0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today's programme comes from London.
0:00:05 > 0:00:10But there's no time to sightsee, because we're here to Flog It!
0:00:37 > 0:00:41Am I late for school? I don't think so, cos school is out.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44We have taken over Dulwich College.
0:00:44 > 0:00:45Hundreds of people have turned up
0:00:45 > 0:00:50laden with bags and boxes full of unwanted antiques and treasures.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54Somebody here today in this queue is going to go home with a lot of money.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57And the great thing is, we don't know who it is yet.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59It's our job to find it.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02And our team of experts are headed up by Kate Bateman and Michael Baggott.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06And if you're happy with your valuations, what are you going to do?
0:01:06 > 0:01:09- PEOPLE: Flog it! - Let's get on with the show.
0:01:15 > 0:01:20Coming up on today's programme, Michael comes over all funny.
0:01:20 > 0:01:25- I used it to store my neighbour's keys.- Oh, no!- Yes.- Oh, no!
0:01:25 > 0:01:27I don't think it's done it any harm.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31- And Kate's rather taken by one of our items.- Mwah!
0:01:32 > 0:01:34£40, 42, all done!
0:01:34 > 0:01:38I love the G force when the hammer comes down! Crack!
0:01:38 > 0:01:41And we have some cracking sales.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44The great hall is filling up as our London crowd pours in.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48So, without further ado, let's get our first valuation under way.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53Barbara's brought in an unusual brooch that's caught Kate's eye.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55- Barbara, hello.- Hi. - What have you brought me today?
0:01:55 > 0:01:59- It's a brooch that belonged to my mother.- OK.
0:01:59 > 0:02:04That my father bought, probably about 25 years ago in Malta
0:02:04 > 0:02:06as a present for her on holiday.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09And when Mum died, my sister and I
0:02:09 > 0:02:13separated what little jewellery she had and I ended up with that.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16I've never seen my mother wear it and I wouldn't wear it.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20It's quite big. It reminds me of a postage stamp, actually, in the design.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25But it's interesting you said Malta, because when I first saw it, I thought Italian, maybe.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29But now you've said Malta, that makes sense because they're known for this filigree work.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34It's marked 18 carat. So they bought really good quality.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38And obviously gold has risen quite a lot over the past few years.
0:02:38 > 0:02:44What it is, is on copper, and it's basically enamel.
0:02:44 > 0:02:50So it's painted glass, melted glass colour over the top of a sepia-toned print.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52And it's quite a nice thing. Do you like it?
0:02:52 > 0:02:55I think it's very pretty but totally impractical.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59It is very big - where would you put it? Lapel, somewhere...
0:02:59 > 0:03:01So it is a little out of fashion.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06- You thought it was about 20 years old?- Well, they bought it...
0:03:06 > 0:03:10I knew it was older than that, but they bought it about 20, 25 years ago.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13I think it's probably late Victorian, something like that.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Condition-wise, it's pretty good.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18There's a few little scrapes and scratches on the surface.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20But it's a lovely thing. If you're not going to wear it,
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- you want to sell it, put it through the sale?- Yes. Yes, yes.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- Would you split it with your sister? Or is it yours alone?- Absolutely.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31No, I would split it with my sister. My mother didn't have very much, and it's...
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Even if we get a meal out of it - a meal and a toast.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Hopefully, you might get a trip to Malta on a cheap flight.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41- I think £150 to £200.- That's fine.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43That the sort of figure you'd be happy with?
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- I'd certainly put a reserve on it. - Right, yes.- Maybe £100 reserve?
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- Is that the sort of thing you'd be happy with?- Yes, I think so, yes.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57It'll find its own level. I think there are going to be collectors out there for it.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59It's sort of got the feel of a Renaissance Old Master,
0:03:59 > 0:04:01especially with this.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- It's not a religious image, but it has that feel.- Yes, it does.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- Very classic.- Exactly, in profile.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13- It's quite striking, so I think it's unusual and should do all right in the sale.- Fine.- OK.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17- Reserve at 100, estimate 150-200. - Yes, that's fine.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19Hopefully it will do that and a bit better.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22And maybe get you a trip to Malta out of it.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- Fingers crossed.- OK.- Thanks for bringing it in.- Thank you.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Will it be a trip to Malta or more like Margate? Well, stay tuned to find out.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35Now, time for a quick history lesson with Sue and I.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38This school has had many luminaries over the years -
0:04:38 > 0:04:42- PG Wodehouse, Ernest Shackleton... - Raymond Chandler. - There we go. Nice one, Sue.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45But I think it's about time we revealed one more, don't you?
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Ready to light the room up? Take it away, Sue.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- Now, that's what you call a light bulb, isn't it?- Mm-hm. - What's its story?
0:04:54 > 0:04:57It hasn't come from a lighthouse, has it?
0:04:57 > 0:04:59It's come from the Zeiss projector
0:04:59 > 0:05:02which was in the London Planetarium 40 years ago.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07- How did you get hold of that? - Well, I worked there. - Was that your leaving present?- No.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11It just happened to be a used one that I said could I have.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- I used to do the talks on astronomy for the primary schools. - Oh, did you?- Yes.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Do you think the filament's gone? It's not working now.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23- I don't think I'd have been allowed to bring it home if it was working. I think it was defunct.- Probably right!
0:05:23 > 0:05:27- And you've had that all this time? - Yes, it was in the loft.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- Has it been on display? - No, just in the loft. I found it the other day and thought...
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- You'd bring it and put a smile on our faces.- It would be suitable to bring.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- Some leaving present, though. - It was rather spectacular.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40How would you put a value on something like that, I wonder?
0:05:40 > 0:05:44- Well, I don't know.- Have you any idea?- I think it would be of interest to someone.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- Is it something you're wanting to sell?- I could, yes.
