Preston Flog It!


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Here in Lancashire it's so easy to indulge in the local delicacies,

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like the hotpot and world-famous cheeses.

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But Preston is also the birthplace of the teetotaller.

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So I can assure you we'll all be keeping a clear head on today's show.

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Welcome to Flog It!

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Formerly known as Priest Town,

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Preston is named after the monks who originally settled here,

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so it's quite appropriate that our venue for today

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is the magnificent church of St John's.

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And there's a healthy crowd of people here,

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all snaking their way around the steps.

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Our experts today are James Lewis and David Fletcher.

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And they are already on the case delivering verdicts.

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But right now it's time to get the doors open.

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-Are you ready to go inside?

-Yes!

-That's a big yes.

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Let's get them in, come on.

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You're the first in the queue, aren't you? What's your name?

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-Anthony.

-Anthony, well done.

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Today's show is a rollercoaster of emotions,

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with some priceless reactions from our owners.

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You will give me a heart attack!

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I'm amazed! I'm really amazed.

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But which of these items goes for over a grand?

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Is it this sparkling tea caddy?

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-You've got something...

-Very old.

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Quite nice and very old.

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These Oriental carvings.

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This is around 1900, this is slightly earlier.

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This is about 1880, 1890.

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Or this Royal Doulton figurine.

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This figure was only in production for two years

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and as such is a rarity, really.

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Everybody is now safely seated inside.

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I think it's about time we found some treasures, don't you? And that's down to our experts.

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It looks like James Lewis has spotted a real gem.

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Let's take a closer look at what he's looking at. He's over there.

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Joan, I have to say of all the things I was expecting to see here in Preston,

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a pair of Japanese watercolours wasn't really on my list.

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Wasn't it? Oh, right.

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What are they doing here, how have they found their way to Preston

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and what do you know about them?

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I was given them about 30 years ago by an elderly lady.

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So I've had them on my wall at home for a number of years.

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Then they got put to the back of the cupboard.

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Then the other day I was cleaning my cupboards out,

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I came across these two pictures and I thought,

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really, I've got to downsize now and I'll throw them out.

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I put them in a plastic bag by the dustbin last week.

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Then I thought, just check that name on the side of the picture.

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I checked on the internet and he seems as though he's quite well known.

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-So what have you found out about them?

-I found out that he was called Tadashi.

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Yes, Tadashi was his first name.

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I should think they were probably '40s, '50s.

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Looking at their style, this is something

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that would have been painted when Japanese art in the West

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was very out of fashion.

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But he hasn't done them for his own market in Japan

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because he's signed them T - for Tadashi - Nakayama,

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but he's signed them in the Western way.

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It would be interesting to know

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if maybe somebody in the Navy visited the Far East.

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Well, this lady who gave me these,

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she was a nurse and she travelled quite extensively.

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She probably worked over there as well.

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Whether she picked them up there and brought them back here,

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you know, I would imagine she did, really.

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When it comes to value,

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I reckon we should put an estimate of £100-£150 on them.

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They might make a shade more, they might make 180, 200.

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But I think that's a sensible figure.

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-My word, it's better than throwing them out, isn't it?

-Absolutely, yes.

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I've stepped outside now to the peace and quiet of the courtyard,

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to look at a very special item Evelyn has brought along.

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-I pulled you out of the crowd because you're holding a little mother-of-pearl tea caddy.

-Yes.

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-So how did you come by this?

-Well, my mother had it and she gave it to me. It was her aunt's.

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I've had it 40 years now.

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And is it something you're considering selling?

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Well, I didn't think it was worth anything, really.

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I haven't told you yet, have I?

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No, because the lid's broke and a lot of pearl's missing from it.

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Let's have a look. Yes, you can see this wonderful repetitive geometric pattern.

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This is, believe it or not, very late Georgian.

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It's pre-Victorian.

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-I'd put this at around 1830, 1835. You've got something...

-Very old.

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-Quite nice and very old, yes.

-And to think what I've been putting in it, Paul.

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It's been through the wars! What have you put in it anyway?

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-What have you been putting in it?

-Old keys.

-Have you?

-Hair grips.

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-Hair grips, elastic bands, drawing pins.

-Yes, everything!

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-We all need boxes like that, don't we?

-We do.

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-Do you know why there are two compartments?

-No, not really.

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-One's for green tea and one's for black tea.

-Right.

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And they're called tea caddies

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because of the weight of measure tea was sold in.

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Originally it's a Malay word for caddy. Kati.

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-Oh, very good.

-Of course it was very valuable in its day.

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That's why tea caddies always had a lock on.

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-So the servants couldn't pinch it when you went to bed.

-That's very good.

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That's true, honestly.

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Until it became more affordable, when everybody was drinking tea.

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But originally, in the 17th century, it was always the upper echelons,

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the Kings and Queens, and people at Royal Court.

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-All the posh people.

-All the posh people, yeah.

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Now, are you sure you've got all the bits?

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Those are all that I've got left of it. I'm sorry.

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OK, because this is a restoration project.

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And you know what this is made of, mother-of-pearl?

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This is seashell, literally ground down and glued on.

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-And this is a pine carcass.

-But it does shine, doesn't it?

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-That's why it's known as mother-of-pearl.

-Beautiful.

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I think you could safely put this into auction

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with a value of around about £80-120.

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Really? So much?

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But we will put a reserve on at £60 fixed, if that's OK with you.

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-Happy to sell it?

-Yes.

-OK, well, I'll see you in the auction room.

-Thank you.

