spotted a bit of damage, just a small chip here.
0:29:16 > 0:29:21I think that may just be a firing crack that's perhaps split.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25A bit of crazing inside. Perhaps a little hairline here and there.
0:29:25 > 0:29:32- That's an issue...- Of course.- ..for a hard-core collector. They want things in mint condition.- Oh, yes.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35I can see that, if it's a perfect piece,
0:29:35 > 0:29:40fetching £150 to £250.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42Because of the damage, I'm going to say to you,
0:29:42 > 0:29:47- can I sort of tuck it about £80 to £100?- All right.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51What I don't want is we don't sell it for the sake of £10 or £20,
0:29:51 > 0:29:55so I'm going to be even cheekier and say can I put the reserve at £60?
0:29:55 > 0:30:00- Yes.- A fixed reserve at 60, and let's put the estimate of 80 to 120.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- It's not going to pay for your world cruise.- No!
0:30:03 > 0:30:07Why are you selling it? Does it not look nice with flowers in?
0:30:07 > 0:30:11I'd like a new garden seat to sit in and watch the flowers grow.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15- A nice garden seat. - Mother will forgive me!
0:30:15 > 0:30:18- Listen, anything towards the kitty. - That's right.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21- See you at the saleroom.- Will do.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28'I had a real treat when I spotted this wonderful painting
0:30:28 > 0:30:30'that Toni's brought in.'
0:30:30 > 0:30:35- Toni, thank you for coming in. I can call you Toni?- Of course you can.
0:30:35 > 0:30:40- I think only people that tell you off call you Antonia. - When I'm bad!- When you're bad!
0:30:40 > 0:30:46- What can you tell me about your oil painting?- It was a wedding present.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49Some 60-odd years ago.
0:30:49 > 0:30:54I love it dearly, but I'm struggling to help with my grandson's fees.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57- He's off to university? - He'll be going to university.
0:30:57 > 0:31:02- He's going to end up owing £40,000. - It's a lot of money!- It's terrible.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06You're a jolly good grandmother, that's all I can say!
0:31:06 > 0:31:11- Well, I've got lovely grandchildren. - That's what grannies are for. - That's right.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15You've brought this to the right guy because I'm from Cornwall.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19I love the Newlyn school. I think it's one of the best art movements.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23Let's start with Lamorna Birch.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27His name is Samuel John Birch, born in Cheshire in 1865.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29He's known as a northern artist,
0:31:29 > 0:31:33- but he moved to Cornwall in 1902. - That's interesting.
0:31:33 > 0:31:38He joined up with the Newlyn bunch - Stanhope Forbes, Henry Scott Tuke.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40Many great artists.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44I think this was painted in the 1930s. It's an oil on board.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48It's been put under glass and you kept it out of the sunlight.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50Thank goodness!
0:31:50 > 0:31:54He adopted the name Lamorna after Lamorna Cove,
0:31:54 > 0:31:57which he was fond of, a beautiful spot in Cornwall.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01Stanhope Forbes said, "Change your name. Adopt Lamorna."
0:32:01 > 0:32:05There was another Birch painting at the time, Lionel Birch.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07The two artists got confused.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09It's beautiful and it is signed.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12SJ Lamorna Birch.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14There you are, Samuel John Lamorna Birch.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18Sadly he died in 1955, but he is a well sought after artist.
0:32:18 > 0:32:25- I read that the total volume of works throughout his life was 20,000 pictures.- Oh, my goodness.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27There's a lot of them around.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30They're not as rare as a Henry Scott Tuke or a Walter Langley
0:32:30 > 0:32:33or a Stanhope Forbes, unfortunately,
0:32:33 > 0:32:35or Elizabeth Forbes.
0:32:35 > 0:32:40- He's up there with those all-time Newlyn greats, but not in value.- No.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44If I had to put this into auction, I'd tempt the bidders in
0:32:44 > 0:32:47with this seascape, at around £300 to £500.
0:32:47 > 0:32:52I'd like to think it does £600 in the auction room, 500 to 600.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56We're in the West Country. We're selling this in the right place.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59And it's beautiful.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03- I personally like this a lot. - I'm very sad to see it go.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07But I just want to sort of help at the moment.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11- What's your grandson's name?- Edward. Ed, he's known as.
0:33:11 > 0:33:17Edward is flogging his inheritance to pay for his studies.
0:33:17 > 0:33:22- Hopefully, he'll get a great career. - I hope so.- This will go towards it.
0:33:22 > 0:33:27I'd like to put it into auction at £300 to £500, a fixed reserve of £300.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31- That sounds wonderful.- You won't get a penny less.- Thank you so much.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34You put a smile on MY face, you really have.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39'What a wonderful character Toni is.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42'Before we see how that fabulous painting does at auction,
0:33:42 > 0:33:46'let's have a reminder of what we're taking and why.'
0:33:46 > 0:33:48This pottery is right up my street.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51With Barnstaple over the border,
0:33:51 > 0:33:54I'm hoping we get a local collector interested.