0:05:47 > 0:05:48I wouldn't mind at all.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53Do you want to play a dangerous game? Cos I wouldn't know how to go about valuing something like that.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- No.- I think, as a curio, and as a decorator's item,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59you might get around £30-50.
0:05:59 > 0:06:05- That's what I thought.- Is that what you were thinking?- Yes. I think so.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08And I don't have any sentimental attachment to it.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11Well, we need a few more budding scientists in the auction room.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- Absolutely.- Look, I'm happy if you are.- Yes, yes, I think so.- £30-50.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19We'll put that in the auction with a reserve fixed at £30,
0:06:19 > 0:06:24cos let's face it, you're not desperate for £30 and I think it's sad to let that go for any less.
0:06:24 > 0:06:29- Yes.- But we'll find out what the auctioneer thinks and see if there's going to be any interest.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34- Do you want to put it back in the box? We'll get the couriers to take it away. We'll bubble wrap it.- OK.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39- It's insured!- Very good.- I wonder if it will make it in one piece!
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Well, fingers crossed.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47Over at the other side of the hall, Ruth's with magpie Michael and she's brought in some gold.
0:06:49 > 0:06:54Whenever I see a glint of gold, I am irresistibly drawn towards it.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58- This is a lovely chain and pendant. - It is.- Where did you get it from?
0:06:58 > 0:07:02- It was my father-in-law's.- Did he used to wear it as a watch chain?
0:07:02 > 0:07:03Yes, he did.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06So when was it taken apart, if you will, with the T-bar
0:07:06 > 0:07:08and turned into a necklace?
0:07:08 > 0:07:13I don't know. That was as I received it after he died.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Oh, oh. This little coin on the end,
0:07:16 > 0:07:21- that probably would have been the fob...- Oh, I see.- ..that would be suspended down.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25That would have been the one decorative element when you wore it as a watch chain.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29And if we turn it over, we can see Queen Victoria's jubilee head there.
0:07:29 > 0:07:30- Um...- Yes.
0:07:30 > 0:07:38- The chain itself is probably about 1900, 1910 in date.- Mm-hm.
0:07:40 > 0:07:45And the little pendant, that's 22-carat gold, being a sovereign.
0:07:45 > 0:07:46- The chain is 9-carat.- I see.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51- But it's a lovely, very commercial thing at the moment.- Yes.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Everybody wants gold, as we know.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Is it something you wear on a regular basis?
0:07:56 > 0:07:59No, I've never worn it. Actually, I found it only recently.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- I'd forgotten all about it. - Oh, good grief!
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Cos you are wearing some lovely jewellery today,
0:08:05 > 0:08:07but this doesn't appeal to you?
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- Not, no.- I've got my necklace that I always wear
0:08:10 > 0:08:14and my partner has bought me new ones, so...
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- So it really is the third wheel? - It is. Yes.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Have you had any idea as to the value of it?
0:08:21 > 0:08:26Not really, no. I know that gold's gone up, so I was hoping it was going to be...
0:08:26 > 0:08:30Well, fingers crossed it will be.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33I think, taking into account the condition of the half-sovereign,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35and that it's in a loose mount,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37so that can be taken out and appreciated as a coin,
0:08:37 > 0:08:42and the weight of the chain, I'd be happy to put £200-300 on it.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46- Lovely. - And a fixed reserve of £200.- Lovely.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48And hopefully, between now and the auction,
0:08:48 > 0:08:50the price of gold might keep going up!
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- Hope so.- Let's keep our fingers crossed.- Definitely.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56And let's hope there's a serious coin collector
0:08:56 > 0:08:59or someone with a waistcoat in desperate need of a chain at the auction.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- Lovely.- Thank you. - Thank you very much.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Before we take Ruth's gold and the other items off to auction,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10let's have a quick recap of why the "Flog It!" team have picked them.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13This enamel brooch won't be everybody's cup of tea
0:09:13 > 0:09:15but I'm sure there are collectors out there.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17I'm hoping a foreign buyer thinks this is great.
0:09:17 > 0:09:22Let's hope this lovely gold chain and sovereign, that the coin collectors,
0:09:22 > 0:09:26the bullion dealers and the jewellery dealers fight it out at the auction.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29The reason why I'm picking this to go through to auction is
0:09:29 > 0:09:31let's face it, it is a bit of fun.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33I've not seen anything like it before.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36Hopefully, it's going to light the sale room up.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41We've moved a few miles down the road to see those first few items go under the hammer.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45This is where we're selling all of our items today - the Greenwich Auction rooms.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49It was bright red on the outside, it's red on the inside!
0:09:49 > 0:09:51But I tell you what, it's a vast space.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55It's now filling full of bidders. Hopefully they're here to put their hands up
0:09:55 > 0:09:57- and buy our lots. - I'll be back when I get to 100!
0:10:00 > 0:10:04- 90 pound, 95, 100, and 10. - Our auctioneer today is Robert Dodd
0:10:04 > 0:10:11and the seller's commission rate here is 21.6 %, including VAT.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Robert has tweaked all our estimates to give our items
0:10:14 > 0:10:18the best chance under his hammer.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22We've got a packed auction room and Robert really is working the crowd.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24£300. Sold.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29Kicking off today's sale is that gold chain and half sovereign.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- Ruth, good luck.- Thanks. - It's her first auction, isn't it? - It is.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- Are you enjoying yourself so far? - Definitely.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41Let's hope you end the day with a smile on your face with two "yes we've sold thems".
0:10:41 > 0:10:46We've got a half sovereign and we've got the chain, they came as one lot, £200 to £300.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49The auctioneer has decided to put them into two lots. He thinks,
0:10:49 > 0:10:53someone will just want the sovereign and just want the chain and pay more,
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- which means you get a bit more money.- Hopefully.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58It's got to go, and it's got to do very well, I think.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05The Victorian 22 carat gold half sovereign
0:11:05 > 0:11:09in a gold pendant mount, circa 1892,
0:11:09 > 0:11:13and it's got to start with a bid with me on that half sovereign
0:11:13 > 0:11:17at £80. Looking for 85 on the half sovereign.