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Back inside, the valuation day is in full swing.

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David's been lured by Catherine and Rachel's gold.

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-And when did you inherit it?

-I inherited it about 10 years ago.

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My great-grandad's brother gave it to his wife and she made a bracelet.

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-The chain was actually a watch chain.

-Yes, that's interesting.

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You can imagine that being worn as a watch chain.

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I wouldn't actually wear it myself.

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So we never got it out, which is a shame.

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Sometimes people say, oh, it's got to be worth more than its melt value,

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and I think generally speaking that's true.

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Particularly in the case of an item like this, which is wearable.

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So there is a value over and above its melt value.

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This, after it's been bought will be sold on by a dealer, if he buys it,

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or if it's bought by a private person, they will keep it to wear.

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And the chain itself weighs 45 grams, so at today's prices,

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that's worth about £360.

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-OK.

-And we have in addition to that the two coins.

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Now, this is a sovereign, a gold sovereign, dated 1914.

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And this is a South African gold coin,

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and they will each be worth about £180.

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Now, these won't be hallmarked, but the chain of course is,

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and the hallmarks tell us that it's nine carat.

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So that's the little package.

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Now, given the component prices we've talked about,

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I would suggest that we sold it with an estimate of £600-800,

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which is realistic, competitive,

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and I'm confident that we'll sell it at that sort of figure.

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-And the reserve should be £600. OK?

-Yeah, that's great.

-Good.

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Well, there you are. Our first three items found, and we're ready to go to auction.

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Don't go away. This is where it gets exciting.

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Let's put those valuations to the test.

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While we make our way over there, here's a recap to jog your memory of everything going under the hammer.

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Thank goodness Joan thought twice about throwing away

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these watercolours, which James valued at £100-150.

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Though damaged, Evelyn's tea caddy is still a collector's item,

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and worth £80-120.

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And it's time to cash in on the inheritance

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while gold prices are still high.

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David's valued the lot at £600-800.

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Our sale today comes from Knutsford, a town steeped in history.

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And our auction is taking place

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in this wonderful red brick Victorian building, which was previously a school.

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Today, it's the sale room courtesy of Frank Marshall.

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Let's go inside and catch up with our owners, and have a quick chat to Nick Hall,

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the man with all the local knowledge, the man with the gavel. See you inside.

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The sellers' commission here is 15%, including VAT.

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Auctioneer Nick Hall has more to reveal about these paintings.

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James believes they're by the Japanese artist Tadashi Nakayama.

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Well, he was close. It's actually Takashi Nakayama.

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-Right, OK.

-One letter difference, but two completely different artists.

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-One a lot earlier?

-Yes.

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Now, Takashi was working slightly earlier than Tadashi.

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Late 19th into the early 20th century,

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rather than from the early into the middle 20th century.

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And Tadashi's work is much more contemporary and vibrant,

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a little bit like the modern British movement. This is more traditional.

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OK, so does this put a little more value onto it?

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Well, there's another oddity.

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Actually, Tadashi, that James said it was, makes more money,

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and Takashi that this is actually by, makes less money.

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-But the estimate is bang on.

-I hope you're following this at home!

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This is very confusing.

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But he didn't have a lot to go by, because it is only signed T.

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Yes, we went through all the initials

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and surnames of this Japanese artist.

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And we found there were several similar-sounding ones.

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And it is just then a case of having the time and diligence to trawl through

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and to find examples, check signatures

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so you know you've got the right name before you go to print.

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Has there been much interest? That's what we want to know.

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After all that, not a lot.

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I'll break the news to James a bit later.

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But first, let's catch up with Evelyn, who's joined by her daughter-in-law, Alison.

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What have you been up to since I last saw you?

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-Much the usual things.

-What's the usual?

-You've been on holiday.

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-Holiday? Where have you been?

-Only to Blackpool.

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-Hey, that's only down the road, isn't it?

-It is!

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You don't go far, do you?

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The last time I was in Blackpool, I was walking along the seafront,

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and you're not going to believe this,

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but there were something like about a hundred Elvis Presleys walking towards me.

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I'm not surprised.

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In all of their gear, because there was an Elvis convention going on.

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You could have seen worse.

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# I'm all shook up... #

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Look, fingers crossed, OK?

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Let's hope the bidders are as enthusiastic as we are about this.

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I'm looking forward to it.

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It's going under the hammer right now. Here we go.

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Lot number 51 is the Victorian chequered mother-of-pearl

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mounted rectangular two-division tea caddy.

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A pretty lot, where are we going to go? Not too dear, 80 for it?

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£80 anywhere? Somewhere? Where's 80? 70? 60, bid me, surely.

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Oh, we're going wrong way.

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Have a look at the screen. There we go. 60 only, who will start me?

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Where's 60? We've got to see a hand up somewhere. 60.

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And five online, we're up and running. 70, they're awake at last.

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-Come on, 75. 75, 80. At £80.

-Thank goodness for that.

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Steadily, slowly, 85. All bids online at the moment. At £85.

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At 85, bidders online. Nothing in the room?

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It's online at 85, 90 at £90. 95.

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Slowly but surely, we're getting there. Round it up for me?

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Come on, it's 95 online. Make a round figure, one more.

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There's 95 bid online, 95 it is, nothing in the room.

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Going online, I'm selling if you're sure at 95. Yours online, thank you.

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-I'm going to take that. That was OK.

-Thank you very much.

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I felt a little bit frightened.