0:33:54 > 0:33:59Cornish art reminds me of home. It's got to go into auction.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02It's the best thing I have seen all day.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05I've got high hopes for this. I just love it.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09'We're back at Tamlyn & Son in Bridgwater.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11'The auction is in full swing.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13'Before our items went under the hammer,
0:34:13 > 0:34:18'I caught up with auctioneer Claire Rawle to find out if she rates
0:34:18 > 0:34:21'that Cornish painting as much as I do.'
0:34:21 > 0:34:23I come from Cornwall.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27I know all about the Newlyn school. I know a lot about Lamorna Birch.
0:34:27 > 0:34:32- This stands out from a lot of his work.- Yeah.- I put 300 to 500 on it.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34Toni has had it for a long time.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36I wouldn't be selling it.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40It's got its contemporary frame. Everything is so right about it.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44- I'm sure this is going to fly away. - I really like it as well.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48I find his work a little dark. It concentrates on woods and valleys.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51- Yeah. - I love this because of the light.
0:34:51 > 0:34:56The impressionistic look of it. I think it's a great picture.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59- Much interest so far? - We've had quite a bit. Yes.- Good.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03I'm hoping it should do well, especially for her. It'd be great.
0:35:03 > 0:35:09- This is going to go back to Cornwall.- It ought to, really. - Oh, yes.- Or somebody from Cornwall
0:35:09 > 0:35:13that wants a bit of Cornwall on their wall.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16- I think the light is fantastic. - So do I.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20Whatever you do, don't go away. Could have a big surprise.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25'I can't wait to see how that painting does,
0:35:25 > 0:35:29'but first up, remember that sweet vase that Judith brought in?'
0:35:29 > 0:35:35We're putting a bit of local pottery under the hammer. It belongs to Judith. Why are you selling this?
0:35:35 > 0:35:39- I need a new garden seat. - We've got our work cut out.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42- A garden seat coming up right now. - Fingers crossed.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46Local pottery, like you say. Hopefully, a few dealers
0:35:46 > 0:35:49have come across the border and are going to bid furiously.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52It's all in the clay! Here we go.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57This is the Brannam Barum pottery vase.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59Designed by Frederick Braddon.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03I've got to start away here at £45. At 45.
0:36:03 > 0:36:07Do I see 50 anywhere? At 45. At 45.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Do I see 50? At 45 it is, then...
0:36:09 > 0:36:12Oh, surely? Come on!
0:36:12 > 0:36:1645 with me, then. No. That has to stay with me, ladies and gentlemen.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20They were sitting on their hands. Maybe the locals have got enough.
0:36:20 > 0:36:24You're probably right. We need to send it up the M5.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28Sometimes you can get more money for Troika in London or Newcastle
0:36:28 > 0:36:30than you can in Newlyn or St Ives.
0:36:30 > 0:36:35If I was one of these people in the crowd I might have stuck my hand up.
0:36:35 > 0:36:40Judith, I'm ever so sorry. Shall we send Will round with his tool kit?
0:36:40 > 0:36:42I'll build you a garden seat!
0:36:42 > 0:36:45I'm pretty handy with a hammer and nails!
0:36:45 > 0:36:49'Now, that's an offer you can't refuse!
0:36:49 > 0:36:54'At long last, it's time to see my favourite item go under the hammer.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57'It's that fantastic Cornish painting.'
0:36:57 > 0:37:01This is the one I have been waiting for. I absolutely love this.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05The Lamorna Birch oil. You saw what the auctioneer had to say.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08Sadly, Antonia can't be with us. She's not feeling well.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12I hope it goes at the top end so we put a smile on her face,
0:37:12 > 0:37:14and she gets well soon.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18And I hope you enjoy this moment when you're watching.
0:37:18 > 0:37:24Samuel John Lamorna Birch, the rocky coastal scene.
0:37:24 > 0:37:29I have to start this one away at £320. At 320.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32Do I see 350? 350. 380. 400.
0:37:32 > 0:37:37At 400. Now in the room at 400. 420 on the telephone. 450.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40- We've got a phone bid.- 480. 500.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44520. 550.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46580. 600.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49- This is great.- 620. 650.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54- The bid's still in the room at 650. - Top money for his work.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57At £650, then. Are you all sure?
0:37:57 > 0:38:01- Selling at 650... - I'm very pleased with that.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04The hammer's gone down. Antonia, enjoy this moment.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07That was good money. It was a lovely painting.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09It's gone!
0:38:13 > 0:38:16The auction has finished. It is all over for our owners.
0:38:16 > 0:38:21One minute the room was jam-packed, the next, everybody's vanished
0:38:21 > 0:38:26apart from the lucky ones, picking up their lots and going home very happy.
0:38:26 > 0:38:32We've had a mixed day, but I think everybody's enjoyed themselves and that is the main thing.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36If you've got any antiques you want to sell, we would love to see you.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38For now, from Somerset, it's goodbye.