0:11:17 > 0:11:2185, 88, 95, 100. I'm out.
0:11:21 > 0:11:26Looking for 110. I've got 100. Are we all done? 110 there,
0:11:26 > 0:11:27I'll take 115.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31I have 110, and 115 I have, looking for 120.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33115 in front.
0:11:33 > 0:11:38120, I'll take. 125, if you would. Are we all done at £120?
0:11:38 > 0:11:43Selling this half sovereign at £120.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46Now let's see if we can get the same amount for that chain.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53The early 20th-century hallmarked, 18 inch Albert link chain.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Unusual to see a trio of three clasps.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59But I've got to say, this is a lovely, lovely chain
0:11:59 > 0:12:05and it's got to start with a bid with me of £120.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09Yes, straight in on that. Michael's relieved.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11..130, 140. £150,
0:12:11 > 0:12:14I'm now looking for 160.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19I've got 150, looking for 160, are we all done?
0:12:19 > 0:12:22160 in front. 165, looking for 170, sir.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24170, looking for 175.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26175, looking for 180.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29I've got 175 at the back of the room. Are we all done?
0:12:32 > 0:12:35At 175...
0:12:35 > 0:12:37- Yes, the hammer's gone down. 175.- Lovely.
0:12:37 > 0:12:43- Isn't that lovely? That's £295. - Lovely.- Everybody wants gold.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- Top end of the estimate. - THEY LAUGH
0:12:45 > 0:12:47'What a great start to the auction.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51'Separating that chain and sovereign was a really good call by Robert.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55'Next up, it's that huge light bulb.'
0:12:55 > 0:12:59OK, my turn to be the expert. Here's a good, bright idea,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01I've got that light bulb coming up, 1,000 watter,
0:13:01 > 0:13:04belongs to Sue, she can't be here today, unfortunately,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06but her husband Steve can.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09I was having a chat to your wife at the valuation day
0:13:09 > 0:13:11and I thought this was a lovely thing.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13Really, if I was Sue, I'd be keeping it.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16She said she's got all the memories and lots of other things.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- Yes.- Let's see if we can get that £30, shall we?
0:13:19 > 0:13:21OK, fine, let's see, yes.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24Absolutely stunning lot, this.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28You're never going to buy another one of these.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32A large, used 1,000 watt light bulb
0:13:32 > 0:13:35from the London Planetarium in the '70s.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40Someone has taken this home, in their briefcase, it hasn't broken.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Absolutely stunning piece, this.
0:13:43 > 0:13:49And the bid's with me straightaway at...£30 on this.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Ooh, we've sold it straightaway.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Anyone? There's a light bulb up here. I only want £32.
0:13:55 > 0:13:5732, 35, 38, £40,
0:13:57 > 0:14:0042, 45, 48,
0:14:00 > 0:14:0450 here. Looking for 55 on this. Are we all done? Last time.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12At £50 on a USED light bulb.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- LAUGHS - That's the most expensive dud light bulb, isn't it?
0:14:16 > 0:14:18You got the top end of the estimate.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- Tell Sue, won't you? - I will do.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25'Well I'm sure that result will brighten up Sue's day.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29'Our next item is that exquisite filigree brooch.'
0:14:31 > 0:14:34It's a holiday souvenir and it's going under the hammer.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37It belongs to Barbara and that holiday was in Malta, wasn't it?
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- Yes, it was my mother's. - Valletta Harbour, or Medina, or somewhere like that.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Beautiful place. We're looking for 150 to £200.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48It's gold, it's a filigree brooch. Why are you selling this?
0:14:48 > 0:14:50I don't wear it and my mother didn't wear it.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54And I'm going to take my sister out, she's not terribly well
0:14:54 > 0:14:56at the moment and we'll just talk about Mum.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- It is a difficult thing to wear, isn't it?- It's more like a collector's piece.
0:15:00 > 0:15:05Maybe someone that collects portrait miniatures. I can see it fitting really well.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- It's very pretty, isn't it? - Yes. Pretty lady.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Good luck, here we go. This is it.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Lovely, beautiful enamel portrait of a maiden.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Absolutely stunning brooch, this. It's got to start
0:15:18 > 0:15:20with a bid with me of £100 only.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28Looking for 110. 110, 120, 130,
0:15:28 > 0:15:29140, 150, 160...
0:15:29 > 0:15:32Wow, wow, wow.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37£170, I'm out, 180 at the back of the room. 190,
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- 200, 210, 220, 230... - I'm amazed.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44..250, 260, 270. £270 with you, sir.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47280, new place. Looking for 290.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52290, looking for 300. £300 standing, 310 seated.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55320, 330, 340, 350,
0:15:55 > 0:15:58360, 370, 380, 390.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01£390 there. Looking for 400.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Are we all done?
0:16:03 > 0:16:06At £390, sold.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- Yes!- That's amazing.- I'm so pleased for you, that's really good.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14- Quality, quality always sells, doesn't it?- I'm just amazed, because I didn't wear it.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18- That's more than lunch out, isn't it?- It is. Nice pair of earrings.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- That's a very nice lunch out. - THEY LAUGH
0:16:22 > 0:16:23'That's a fantastic price
0:16:23 > 0:16:27'and I hope the new owner really enjoys that brooch.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30'Now, I want to show you a very special gallery that I visited
0:16:30 > 0:16:33'while I was in London.'