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When you stick your neck on the block,

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and you say, yes, madam, it's going to be 80-120 or whatever,

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and it's always struggling, you feel really as if you've let you down.

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-Anyway, you've not.

-I haven't, no, thank goodness.

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-I got it right for once.

-You thought it wasn't going to sell at all.

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I did. In fact, I've left a place for it to go back.

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Oh, y'Evelyn of little faith. Now it's the case of mistaken identity.

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Going under the hammer right now,

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two Japanese watercolours by Takashi - see? Here we go.

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We got it right, didn't we? The auctioneer put us right.

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James, unfortunately you failed on the Christian name,

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but I don't blame you - it is confusing.

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-What did I say?

-Tadashi.

-That's right.

-And what is it?

-Takashi.

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-Oh, it was close!

-Very close. I wouldn't have known, either.

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But the good news is, it hasn't affected the value.

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Good, good, I hope not.

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But you have altered the value, because we had a fixed reserve at £100,

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and you had a chat to the auctioneer before the sale.

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Well, I just thought I really don't want to take them home this time.

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Because I have looked at them a long time,

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and I'm ready to let them go.

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-OK.

-Ta-who?

-Takashi.

-Well, hopefully you'll be kashi-ing it in later.

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-Sorry, awful.

-Hey, look, good luck. Good luck.

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A touch of the Orient has come to Cheshire.

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Let's find out what they think,

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because it's down to this lot here. Here we go.

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Lot number 460.

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A nice little pair of Japanese watercolours.

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-They are by TaKAshi Nakayama.

-Oh, rub it in!

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Where are we going to go? £100 for them? 80? 60?

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-Nice pair of signed original Japanese watercolours.

-See?

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-They would have made it if they were Tadashi.

-50? Someone, now.

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A nice period pair of original signed Japanese watercolours.

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-Where is £50? Thank you. 55.

-We're in!

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60 seated. Five, Sir? 65. At £65.

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At 65, bidding, madam? 70.

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-It's a pair, not just one. 65 against you.

-Go on!

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Pretty things. I've got 65, gent standing. Any advance?

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Any further bids? £65. All done, if you're sure. Selling at 65.

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-£65.

-Not too bad.

-Well, thank goodness you reduced the reserve.

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-We got it away.

-We did, thank you. I didn't want to take them back.

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What a bargain. They are an authentic touch of the orient.

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Next, it's Grandad's gold. You were both at the valuation day.

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You're here today. But you're earning all the money. You're doing the hard work.

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I know you're splitting it all up between you.

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-We might not tell them how much we get!

-You can't do that!

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Good luck, OK? This is it.

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Lot 667 is the Victorian nine carat rose gold curb link Albert chain.

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-We've got over 60 grams of gold there.

-It's a lot.

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There's a lot of weight there.

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With interest, I can come straight in and start the bidding at £650.

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-650, I have.

-I was worrying unnecessarily!

-660, 680, 700.

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720, 740, 760, 780, 800, 820, 840, 860, 880. 900, 920.

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-That's good.

-£920 of bids with me. On commission now. At 920.

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Any further bids? Nothing online. 920 I have, 920 I sell.

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-920.

-Yes! That was short and sweet. Somebody was really after that.

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-£920. Happy?

-Yeah.

-Got to be happy!

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What are you going to do with your share?

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I'm studying natural horsemanship. So I'm helping spend it toward the qualification.

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Brilliant. And what about you?

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-I'm going to spend it on some music, because I compose music.

-Do you?

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-Do you play keyboards?

-Piano.

-Piano, OK.

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I'm a bit of a half glass empty man. I must try and be more optimistic.

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That's the end of our first visit to the auction room today.

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We are coming back later on in the programme, so don't go away.

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After all this excitement, I need some fresh air.

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There's nothing like a walk in the woods.

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Now, this is where my passion for woodwork

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and timber craftsmanship comes from, a walk through a small

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coppice or a wood amongst trees in their living, organic form.

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But let's face it. Where would we be without wood?

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Not only has it inspired craftsmen throughout history

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to construct magnificent pieces of furniture,

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but also fine buildings, bridges and ships.

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But if you want my opinion,

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it is the mighty oak tree that has put the Great in Britain.

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It's built this country.

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And here in Cheshire, the architects of the 15th century took it one stage further.

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Not only did they construct fine timber-framed buildings,

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but they decorated them internally and externally with timber elements

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in a style that's become very, very familiar.

0:18:220:18:26

And here is a wonderful example.

0:18:260:18:29

Bramall Hall in Cheshire is one of our finest

0:18:300:18:34

black and white buildings.

0:18:340:18:35

It's a style that shouts Tudor,

0:18:350:18:38

though the heart of the building dates from the 14th century.

0:18:380:18:41

What we see today is a mixture of additions

0:18:410:18:44

and alterations spanning seven centuries.

0:18:440:18:48

Each aspect presents a different stage in its evolution.

0:18:480:18:51

Now, from this elevation, there is evidence of several different

0:18:530:18:56

periods of history, shown through architecture.

0:18:560:18:59

Looking up there, the oriel window, that dates back to the 1400s,

0:18:590:19:02

a really important time for architecture.

0:19:020:19:04

Here, 16th century, these two bay windows,

0:19:040:19:07

leaded glass everywhere, that shows incredible wealth.

0:19:070:19:11

But to top it off, up there, the gable ends, look at that.

0:19:110:19:14

In a small coronet, like a crown.

0:19:140:19:16

That is so over the top, that's showing off, it says, yes, 19th century.