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Today, we're blessed with many superb art galleries in this country,
0:16:51 > 0:16:53but it hasn't always been this way.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57Some 200 years ago, there were some fabulous private collections,
0:16:57 > 0:17:00but only a handful of galleries opened to the public.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04Thankfully, all that has changed, but it was a slow process,
0:17:04 > 0:17:06bringing art to the masses.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08But Dulwich Picture Gallery was instrumental
0:17:08 > 0:17:13in that shift of attitude, that art shouldn't just be for the elite.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17When this place was founded in 1811, it was the first
0:17:17 > 0:17:23purpose-built gallery in the country to house art for the public.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26So the building itself is a monument to all you art lovers
0:17:26 > 0:17:29and as we're about to find out when we go inside,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31it's got a collection fit for a king.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40'The gallery story starts in 1790.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44'Stanislas Augustus, the last King of Poland,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47'commissioned two of London's most eminent art dealers,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50'Noel Desanfans and Sir Francis Bourgeois
0:17:50 > 0:17:53'to put together a Royal collection for Poland.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57'The men dedicated themselves to collecting the finest paintings around,
0:17:57 > 0:18:00'but in 1795, Poland was partitioned
0:18:00 > 0:18:03'and the King was forced into exile.'
0:18:05 > 0:18:08So the dealers were left with a Royal collection,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11but with no king to give it to.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Unable to sell the works as a whole,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Bourgeois left the collection of art to Dulwich College upon his death,
0:18:17 > 0:18:21with the condition that they be put on public display.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24There was also another condition in the will,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27a request that the art gallery they were to be displayed in
0:18:27 > 0:18:32would be built by his good friend, the architect, Sir John Soane.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Soane took on the challenge with great enthusiasm
0:18:34 > 0:18:38and started work immediately here in Dulwich on the art gallery
0:18:38 > 0:18:41the day after Bourgeois died.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46'Soane's design was unlike anything else that had been built before.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48'He created these roof lantern windows,
0:18:48 > 0:18:53'allowing natural light to wash over the paintings.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57'This idea has inspired the design of art galleries ever since.'
0:18:59 > 0:19:02'The mausoleum at the gallery's heart
0:19:02 > 0:19:04'is perhaps the most quirky part of the building.
0:19:04 > 0:19:09'Soane used coloured glass to bathe the room in orange light.
0:19:09 > 0:19:14'This went on to become a very fitting resting place for the gallery's founders.'
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Bourgeois and Desanfans built up their Royal collection,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21reflecting the tastes and the market of the day
0:19:21 > 0:19:24and they focused all their energies on collecting European art,
0:19:24 > 0:19:28from the 17th and 18th centuries, a period known as Baroque.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32This was a really exciting time for collectors back then,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36because each European country had radically different societies,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38and all this was captured by the artists,
0:19:38 > 0:19:42because they all had different tastes and interpretations.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47Also, the French revolution caused the break-up of the French Royal collection,
0:19:47 > 0:19:51so a lot of Old Masters flooded the London market,
0:19:51 > 0:19:54and because of this, Bourgeois and Desanfans
0:19:54 > 0:19:58were able to build up an eclectic and diverse range of paintings.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02And with the help of some later bequests, all of this has become
0:20:02 > 0:20:07one of the finest public collections of Old Masters in the world.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11And you really are in extraordinary company here.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15The 350 or so paintings on permanent display include masterpieces
0:20:15 > 0:20:17by Van Dyck, Murillo,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Rubens and Poussin, to name a few.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29But let's take a closer look at the paintings themselves.
0:20:29 > 0:20:30Mention the name Canaletto,
0:20:30 > 0:20:35and you instantly think of those wonderfully evocative scenes of Venice
0:20:35 > 0:20:39that he painted extensively for the tourist market back in the 1730s.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42But interestingly, this is a Canaletto,
0:20:42 > 0:20:43but it's an English scene.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47That's Old Walton Bridge, in Walton-on-Thames in Surrey.
0:20:47 > 0:20:52He painted this for the MP Thomas Hollis back in 1754.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55If you look closely, you can see the MP Thomas in the foreground,
0:20:55 > 0:20:58in this beautiful frock coat.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02But look also at what else is going on in the foreground.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04There is Canaletto himself, look.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Painting the scene we're looking at.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Isn't that lovely?
0:21:18 > 0:21:21This is one of the most iconic paintings at the gallery.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24It's Rembrandt's Girl at the Window.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29No-one knows for sure who the young girl is,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32possibly one of Rembrandt's servants,
0:21:32 > 0:21:36but he painted this in 1645, when he was 39 years old.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40It's a mixture between genre and portraiture.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43It's full of mysteries and ambiguities, typical of his work.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46She's looking right at you, holding her necklace.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49It's got these wonderful dark understated tones,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52which bring the subject matter really alive.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57He's painted this using a combination of brushes, palette knife,
0:21:57 > 0:21:59and, believe it or not, his fingers.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01This is my favourite painting in the gallery.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04It's worth coming here just to see this one oil painting.
0:22:04 > 0:22:10Pay homage to it, because it is absolutely stunning.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Rembrandt's painting hasn't always looked like this.
0:22:13 > 0:22:14It's recently been cleaned.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19Look at the difference. It's really brought the portrait to life.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Sarah Moulden is one of the curators,
0:22:22 > 0:22:27'and I want to ask her about the conservation work that's done here.'
0:22:27 > 0:22:31Sarah, there must be such a huge responsibility on you
0:22:31 > 0:22:34for the conservation of so many fine Masters here.
0:22:34 > 0:22:39It's a big job, not least because most of the collection we have here
0:22:39 > 0:22:42dates back to the 17th and 18th century.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44So over time they can deteriorate.