0:19:160:19:20

And moving around here, this wing was renovated in the 20th century.

0:19:200:19:25

Sympathetically done,

0:19:250:19:26

matching in with the theme of the black and white exterior.

0:19:260:19:31

Now, up there is a rather interesting carving

0:19:310:19:34

which you might miss, so I will point it out.

0:19:340:19:36

An angel with outstretched wings.

0:19:360:19:38

And she's holding a shield with a single lion.

0:19:380:19:41

That's the coat of arms for the De Bromale family, the original owners of the hall.

0:19:410:19:45

But if you notice, the angel is standing on a carved man's head with a large beard.

0:19:450:19:49

Coming out of his mouth are sprigs of oak leaves. Beautifully carved.

0:19:490:19:55

That symbolises the Green Man, the May King,

0:19:550:19:58

which is the medieval festival of spring, rebirth and vitality.

0:19:580:20:02

Now, this is the original front door, constructed of oak,

0:20:130:20:16

sawn and quartered to three inches thick, that is incredibly heavy.

0:20:160:20:20

But if you look carefully, you can see a door within a door.

0:20:200:20:23

Now, this was used at night.

0:20:230:20:26

The purpose being, if the house was being attacked,

0:20:260:20:29

somebody was trying to force an entry, the person on the inside,

0:20:290:20:32

let me just show you here, was at an advantage, because

0:20:320:20:36

if you were attacking and had a sword, you were drawing it to strike

0:20:360:20:40

somebody, you were at disadvantage, because you couldn't get your sword through.

0:20:400:20:44

So, from the inside, somebody defending the property could thrust away.

0:20:440:20:48

They had the upper hand.

0:20:480:20:50

And here we are in the medieval great hall,

0:20:510:20:54

which is the oldest part of house, dates back to the 14th century.

0:20:540:20:59

This is where all the daily living would have taken place.

0:20:590:21:03

It was the social heartbeat of the house.

0:21:030:21:05

In 1370, Alice De Bromale married John Davenport,

0:21:050:21:10

and their descendants owned Bramall for the next five centuries.

0:21:100:21:15

The family didn't just make things in wood.

0:21:150:21:17

They also created stone carvings to keep people out of their woods.

0:21:170:21:22

Now, the Davenports had a rather gruesome family crest,

0:21:250:21:28

and it's the felon's head.

0:21:280:21:30

These chaps, criminals with ropes around their necks.

0:21:300:21:34

It serves as a reminder of the family's wealth and power throughout the Middle Ages.

0:21:340:21:39

Now, these stone heads were originally sat on the stone pillars

0:21:390:21:42

of the main gate at the front of the house

0:21:420:21:44

to ward off any would-be poachers or people with evil intentions

0:21:440:21:49

to stay away, or else.

0:21:490:21:52

I think the message is quite clear, don't you?

0:21:520:21:55

This is the great chamber where all the entertainment took place.

0:22:020:22:06

These remarkable wall paintings date from the early 1500s.

0:22:060:22:11

And it's almost like a tapestry.

0:22:110:22:13

The artists have painted directly onto the oak. Isn't it just marvellous?

0:22:130:22:19

And here to tell me a little more about it and what it means

0:22:190:22:22

is one of the guides here, Pat McCormick.

0:22:220:22:24

-Hello.

-How do you do?

-What a fascinating place to work.

0:22:240:22:27

-It's a wonderful place.

-What do some of the images mean?

0:22:270:22:31

Well, we believe this image demonstrates some of the folklore images that we have in the paintings,

0:22:310:22:36

and if you look at it, you'll see it's a white horse, but in fact it's got a raven's head.

0:22:360:22:41

-Oh, so it has.

-And seated is a little figure with wings.

0:22:410:22:44

We don't know where the image originated,

0:22:450:22:48

but quite a lot of our visitors like to link it

0:22:480:22:51

to the nursery rhyme Ride A Cock Horse To Banbury Cross,

0:22:510:22:55

because there is a cross at the front.

0:22:550:22:58

Now, this is a bit of fun. What's going on here?

0:22:580:23:00

Well, we believe it's a bit of a visual joke,

0:23:000:23:02

because it's a painting of a boar hunt.

0:23:020:23:05

The Davenport men would have done a lot of boar hunting in the forests around here,

0:23:050:23:10

and the painter has interpreted the boar hunt

0:23:100:23:13

with the hunter, if you look, on the ground,

0:23:130:23:18

mounted by two enormous fierce boars. So it would have been...

0:23:180:23:22

On top of him, so it's been turned around, hasn't it?

0:23:220:23:25

-It's been turned around.

-The hunter has become the hunted.

-Indeed.

0:23:250:23:29

Look at this roof, as well. I mean, the craftsmen really had an understanding

0:23:290:23:34

of how to work with wood in construction.

0:23:340:23:37

These quatrefoils everywhere, lovely hammered beams.

0:23:370:23:41

Very, very nice.

0:23:410:23:43

And as you were spinning around and dancing and enjoying yourselves,

0:23:430:23:46

you'd look up and notice all of this decoration, wouldn't you?

0:23:460:23:51

You can see we have the image here of a 16th century woman

0:23:520:23:56

and man who are all about the music and dance in the hall.

0:23:560:24:01

-In full costume.

-In full costume, with an instrument we think is a mandolin

0:24:010:24:05

of some description, and the woman is reading from a musical score.

0:24:050:24:09

Isn't that lovely? Marvellous, marvellous.

0:24:090:24:11

-Thank you for showing me around.

-It's my pleasure.