0:22:44 > 0:22:49Tell me a little bit about the scheme to adopt an Old Master.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52It was set up in 1988 as a way to encourage
0:22:52 > 0:22:55groups of people or individuals to come forward,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58to adopt an Old Master, or their frames,
0:22:58 > 0:23:00that needed conservation.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02And their frames? That's quite interesting.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Frames are just as important as paintings.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10Frames over time can expand, and we sometimes get strain on canvas.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Can you talk me through this one?
0:23:12 > 0:23:15This is on the wall, and I gather this has been cleaned.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19These two paintings are by a 17th century Portuguese painter called Lorenzo A Castro.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24This one looked very much like this one once,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28very yellow, very dirty, very discoloured in the sky and the sea.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33What the conservator did to this a few years ago was to give it
0:23:33 > 0:23:39a gentle, sensitive clean, with some conservation-friendly solvents,
0:23:39 > 0:23:42which have managed to take off this yellowing effect,
0:23:42 > 0:23:46which is really just dirt and varnish mixing over time.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49I've seen this done. It's a slow, methodical process.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Sometimes used with a cotton bud, like an ear stick,
0:23:52 > 0:23:54just very slowly, bit by bit by bit.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Absolutely. It's got to be a very sensitive process,
0:23:58 > 0:24:00breathing some life back into them,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03but of course this one, we're still waiting for it to be adopted.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07Hopefully when this one is finished, it may be on the wall in the gallery to join this one.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Absolutely. That would be ideal.
0:24:09 > 0:24:14It's great to know that conservation work will continue
0:24:14 > 0:24:19so future generations can enjoy paintings here as much as I do.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28I'm pretty sure Bourgeois and Desenfans would certainly approve of the gallery,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31and all the fine work that's being done here today.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33I've thoroughly enjoyed myself,
0:24:33 > 0:24:37and hopefully I've inspired you to pay the gallery a visit.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45We're back at Dulwich College in South London,
0:24:45 > 0:24:49and our valuation day is in full swing.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Kate's with Peter, who's brought in something rather curious.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59- Peter, hello.- Hello. - What have you brought us today?
0:24:59 > 0:25:03Well, I presume it's a piece of Victorian Majolica ware,
0:25:03 > 0:25:05but I don't know much more about it.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10- So is this an inherited piece? - Yes, it came from my parents' home.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14My parents' house was bombed during the war and they lost all their china.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18I think this is one of the things my mother was given to fill up the spaces.
0:25:18 > 0:25:23- Ah, right.- She didn't like it, so I don't think she bought it.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27- So she never had it on display? - Oh yes, it was always there.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30That makes me think it was somebody she knew who gave her it.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34- So she couldn't offend by sticking it in a cupboard. Do you like it?- No.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38I think you're right, it is Victorian, so mid-19th century.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42There are English makers, George Jones, Wedgwood, Minton, that spring to mind,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44but also a few continental makers.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48So Majolica - or Maiolica in the Continent - could be French,
0:25:48 > 0:25:54and also the pink interior sometimes indicates it's a continental maker.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56But, saying that, there are no marks on the bottom
0:25:56 > 0:26:00so if it was George Jones or a really good English maker, that affects the price.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01Right.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05Looking at it a bit more closely, it's quite a sinister thing.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08There's this snake coiling all the way round it about to eat
0:26:08 > 0:26:12this poor, defenceless, unsuspecting frog on the top.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15The Victorians were very much influenced, in this instance,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19by nature and natural forms and things like that.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22I think it's quite fun. It's quite charming.
0:26:22 > 0:26:23It's not everybody's style.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25I can see why you're not a huge fan of it.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27I wouldn't want it in my house
0:26:27 > 0:26:30but there are a lot of Majolica collectors. Condition's great.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33A few little chips on it but nothing bad.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Any idea price-wise what you think it's worth?
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Well, no. I've seen Majolica ware for sale
0:26:39 > 0:26:42but it's always been more precise than this.
0:26:42 > 0:26:43This has got this awful, drippy glaze
0:26:43 > 0:26:46which makes me think it's not particularly good.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50- Perhaps I'm wrong. - Well, it's the style of it, as well.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53It's quite natural and fluid and it's quite good fun.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56I quite like it although I personally wouldn't have it.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00I think price-wise it's going to be £50 to £80 at auction.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04A classic auctioneer's estimate - 50-80 - kind of edging our bets.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Reserve-wise, would you want a reserve on it? Some kind of reserve?
0:27:07 > 0:27:10- I think I should have some reserve, yes.- OK.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14- How about putting a fairly low, £30 reserve?- That's OK.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16- Would you be happy with that? - Yes, I am.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19What would you buy if we sold it?
0:27:19 > 0:27:22I'm a mad keen collector of H and R Daniel's china so...
0:27:22 > 0:27:24- A different kind altogether? - Absolutely.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Precisely why I don't like this drippy, imprecise stuff.
0:27:27 > 0:27:32- Whereas that's beautifully painted and very neat.- Ah.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35- So you can exchange one porcelain, or one ceramic for another? - That's right.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38- Fingers crossed. - Splendid. Thank you.- Thanks.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43Find out later if Peter makes enough to treat himself
0:27:43 > 0:27:45to something that's more up his street.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47On Michael's table,
0:27:47 > 0:27:51he's getting very excited about an object that Sharon's brought in.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Well, Sharon, I think
0:27:53 > 0:27:55you were unwrapping this on one of our tables
0:27:55 > 0:27:57and I pounced on you when I saw it.
0:27:57 > 0:28:03- Yes.- Um, it's a wonderful thing and I am going to enthuse about it.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07But what can you tell me about it first? Where did it come from?
0:28:07 > 0:28:13It was given to me, in Toronto, about 40 years ago, by a very close friend.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16- Good grief.- Yes.- I tell from your accent, are you from Canada?