0:24:110:24:14

Unbelievably, the paintings were later covered by panelling,

0:24:140:24:19

which is probably the reason why they've survived so well.

0:24:190:24:23

But there's more. Follow me.

0:24:230:24:25

I am in the roof space right now, well behind the scenes.

0:24:290:24:32

The general public do not come here,

0:24:320:24:35

and like all good historic houses, there are bats in the belfry.

0:24:350:24:38

I haven't seen any yet, but there is evidence of bat droppings everywhere.

0:24:380:24:42

Originally, from the chapel, you'd have been able to look up

0:24:420:24:46

and see this wonderful construction.

0:24:460:24:49

So this whole space would have been decorated.

0:24:490:24:51

Wonderful, bright, vivid colours, hues of reds, blues and golds,

0:24:510:24:55

so that as you look up, you look up from the chapel and you say,

0:24:550:24:58

yes, there really was a God, wasn't there?

0:24:580:25:01

This is incredible. I am very lucky to be up here. And so are the bats!

0:25:070:25:12

I hope they appreciate it.

0:25:120:25:14

Taking a walk through Bramall Hall tells the tale of how

0:25:220:25:26

craftsmen who used wood over the years in so many different ways

0:25:260:25:29

and styles, and with 700 years of history behind it,

0:25:290:25:33

it can only become an even more fascinating experience in the years to come.

0:25:330:25:38

Welcome back to our valuation day, and to St John's Minster.

0:25:500:25:54

Let's now catch up with our experts and see what else they can find.

0:25:540:25:58

And first up, it's James.

0:25:580:26:02

Only somebody called Bruce could possibly

0:26:020:26:06

bring in a pair of boomerangs.

0:26:060:26:08

-Don't tell me your wife is Sheila as well?

-No, unfortunately!

0:26:090:26:13

These are lovely. Tell me their story.

0:26:130:26:16

My brother was in Australia, based at Woomera rocket range.

0:26:160:26:21

Where did you say? He was working on a rocket range?

0:26:210:26:24

-Woomera rocket range. They used to test the ballistic missile rockets there.

-OK.

0:26:240:26:30

-That was in the REME.

-In where?

-The REME.

0:26:300:26:33

The Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

0:26:330:26:36

Right, we're learning something today.

0:26:360:26:39

And what he did, I don't know. But he was there for quite a few years.

0:26:390:26:43

Unfortunately, he had an accident on New Year's Day - I can't

0:26:430:26:47

remember the year - and died, and these were part of his possessions that came back to UK.

0:26:470:26:53

-So approximately when was this?

-The very early '50s.

-The early '50s, OK.

0:26:530:26:59

So, we know that they're 60 years old at least.

0:26:590:27:02

The thing with tribal art is it's very, very difficult to age

0:27:020:27:06

unless you're an absolute specialist.

0:27:060:27:09

Everybody associates boomerangs with Australia.

0:27:090:27:13

However, what most people don't realise is they were actually

0:27:130:27:18

made throughout the world at some point.

0:27:180:27:20

You actually get Indian boomerangs,

0:27:200:27:22

you get the Native Americans with boomerangs.

0:27:220:27:25

You also get the Egyptians using boomerangs.

0:27:250:27:28

And one of the things discovered in Tutankhamen's tomb was a collection of boomerangs.

0:27:280:27:33

And some of them are made in hardwood like these,

0:27:340:27:37

some of them in bone and some of them in ivory.

0:27:370:27:41

Some were designed for killing animals.

0:27:410:27:43

Some were designed as scarers, so what they would do,

0:27:430:27:47

they would throw the boomerang over the grass plains,

0:27:470:27:51

and the little birds would think, it's a bird of prey,

0:27:510:27:55

they would zoom off in the opposite direction, and they would

0:27:550:27:58

raise a net and catch all the birds fleeing from the boomerang.

0:27:580:28:03

But also, they were used in hand-to-hand combat, as well.

0:28:030:28:06

Now, the tell-tale signs on here, a picture of an emu.

0:28:060:28:11

That almost looks like a whale, doesn't it? Strange, really.

0:28:110:28:16

This one, much more geometrical, very stylised.

0:28:160:28:20

If you turn it over, it's plain on the other side.

0:28:220:28:25

Now, I would think that if that was designed as a true

0:28:250:28:29

piece of tribal art, it would be carved on both sides.

0:28:290:28:33

But I've been wrong in the past.

0:28:330:28:34

My feeling is these are probably made for the tourist market, but early.

0:28:340:28:40

Now, there is a massive market for any form of Aboriginal art,

0:28:420:28:46

even modern stuff, in Australia.

0:28:460:28:48

So when it comes to value, that has got to be worth £150, in my opinion.

0:28:480:28:55

And that has got to be worth another 50-70, at least.

0:28:550:28:59

If these are period, they could make considerably more than that.

0:28:590:29:03

-You've given me a heart attack!

-So, these are very interesting indeed.

0:29:030:29:08

From boomerangs to Madonnas.

0:29:120:29:14

It's appropriate that you should have brought a Madonna and child in today

0:29:170:29:21

as we're sitting in this wonderful minster.

0:29:210:29:24

-Yes.

-I think she's beautiful. Just tell me what you know.

0:29:240:29:29

Well, my mum was brought up by my nana and four sisters.

0:29:290:29:33

I believe Auntie Kate, she collected a lot of items,

0:29:340:29:38

and we think that that's one of them.

0:29:380:29:41

It was made in about 1950 by the Royal Doulton factory.

0:29:410:29:46

And we know that this figure was only in production for two years, from 1949 to 1951.

0:29:460:29:52

And as such, she's a rarity, really.

0:29:530:29:57

We'll just have a look underneath at the mark,

0:29:570:29:59

which really tells us so much, and tells us all we need to know.

0:29:590:30:04

The printed mark there tells us it was made in the Royal Doulton factory,

0:30:040:30:08

and beneath that, there is the title, the Madonna of the Square.

0:30:080:30:12

And although she looks like the Madonna, and she could easily be

0:30:130:30:18

holding the infant Christ, I think she's probably a lavender seller.

0:30:180:30:24

-Oh!

-And that, I think, brings us back

0:30:240:30:27

-to the fact that she is called the Madonna of the Square.

-Right.

0:30:270:30:31

So, she has this dignity which you'd associate with the Virgin Mary,

0:30:310:30:36

but also, there is something everyday about her, isn't there?

0:30:360:30:39

-Yes, there's something natural.

-Exactly.

0:30:390:30:42

It comes in various colourways. Green I think is amongst the rarest.

0:30:420:30:46

Um...And she was modelled by one of Royal Doulton's best models,

0:30:460:30:53

a lady called Phoebe Stabler.

0:30:530:30:56

So that adds to her value, as well.

0:30:560:30:58

-You're obviously not going to miss her.

-No, I do like her. She's really pretty.

0:30:580:31:03

But she is lying about the house,

0:31:030:31:05

and we've four grandchildren visiting regularly,

0:31:050:31:08

and I would be very worried that she might get broken.

0:31:080:31:12

OK. Normally, a Doulton figure of this type might make

0:31:120:31:17

between £20 and £50, but because she is so uncommon,

0:31:170:31:20

I think we're going to get a figure of between £200-300 for her.

0:31:200:31:25

-Is that OK?

-Yes, that is!

0:31:250:31:27

I suggest we put a reserve at the bottom end of the estimate, £200.

0:31:280:31:32

-OK.

-I gather you can't come to the auction, is that right?

0:31:320:31:38

It's our ruby wedding, and we're going to Portugal.

0:31:380:31:41

Unfortunately, we can't change it. But my son...

0:31:410:31:46

my husband's rung my son, and he said he would be happy to come along.

0:31:460:31:51

He knows the piece.

0:31:510:31:54

And he's the lad who has the grandchildren who might break it.

0:31:540:31:57

Archie and Eilish, yes.

0:31:570:31:59

-How do you come by these?

-They were left to my husband.

0:32:060:32:09

Did he know somebody that was in the hunt?

0:32:090:32:12

-Or did he take part in the hunt?

-No, not really. He's there.

-Oh, hello!

0:32:120:32:16

-Separated by a Victorian sort of...

-She usually talks to me like that.

0:32:160:32:21

It's the best thing that's happened to us today.

0:32:210:32:23

What are we doing? Where are we? I'll just say trees.

0:32:230:32:28

OK, now, one's Chinese, one's Japanese. Which is which?

0:32:280:32:33

-I haven't a clue.

-Have a guess.

-That's Chinese.

-Oh, wrong way!

0:32:340:32:38

You had a 50-50 chance. You should have phoned a friend. You're wrong.

0:32:380:32:41

That's the Japanese, that the Chinese.

0:32:410:32:44

Now, what's a Japanese figure and a Chinese plaque doing in your family?

0:32:440:32:49

Well, my mum looked after a neighbour,

0:32:490:32:52

and my mum was given it as a gift from the neighbour, so he gave it

0:32:520:32:56

to us and then obviously we've kept it for this long.

0:32:560:32:59

-Right, and they both came from the same place?

-Yes.

0:32:590:33:04

This is known as a Japanese okimono, and an okimono is basically

0:33:040:33:09

a carving of a certain size normally made out of one section of ivory,

0:33:090:33:15

and in the Meiji period, which is about 1900, 1910, when this was formed,

0:33:150:33:21

there was a very different attitude to animal welfare.

0:33:210:33:26

And if I ever saw a piece of modern ivory trying to be sold, I wouldn't sell it.

0:33:260:33:32

But these things were done in times gone by, in both Japan and China.

0:33:320:33:37

This is around 1900, this is slightly earlier. This is about 1880, 1890.

0:33:370:33:45

And we've got a hard padauk wood stand.

0:33:450:33:50

Padauk wood is rosewood family.

0:33:500:33:52

We see figures and attendants in formal gardens with these

0:33:520:33:56

building structures and very stylised trees.

0:33:560:34:02

So this is an object just to be looked at

0:34:020:34:04

and enjoyed for its artistic merit rather than ever to be used.

0:34:040:34:07

We've got a tiny chip out of it on the bottom,

0:34:070:34:09

but other than that, it's in relatively good condition.

0:34:090:34:13

So, Japanese Meiji period ivory. That's going to be worth £80-120.

0:34:130:34:19

Something like that. What do you think to the Chinese panel?

0:34:190:34:22

-Would you be happy at £100-150?

-Yeah.

-Would you?

0:34:220:34:27

I think you'd be very silly to be happy with that. I think it is worth a bit more.

0:34:270:34:32

-How about 200-300?

-Yes, I'd be happy with that, as well.

0:34:320:34:35

Is that all right? Good. I reckon 300-500 is more to the mark.

0:34:350:34:39

-Brilliant.

-I think It'll do really well.

0:34:390:34:42

And at the moment, the Chinese market is so buoyant,

0:34:420:34:47

you can just see it racing away.