0:28:16 > 0:28:19Yes, I am. I was born in Hamilton in Ontario
0:28:19 > 0:28:23- but I've lived here now more than 30 yeas.- Do you have any idea
0:28:23 > 0:28:27- of what it is and where it was made?- No.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31- I think it's bronze. - It is certainly bronze.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34And I'd like to know
0:28:34 > 0:28:39if the little mouldings on the sides have any significance.
0:28:39 > 0:28:40- These little fellows?- Yes.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44We'll put you out of your misery on that score first. It is Chinese.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48- Mm-hm.- It's a bronze censer.- Oh.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52So you would put incense in there and it would perfume the room.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55These little fellows are called taotie masks
0:28:55 > 0:28:59and you get them on very, very early Chinese bronzes.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02They continued to use them as a decorative device
0:29:02 > 0:29:06right up until the 19th and 20th century.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09So what you have to do is you have to date it
0:29:09 > 0:29:11by the quality of the casting,
0:29:11 > 0:29:13the form,
0:29:13 > 0:29:16- and how well everything works.- Mm.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19I think it is an absolutely delightful thing.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23- These feet, these beautiful... - They are lovely, aren't they?
0:29:23 > 0:29:26..swelling, massive feet down to very sensitive little tips here.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30Going back to these little taotie mask handles,
0:29:30 > 0:29:32they are very finely cast.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34They are beautiful work.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38So then that begs the question, when was it made?
0:29:38 > 0:29:40- Yes.- I'm not going to be that precise
0:29:40 > 0:29:44because dating Chinese bronzes is not a precise science.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46From the quality of it,
0:29:46 > 0:29:50- um, in my opinion, it's 17th century.- Really?
0:29:50 > 0:29:55But it could possibly be into the middle of the 18th century.
0:29:55 > 0:29:56I had no idea.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00And I'm sure the friend who bought it for me had no idea either.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02It's amazing how these things turn up.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06- I would love to know how it turned up in Canada in the first place.- Yes.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09But that will be forever a mystery. Having built it up that much...
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- Yes.- ..we'll have to get back down to earth.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16- Would £50 buy this off of you? - No, I don't think so.
0:30:16 > 0:30:22- For sentimental reasons more than anything else.- 75?- Um, perhaps.
0:30:22 > 0:30:27- Yes, we're getting warm.- So we'd have a discussion at 75?- Yes.
0:30:27 > 0:30:32- And possibly at 100, we might seal it?- Oh, definitely.- Right.
0:30:32 > 0:30:33Let's put it into auction...
0:30:35 > 0:30:39..for £600 to £800.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42And let's put a fixed reserve of £600 on it.
0:30:42 > 0:30:47- Because it is, believe me, worth that all day long.- Well, let's.
0:30:47 > 0:30:51- LAUGHS That's all I can say.- Um...
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Genuinely amazed.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56Now let's just hope at the auction there are telephone calls
0:30:56 > 0:30:59from mainland China, a bank of them,
0:30:59 > 0:31:01hopefully all bidding to get this back home.
0:31:01 > 0:31:06- Yes.- So, Sharon, what have you been using this lovely bowl for?
0:31:06 > 0:31:09Well, when I'm not preventing people
0:31:09 > 0:31:12from stubbing out their cigarettes in it,
0:31:12 > 0:31:15I, um, use it to store my neighbour's keys.
0:31:15 > 0:31:21- Oh, no!- Yes.- Oh, no! - I don't think it's done it any harm.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25- SIGHS - Just. Just.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29'It sounds like that bowl has had a lucky escape.
0:31:29 > 0:31:34'Time to squeeze in one more valuation, or should that be ten?'
0:31:34 > 0:31:37Malcolm, you have brought in the sweetest things I've seen all day.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39Tell me about them.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41I was at a car boot recently
0:31:41 > 0:31:44and I was looking in a box that was on the floor.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48And in the box there was a vase that I was interested in.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51As I was looking at the back - I didn't have my glasses with me
0:31:51 > 0:31:56so I was squinting - I saw a pot with all these figures in.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59I couldn't really tell, cos it was early morning,
0:31:59 > 0:32:00whether they were chess pieces,
0:32:00 > 0:32:03- whether they were made of wood or metal.- Yeah.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06I could see something on one that said "A-U-S".
0:32:06 > 0:32:10- I thought, "Is that Australia or Austria?"- Yeah.- I didn't know.
0:32:10 > 0:32:11So I said to the dealer,
0:32:11 > 0:32:14"How much would the vase be and the pot of figures?"
0:32:14 > 0:32:18And he said, "£30." I paid him the money and got home.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22I was sitting with my glasses on and I could see they were Austrian.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25So, on a whim, you bought them mainly because you wanted the vase.
0:32:25 > 0:32:30- Have you sold the vase?- I have.- OK, how much did that go for?- £25.
0:32:30 > 0:32:35So these have cost you a fiver. OK. Do you know any more about...
0:32:35 > 0:32:38It is Austria, which is great for bronzes. It says RR.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42Do you know who that's for? Who that mark is?
0:32:42 > 0:32:46- I think it's Richard Rohac, is it? - Yes.- That's about as much as I know. - Yeah.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Obviously he must be Austrian, I would have thought.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54Richard Rohac worked for the Hagenauer studios, the Hagenauer foundry. These are 1950s -
0:32:54 > 0:32:57certainly stylistically from the teddy bear, he's sweet.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01My absolute favourite... I'm torn because I like the mouse and the owl.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04- Which is your favourite? - It's got to be the mouse.- The mouse.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06It's amazing that that's lasted so long
0:33:06 > 0:33:11with that really thin tail and he's not got damaged at all. He's lovely.
0:33:11 > 0:33:16- How many have we got? One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.- We've got ten.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18That's a ridiculous amount each, if you only paid a fiver.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21I'm on the right side there.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24Price-wise, yeah, it's quite an interesting one. I think they've got to be...