0:34:470:34:49

That is a great thing.

0:34:490:34:51

We have had a fabulous day here at St John's Minster,

0:34:570:35:00

but sadly, it is time to say goodbye to Preston

0:35:000:35:03

and all the marvellous people that turned up

0:35:030:35:05

as we head to the auction room for the last time and hopefully make a few dreams come true.

0:35:050:35:09

And here's a quick recap of all the items that we're putting under the hammer.

0:35:090:35:13

Will Brucie's brother's boomerangs be returning home

0:35:130:35:18

at James's estimate of £150-250?

0:35:180:35:21

This Madonna's far too valuable to risk

0:35:220:35:25

when the grandkids come to stay.

0:35:250:35:27

David's valued her at £200-300.

0:35:270:35:30

And James think the market is just right for these oriental carvings.

0:35:300:35:35

Split into two separate lots, he's valued the figure at £80-120

0:35:350:35:38

and the plaque at £300-500.

0:35:380:35:43

We're back at Frank Marshall's in Knutsford,

0:35:460:35:49

with Nick Hall taking today's auction.

0:35:490:35:52

Now, Bruce's indigenous artefacts.

0:35:520:35:55

-# Your boomerang won't come back?

-# My boomerang won't come back... #

0:35:550:35:59

It's great to see you, Bruce, it really is.

0:35:590:36:01

-Who have you brought along there?

-This is my son, Zachary.

-Hello.

0:36:010:36:05

I have got to ask this question, and I expect you're thinking it as well.

0:36:050:36:08

-Did you ever throw these?

-No, I didn't.

-Oh, you missed out!

0:36:080:36:12

You should have gone to a park and had a throw. Did you?

0:36:120:36:15

-No, I've never thrown them.

-Do you know, I would have done that.

0:36:150:36:18

I would have tried them. Zach can enjoy the money, can't he?

0:36:180:36:23

-Well, Dad can.

-Oh, it'll go on him.

0:36:230:36:25

-A round of golf or two, and that'll be it.

-You play golf, do you?

0:36:250:36:29

-We do, yes.

-What's your handicap, then?

-Golf!

0:36:290:36:32

-Spoils a good walk, doesn't it?

-No!

0:36:340:36:37

It just makes a good walk better.

0:36:370:36:39

Hey, listen, let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?

0:36:390:36:42

Because at the end of the day, it is down to this lot and a few people on the phone and online.

0:36:420:36:47

It's going under the hammer.

0:36:470:36:49

Lot 165, the two South Australia 1940s boomerangs.

0:36:490:36:55

I can come in with a bidding, I have got commission interest,

0:36:550:36:59

and I can come in straight at 180.

0:36:590:37:02

-At 180 with me now.

-Yes!

-200, 210, 220, 230, 240.

0:37:020:37:09

-There is someone bidding in the room.

-250, new bidder. 260, 270 280.

0:37:090:37:16

290, 300, 310. 320. 320 with me. 320 now. Are you sure? I have got £320.

0:37:160:37:23

Nothing online? The bid is with me at 320. Bidding on the phone?

0:37:230:37:27

320 it is. Out at the back, but it's on the book at 320.

0:37:270:37:33

All done, if you like. I am selling for sure at £320. They're sold, 320.

0:37:330:37:38

-Happy?

-Excellent.

-You're thinking pound notes, now, aren't you, Zach?

0:37:380:37:44

He's thinking rounds of golf.

0:37:440:37:47

John and Colette's son Andrew is here to oversee the Madonna.

0:37:480:37:51

-Did you grow up as a young lad looking at this figurine?

-It's been in our family for 30 years.

0:37:540:37:59

It was passed down from a great-great-aunt of my mum's.

0:37:590:38:02

Unfortunately, she's got nowhere to store it that's safe.

0:38:020:38:05

I've got children that are running round the house, and she's scared of it getting smashed.

0:38:050:38:10

-How old are your children?

-Three and one.

-A dangerous age.

-Absolutely.

0:38:100:38:13

Fingers crossed. You never know what's going to happen. This is an auction. Here we go.

0:38:130:38:18

Lot 329, the Royal Doulton figure, the Madonna of the Square.

0:38:180:38:23

Who will bid me 150 to get the ball rolling? 150.

0:38:230:38:25

Thank you, sir, 150 seated. Any advance on 150 now? 150, 160.

0:38:260:38:30

160, now. A rare figure, this one. 170.

0:38:300:38:33

It only had two years production. Are you still in? 180. 190 now.

0:38:330:38:38

At 190. At 190 seated, still in, sir?

0:38:380:38:41

For the sake of another tenner, don't lose it. 190.

0:38:410:38:45

I have got 195 on the book against you, sir. Going 200? 200 seated.

0:38:450:38:49

That gent seated at £200, third row. Any advance on £200? Nothing online.

0:38:490:38:54

With you, sir, at 210. At 210 is the bid. In the room, standing, 210.

0:38:540:39:00

Are you sure? At 210, all done? Yours at 210.

0:39:000:39:05

-Oh, that was close!

-Who said being an auctioneer was easy?

0:39:050:39:08

-A knife edge, that one.

-They'll be happy with that.

0:39:080:39:11

-I'm sure. It was within the estimate, so great. Let them know, won't you?

-Thank you.

0:39:110:39:15

Now, up next, the Oriental carvings,

0:39:160:39:18

and the first to go under the hammer is the Japanese ivory figure.

0:39:180:39:22

-It's good to see you. Who's this?

-This is my sister.

-What's your name?

0:39:240:39:29

-Lisa.

-Lisa, how do you do? Right, OK, this is good.

0:39:290:39:33

So, family heirlooms. These were Mother's.

0:39:330:39:36

-What you do for a living?

-I'm just at home with my children at the minute, a housewife.

0:39:360:39:40

That's a full-time job. That's hard work. How many kids have you got?

0:39:400:39:43

-Four.

-That's hard work. That IS hard work. I wouldn't want four children.

0:39:430:39:48

-You must be exhausted.

-I get by. You have to.

-How about you?

0:39:480:39:52

-The same, I stay at home with my children.

-Not with four?

0:39:520:39:55

-No, three.

-Not far behind me.

-Are you going to have another?

0:39:550:39:59

-No, three's my lot.

-You've seen what four does, haven't you?

0:39:590:40:02

Put me off for life!

0:40:020:40:05

This sort of thing, ten years ago, would have been £50-80.

0:40:050:40:10

But the market is so buoyant, if they want it, they just keep going.

0:40:100:40:14

-And they do not stop.

-That's good, really good.

0:40:140:40:18

-That's what we want to hear.

-An unstoppable rollercoaster ride.

0:40:180:40:21

-You've just heard from James Lewis.

-If they want it. IF they want it.

0:40:210:40:25

Sit back, fasten the seatbelts. Here we go. Good luck.

0:40:250:40:29

Lot number 429 is the nicely carved ivory figure group.

0:40:290:40:35

£80 anywhere? Surely, where's 80? 70? £60 bid me. 60, 70, 80 online.

0:40:350:40:41

-Thank you.

-This is good.

-Getting there. At £80, the bid is online.

0:40:410:40:45

Someone to open. 85, 90. We can see this interest coming in at £90.

0:40:450:40:52

Five do I hear? 100. Still climbing slowly at £100.

0:40:520:40:55

Any further bid, any advance? 110 now. 120, still going at 120.

0:40:550:41:00

120 now. The bid is online at 120. 130, 140, keep going, don't slow up.

0:41:000:41:07

140, 150. The bid is online.

0:41:070:41:11

This is the one we thought just might struggle.

0:41:110:41:14

The bid is online at 170. At £170. 175, 180. 190, 200. At £200.

0:41:140:41:22

Still online at 200. Nothing in the room?

0:41:220:41:24

The phones are all out, so it is online at £200. All sure?

0:41:240:41:27

-Sold online for £200.

-That's fantastic.

0:41:270:41:31

Gosh, and here's the second one.

0:41:310:41:34

Lot 430. Chinese carved ivory plaque. Nicely carved little thing.

0:41:340:41:40

This plaque, I think this plaque is quite special, don't you?

0:41:400:41:43

-This is the goodie.

-£700 straight in on one of the phones. At £700.

0:41:430:41:49

Any advance on £700?

0:41:490:41:52

-Gosh.

-740, 60, 80, 800 online. 840, 860. I will come back. 900, 920.

0:41:520:41:59

940. £1,000, the bid on the phone at 1,000. And 50. 1,100, 1,150.

0:41:590:42:05

What's Mum going to say? I wish she was here.

0:42:050:42:08

1,300, 1,350,

0:42:080:42:10

1,400, 1,450. 1,500, 50, 1,600.

0:42:100:42:14

1,650, 1,700. 1,800. 1,850.

0:42:140:42:19

-1,900, 1,950, £2,000.

-Oh, my God!

0:42:190:42:22

2,100, 2,200. At £2,200. 2,300, we're not there yet!

0:42:220:42:28

2,400. 2,500.

0:42:280:42:30

-Still going. 2,600, 2,700.

-You'll have to catch me in a minute.

0:42:300:42:34

Come on, it's only money! 2,700, don't stop there. 2,700.

0:42:340:42:38

At 2,700, back on the phone, do I hear? It's 2,700 online.

0:42:380:42:44

No bidding in the room? 2,800, 2,900. 2,900. Come on, round it up.

0:42:440:42:50

Give me three. I've got 2,900.

0:42:500:42:52

£3,000! 3,100. 3,100, we're not there yet.

0:42:520:42:57

At 3,100. Or are we? It's at 3,100. At £3,100...

0:42:570:43:02

3,200, 3,300.

0:43:020:43:04

-I am amazed, you?

-It's carrying on. I can't believe it.

0:43:040:43:07

Very excited people in the far corner here. Congratulations to you.

0:43:070:43:12

It's £3,300 online. Direct from Shanghai at £3,300.

0:43:120:43:16

-He said in Shanghai, coming from Shanghai.

-We're out in the room.

0:43:160:43:20

The phones are all dead. £3,300 online. The hammer is up.

0:43:200:43:25

We're selling at 3,300. Sold!

0:43:250:43:27

£3,300!

0:43:270:43:29

APPLAUSE

0:43:290:43:32

-Oh, my gosh.

-Wow. £3,300.

-Oh, my goodness.

-I'm in shock.

0:43:340:43:40

-I'm lost for words. How about that?

-Absolutely over the moon.

0:43:400:43:45

Thank you so much for coming in. Well done, James.

0:43:450:43:49

I told you there was going to be a surprise, didn't I?

0:43:490:43:52

It doesn't get better than that. That's what auctions are about. Hope you've enjoyed the show.

0:43:520:43:57

We'll see you next time. Take care.

0:43:570:43:59

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:44:010:44:03

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0:44:030:44:05

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