0:33:24 > 0:33:28at least £10 each, something like that, you would think.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32It's hard to put a value on these auction-wise.
0:33:32 > 0:33:37- Maybe £150, £200, something like that?- Sounds good to me.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39Would you want a reserve on them at all?
0:33:39 > 0:33:41I think £100 as a reserve if that would be all right.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44- A great return if we could get it, isn't it?- It would be.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47If we sold them at the sale, what would you do with the money?
0:33:47 > 0:33:51Um, I'd go out and try and find something else to bring to you.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54- Find something else at boot fair, find something.- Yes.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58You've got a good eye. A little bird tells me this isn't your first time on Flog It!
0:33:58 > 0:34:02- No, it's not my first time but hopefully it'll not be my last. - What did you bring last time?
0:34:02 > 0:34:07- Last time I brought in a miniature walnut apprentice table.- All right.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10- Did it sell?- Yes. It sold well. - So we financed the new purchase.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13- Yes.- And we will continue to finance purchases.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16- Try to keep the cycle going. - Brilliant.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20- Ultimate recycling is antiques so we'll give it a go.- Thanks.- Thanks.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25Before we do, let's remind ourselves why our experts
0:34:25 > 0:34:28think today's items are so fabulous.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31Malcolm's bronze animals are really sweet.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34I can't decide which one I like most. Everyone will have a favourite.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38I think they'll do well. Fingers crossed they'll get the high end of the estimate.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42This is simply the most beautiful bit of Chinese art I've ever seen
0:34:42 > 0:34:46on a Flog It! valuation day and I hope everyone else at the auction
0:34:46 > 0:34:49appreciates just what a fine piece this is.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51I'm wondering if I give this frog a kiss,
0:34:51 > 0:34:55if he'll turn into a handsome prince and make my day at the auction?
0:34:55 > 0:35:00I'm hoping my valuation's spot-on and it'll go well. Mwah!
0:35:02 > 0:35:05We're back at Greenwich Auctions in London
0:35:05 > 0:35:08and the lots are flying out of the door.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10Will Peter's ceramic do well?
0:35:10 > 0:35:13We'll find out now because it's about to go under that hammer.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18We've got a wonderful Majolica jug decorated with snakes and frogs and foliage.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21The more creepy-crawlies the better, the more expensive it gets.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25- Why are you selling this, Peter? - It's just filling a space in a cupboard.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28- I'd rather have the space. - Not keen on it at all?- No.- No?
0:35:28 > 0:35:31- I like this kind of thing. - It's quite quirky.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33- Hopefully someone will like it. - I hope so.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35We'll find out right now because this is it!
0:35:39 > 0:35:43Good example this lot. It's a large glazed Majolica china jug.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50- And the bid's with me at only £28 on that.- Oh, come on.- Come on!
0:35:50 > 0:35:53I want 30 on this jug. I've got 28.
0:35:55 > 0:36:0232. 5, I'm out. 38. £40. 42. 45. 48. 50.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04Looking for 50. 55. Looking for 60...
0:36:04 > 0:36:09There's two bidders fighting it out in the corner, in the same corner.
0:36:11 > 0:36:1455 there. Are we all done? Last time.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20At £55.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23- That's not too bad. - Just where you said it would be.
0:36:23 > 0:36:24Well, naturally.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27- Better than sticking it back in that dark cupboard...- Yes.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29- ..filling space. - Thank you very much.
0:36:29 > 0:36:35Brilliant. I am so pleased Peter can put that £55 towards something he'll love.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39Our next lot is Sharon's fantastic Chinese bowl.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46Coming up next, the oldest thing in today's sale -
0:36:46 > 0:36:48this Chinese, late-17th century, bronze censer.
0:36:48 > 0:36:53A wonderful bowl with a tripod base, isn't it? It belongs to Sharon here.
0:36:53 > 0:36:54How did you come by this?
0:36:54 > 0:36:58- A dear friend gave it to me about 40 years ago.- Wow. And you've kept it.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01- I've kept it. I've enjoyed it. - It's beautiful.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04My only reservation is that here today, I don't think
0:37:04 > 0:37:09- the Chinese buyers have had a chance to see it.- We'll find out. - That's the crucial thing.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13- We'll find out right now, this is it. Good luck, Sharon. - You're welcome.- Here you go.
0:37:14 > 0:37:15A special lot.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19Late-17th, early-18th Chinese bronze censer bowl
0:37:19 > 0:37:22on tripod pad feet.
0:37:24 > 0:37:29And it's got to start with a bid with me of £380 on this bronze bowl.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33Looking for 390. 400 with me. Looking for 410.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40I've got 400, I'm looking for 410 anywhere. Are we all done?
0:37:41 > 0:37:42At £400.
0:37:45 > 0:37:46No, he didn't.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49- At least we protected it with the reserve.- Yes.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51To be honest, if the Chinese bidders had seen it,
0:37:51 > 0:37:54we'd have been starting at 1,000 and going on from there.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58- It's unfortunate but this is what reserves are for. That's our job. - Yes.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01- It's had a good life, hasn't it? - Yes.- It's going home.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03- You can enjoy it a bit longer.- Yes.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07- At least you can remember what Michael's words are. - I'm fascinated.
0:38:07 > 0:38:08You've got a good valuation.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12- Make sure to protect it the next time that you go to sale.- I will.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15'I've got a feeling that if Sharon takes that bowl
0:38:15 > 0:38:17'to a specialist Oriental sale, she'll get a good price.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20'On sale preview day, I asked the auctioneer,
0:38:20 > 0:38:23'Robert Dodd, what he thought about Malcolm's bronze animals.'
0:38:23 > 0:38:30Our expert has put a value of £150 to £200 on the lot, as a job lot.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33- But I know you've decided to split them up.- That's right.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36- Because I think that's the best way of selling these.- Yes.
0:38:36 > 0:38:41- Um, I like them a lot.- Good.- And I like to sell this type of stuff.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43It's highly collectable - small items.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47I think, as well, people often get wrapped up with who the designer is
0:38:47 > 0:38:49or who the sculptor is.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52At the end of the day someone who collects owls,
0:38:52 > 0:38:54they won't care who's designed it -
0:38:54 > 0:38:58they like the owl, or a duck or a teddy bear.
0:38:58 > 0:39:04By putting them through individually, I believe we should make the top valuation.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07So how have you decided to put a new value on these? What have you done?
0:39:07 > 0:39:10- We've got a reserve figure of £100. - Yeah.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13You're looking at £10 each gets the reserve.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16- Yeah.- So two people like the owl, could make £18 to £20.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19- Two people like the duck. That could make £20.- Yeah.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- So it gives him more of a chance. - We'll add it all up at the end
0:39:22 > 0:39:24- and see what happens. - I haven't got time!
0:39:24 > 0:39:27No, you haven't. Mind you, you've got your work cut out now.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31- You've ten times more work but that's how you earn your money. - That's right.
0:39:31 > 0:39:36So let's see how they get on. They are about to go under the hammer.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39They belong to Malcolm and he's right next to me now
0:39:39 > 0:39:42and he has been buying things, haven't you?
0:39:42 > 0:39:46- Well, I've been trying to, yes. - Any luck so far?- No, not yet.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Had a couple of bids but still got a couple to go yet.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53Well, keep your powder dry. Now, listen, why are you selling these?
0:39:53 > 0:39:58- Um, I don't know really. I feel like buying them back but there you go!- Oh.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Too late now. You can't buy your own things.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03You've buyer's and seller's commission if you buy it back!
0:40:03 > 0:40:07Good luck with the bronzes and good luck with whatever you're buying later on, OK?
0:40:07 > 0:40:12- Thanks.- Here we go. Let's find out what the bidders think in this packed auction room. This is it.
0:40:13 > 0:40:18Classic Austrian bronze figure. Teddy bear with mark on the base.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21This first one's got to start with a bid with me of £10 only.
0:40:21 > 0:40:27Looking for 12. 13. 14, I'm out. 16 down the back. 18 I need. 18 seated.
0:40:27 > 0:40:32£20. Looking for 22. 22 I have. Looking for 24. Are we all done?
0:40:32 > 0:40:35Last time. Seated at £22.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38- Well, that's got your money back. - A great sign.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41Looking for 22. 22. 25. 8 I need.
0:40:41 > 0:40:4528, I'm out. Down the back. Looking for 30. Are we all done?
0:40:45 > 0:40:47At £28.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50£28 for the horse and now it's the penguin I think.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54Bid's with me at £10. Looking for 12...
0:40:54 > 0:40:56At £28.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58That's the penguin at 28. Now the owl.
0:40:58 > 0:41:0230 there. Looking for 32. Are we all done?
0:41:02 > 0:41:04At £30.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06- Here we go, here's the next one. - Are we all done at 20?
0:41:06 > 0:41:09- Selling at £20. - GAVEL BANGS
0:41:09 > 0:41:10Yes. And now the fish.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13The fish, good lot.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Last time at £28.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17- Jaws must have bought that one.- Yes.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19- It's the mouse now.- The mouse. - This is the one.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23The bid's with me at £10. Looking for 12. 15. 18.
0:41:23 > 0:41:2620 there. Looking for 22. 2 seated. 25. 28.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28£30. Looking for 32. Are we all done?
0:41:28 > 0:41:3332 there. Looking for 35. Are we back? 35 there. Looking for 38.
0:41:33 > 0:41:3738. Looking for £40. Are you coming in at £40 there?
0:41:37 > 0:41:40Looking for 42. 2, looking for 45. At 45, looking for 48...
0:41:40 > 0:41:42Wow.
0:41:42 > 0:41:47..50. £60. Looking for 62. 62. Looking for 65, there.
0:41:47 > 0:41:5368 I need. 68 I've got. £70 seated. 2. 72. 78 I want.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Are we all done? Last time.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57At £75.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00- Hammer's gone down.- Brilliant. - This time it's a duck.
0:42:00 > 0:42:04Bid's with me at £10 only on the duck. 12.
0:42:04 > 0:42:0714. 16, I'm out. Looking for 18 on the duck...
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Don't go away, we're going to add this up in a moment!
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Last time at £25.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14- Gosh.- Lot 38.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18The Austrian bronze figure donkey. This should make some dough.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20The bid's with me at £10. Looking for 12.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23- What's the matter with the donkey? - GAVEL BANGS
0:42:23 > 0:42:27I love the G-force when the hammer comes down! Cracking.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30Last one today on the bronze. The seahorse.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34£25 down the back of the room. 8 there. Looking for 30.
0:42:34 > 0:42:39£30, looking for 32. 32, looking for 35. Down the back of the room.
0:42:39 > 0:42:40Looking for 38. Are we all done?
0:42:40 > 0:42:44At £35. 38...
0:42:44 > 0:42:47- No. Late bids. - Are we all done on my left?
0:42:47 > 0:42:50At £42.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52Yes! The hammer's gone down on the last one.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55- You've got to be a happy man. - I'm a happy bunny.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58Oh, you're a happy bunny. Expecting around £150 to £200.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02- You've got £340. - That was a great result.- It was.
0:43:02 > 0:43:07- Well done, Robert. He knows his market.- Yes.- Happy?- Very happy.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09Malcolm'll spend the rest of the day putting his hand up,
0:43:09 > 0:43:13buying more antiques. That's what it's about, reinvesting.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15I hope you've enjoyed today's show, we certainly have.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19Join us next time for many more surprises. Until then, it's goodbye.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:36 > 0:43:40E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk