0:00:04 > 0:00:08This is one of the best preserved castles in Scotland - Crathes,
0:00:08 > 0:00:12and it's been deeply rooted in Scottish history for over 400 years.
0:00:12 > 0:00:18It's our nerve centre for today's programme. Welcome to Aberdeenshire, welcome to Flog It!
0:00:43 > 0:00:47Crathes Castle is renowned worldwide for its fabulous gardens
0:00:47 > 0:00:50and today they do look absolutely stunning.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54It's not the blooms we're interested in. It's all the collectables
0:00:54 > 0:00:58that the good people of Aberdeenshire have brought along.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02And there's always one question on their minds.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04- What's it worth?- Let's find out.
0:01:04 > 0:01:10- 'Digging about in the queue ready to answer that question are today's lead experts.'- Very comfy.
0:01:12 > 0:01:18- 'Scotland's own Anita Manning.' - Hello.- I feel like you're a friend. - That's so nice of you to say so.
0:01:18 > 0:01:25- You've got a lot of bits and pieces. Once we get you to the tables, we'll have a closer look.- Thank you.
0:01:25 > 0:01:31- 'And visiting Englishman, Adam Partridge.'- What do you have?- Monart fruit bowl.- That's what we want.
0:01:31 > 0:01:38- Where is that Adam Partridge? - Quick, before that Anita comes! Yeah, very nice.
0:01:38 > 0:01:44'Both highly skilled auctioneers and valuers, they'll certainly root out those prized pieces.'
0:01:44 > 0:01:50- It's a game pie dish, is it? - A pie dish.- And you're game to sell it?- I'm game to sell it.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56'On today's show, we have lots of interesting items that fetch lots of money at auction,
0:01:56 > 0:02:02'but which one of these is the only one not to go for over £1,000?
0:02:02 > 0:02:04'Anita's silver tea service?'
0:02:04 > 0:02:11Their company was in Rhode Island in New York, so this was as good as it got.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13'Adam's whist markers?'
0:02:13 > 0:02:18These are circa 1900. I'm pleased to see these here. You don't see them very often.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20'Or my apothecary cabinet.'
0:02:20 > 0:02:28Some old boy brought this in. He got this for next to nothing and he's used the top as a bit of a worktop.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30'Keep watching and you'll find out.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35'But we're going to start with something Scottish. No, it's not Anita Manning.
0:02:35 > 0:02:41- 'It's the Monart glass bowl Adam discovered in the queue.'- Welcome to Flog It, a beautiful sunny day here.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45- How are you doing?- Fine, thank you.- Thanks for coming along.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49- I'm Adam. What's your name?- Janice. - And?- Lynn.- And your relationship?
0:02:49 > 0:02:51- We're sisters.- Sisters. Excellent.
0:02:51 > 0:02:56Thank you for bringing along this lovely bowl which is glistening in the sun today.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01Can you tell us anything about it, where it came from? Who's going to start?
0:03:01 > 0:03:05It belonged to our parents. They received it as a wedding present.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10- And when were they married?- 1951. - 1951. Gosh, 60 years ago now.- Yeah.
0:03:10 > 0:03:17- Do you remember this from childhood? - Definitely.- Yeah, it used to sit on the table in the window
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- with the fruit in it.- Right.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22- Who does it belong to now? - Jointly.- Jointly, yeah.
0:03:22 > 0:03:28So it's not something you can cut in half or have a month for you and a month for you.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33OK, so you've decided to put it on the market and then split the money afterwards?
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- Yeah.- Yeah.- OK.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38- Do you like it? - I do, yeah. I love it.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43It certainly looks its best today. It's a lovely sunny day here in Aberdeen.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47A lot of people will recognise this as a Monart bowl,
0:03:47 > 0:03:53a Scottish glassware founded by a Spanish chap called Ysart and they called it the Moncrieff Glassworks.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57The combination of Moncrieff and Ysart made the word "Monart".
0:03:57 > 0:04:01It's that pale blue colour so often associated with the Queen Mother.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03That's true, yeah.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05It's got these little gold flecks,
0:04:05 > 0:04:11so you've got the traditional Scottish shapes with a bit of Spanish flair added to it.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- Any idea what it might be worth? - Not really, no.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18We see quite a bit of Monart through the salerooms.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21It's a good place to sell it. It's a regional collector's item.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Perthshire was the factory which isn't miles away.
0:04:24 > 0:04:32- They had relatives in Perth.- I wonder if any of them worked at the factory?- I don't think so.- No idea.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36Sometimes they've still got the paper label on the bottom as well.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41- It's missing. - Yeah, that's probably... - It's been regularly washed.- Exactly.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44We're not a slovenly household.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49How often do you buy something now and think, "I'll keep that label on it"?
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- The first thing to come off is the label.- It's bought to be used.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58Exactly, bought to be used, but clearly treasured because it's in lovely condition.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02So down to the value... It's not a hugely valuable example of Monart.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06It's a relatively standard model, if you will.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11- A lovely thing, but value-wise, about 50 to 80 estimate.- Mm-hm.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16- Disappointed?- Not really.- No. - Hopefully, it'll make towards 100.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20I doubt it'll make much more. I think we should put a reserve on it,
0:05:20 > 0:05:24just in case no-one turns up which would be horrible.
0:05:24 > 0:05:30- We wouldn't want it to go for 20 quid.- No.- Definitely not.- I love the way you answer simultaneously!
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- We're thinking the same. - Synchronised sisters.
0:05:33 > 0:05:40I think we put a reserve of 50, estimate of 50 to 80, and fingers crossed, it makes three figures,
0:05:40 > 0:05:44so you'll end up with a decent amount each.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49- I shan't ask what you'll do with the money because it's not a huge amount.- No.
0:05:49 > 0:05:54- It's been nice to see something of regional significance.- Thank you.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59'Adam's not the only one to find something Scottish. So have I.'
0:05:59 > 0:06:05I'm looking at the most fabulous hand-written journal. It belongs to Veronica who I'm standing next to.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10I've decided to whisk you off to the June Borders. What do you think? You've seen these before.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14- Yes, it's a lovely place.- We got away from the crowd on the main lawn
0:06:14 > 0:06:18because we deserve a bit of colour, looking at this tiny little book.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21It's beautifully written.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24What can you tell me about this? The book is from the 1700s.
0:06:24 > 0:06:31All I can say is my father used to work in Edinburgh and he'd go down every lunchtime to the Grassmarket
0:06:31 > 0:06:34which was a very sort of "antique worldy" place.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38And he would have bought it there back in the mid-'70s.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- It's quite hard to read.- Yeah. - It's been rebound.
0:06:41 > 0:06:48It's titled Walker's Natural History. Obviously, it's written by Mr Walker in the late 1700s,
0:06:48 > 0:06:54but looking at the index here, he's writing about geology, mineralogy, botany, zoology, you name it.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58He was a very, very clever man. Have you done any research on him?
0:06:58 > 0:07:03I did a little on the internet and discovered that he was a clergyman
0:07:03 > 0:07:06and professor at Edinburgh University.
0:07:06 > 0:07:12- There's a museum in Edinburgh - I filmed there - dedicated to the Royal College of Surgeons.- Yes.
0:07:12 > 0:07:17- This is mentioned in the book. - Anything else mentioned about Edinburgh?
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- This is building provenance.- The Botanic Gardens.- The Botanic Gardens.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25And some dates about the Botanic Gardens and some specimens?
0:07:25 > 0:07:29No, it actually just mentions part of it.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34And it mentions the Royal Infirmary which ties in nicely as my father worked there.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39- Maybe that's why he bought this book.- It could have been.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43I love the way he puts the word for the next page at the bottom.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47- So you can carry on reading.- He's annotating it all.- It's beautiful.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51Have you taken this to anybody to have a value before?
0:07:51 > 0:07:54I haven't taken it, but a gentleman came round
0:07:54 > 0:07:57and he sort of said maybe around 200.
0:07:57 > 0:08:03I'm fascinated by this. There's a lot of history related to Edinburgh. We're not far from Edinburgh.
0:08:03 > 0:08:09I think the local newspaper could do a spread on this. We should get the auction room to do some homework,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13put some feelers out, tell the local newspapers
0:08:13 > 0:08:16and hopefully, get a little bit of free publicity
0:08:16 > 0:08:20because something like this could be worth £400 or £500.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Well, that would be nice.
0:08:22 > 0:08:28- What do you think we should put this into auction with? - Well, I did have the 200.
0:08:28 > 0:08:35As far as I'm concerned, if that's the value, that's the value that I would be happy to sell it at.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39I think we get the auctioneer to earn his commission out of this,
0:08:39 > 0:08:45let him do all the research and homework for us and maybe readjust the valuation accordingly,
0:08:45 > 0:08:51- but if we put it into auction with a reserve of £200 and see what happens...- That'd be brilliant.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53There's a lot of history here.
0:08:53 > 0:09:00'With any luck, the auction research will provide added value, but we'll find out later on in the programme.'
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Arlene, welcome to Flog it and thank you so much
0:09:03 > 0:09:08for bringing in this beautiful piece of Carlton Ware. Where did you get it?
0:09:08 > 0:09:13I was up at my aunt's, she was tidying out, was going to throw it out.
0:09:13 > 0:09:18I said, "You can't do that." "If you want it, have it," she said. So I got it.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- She was going to throw that out? - Throw that out. She was tidying out.
0:09:22 > 0:09:28- Did she have it on display or was it tucked away in a cupboard? - It was in one of the outhouses.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30Yeah, it was tucked away.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33So you rescued it really?
0:09:33 > 0:09:35You could put it that way, yes.
0:09:35 > 0:09:41- Do you like it?- I like the colours, but I'm not over-fond of decorated items.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46- You prefer simpler...? - Simpler ones, simpler taste, but I do like the colours of it.
0:09:46 > 0:09:52That's a very modern way of thinking because the fashion is away from highly decorated items
0:09:52 > 0:09:58to more minimalist or more monochrome forms and colours,
0:09:58 > 0:10:03but in something like that, it's a wee bit special and it's very beautiful.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08- Yeah.- This was made in the 1930s by Carlton.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13It's one of their best ranges and many factories will make a range of ranges
0:10:13 > 0:10:19where you have less expensive items up to the very best of items
0:10:19 > 0:10:23and this was at that time one of the best ranges for Carlton Ware.
0:10:23 > 0:10:29It was called the Lustre range where we have this really lustre effect.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34And this is particularly nice because of these iridescent blues and greens.
0:10:34 > 0:10:40I don't know the pattern. I'm hoping that the auctioneer gets the pattern name of this
0:10:40 > 0:10:44because I think it's important, but what I like about it
0:10:44 > 0:10:48are these wonderful, stylised plant forms.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- Yeah.- It's almost science fiction.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55And they seem to be emerging from a female figure,
0:10:55 > 0:10:58so it's an imaginary landscape
0:10:58 > 0:11:00and very beautiful because of that.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04What they were trying to do was they were trying to copy...
0:11:04 > 0:11:08I don't mean in a bad way. In a respectful way.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11..the wonderful Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16And this was Carlton's answer to Fairyland Lustre.
0:11:16 > 0:11:22Let's look at the backstamp here, Arlene. We can see the mark for Carlton Ware here.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24And we have a decorator's mark here.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28All these things can be accessed. We can find out who did it.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33But it's a particularly pretty pattern with particularly pretty colours.
0:11:33 > 0:11:38- And it appears to be in perfect condition.- Mm-hm.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42- Do you have it on display, Arlene? - No, I don't.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47- So you just took it away?- I took it away. It's in my...- You rescued it.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51- You rescued it.- Yeah. - Well done on that.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- But it's not for you. - It's not for me, no.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57If you don't like a thing, I think it should be passed on
0:11:57 > 0:12:03- to someone who will love and admire and enjoy the item.- I quite agree.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08I would put an estimate between 80 and 120.
0:12:08 > 0:12:14- Would you be happy with that estimate, Arlene, if we put it into auction?- Yes.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17I think that it will do better than that,
0:12:17 > 0:12:21but I would suggest that we put a reserve of £70 on it.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25- Would you agree?- Yeah, that sounds reasonable.- That's good.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28So if we sell it, what would you do with the money?
0:12:28 > 0:12:32I'd probably treat the family to a dinner, a meal.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36- That would be a nice thing to do, a nice memento.- Yes, it would be.
0:12:36 > 0:12:42'We've served up our first three items, so it's time to put our valuations to the test
0:12:42 > 0:12:47'in the saleroom, but here's a recap of what we're taking with us and why.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50'Estimated at £50 to £80,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53'Adam thought the Monart glass bowl was smashing
0:12:53 > 0:12:57'and a great item to find because of its regional significance.
0:12:57 > 0:13:03'I found a wonderful 18th century natural history book, brought along by Veronica.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07'It was tricky to put a price on something that needs research.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11'We'll discover the true value in the auction.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16'And finally, that canny Anita valued the Carlton Ware vase at £80 to £120.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20'Not bad for something that was going to be thrown away!
0:13:29 > 0:13:32'We're in Aberdeen at John Milne Auctioneers.
0:13:32 > 0:13:38'Graham Lumsden is our auctioneer, but before we throw ourselves into the cut and thrust of the saleroom,
0:13:38 > 0:13:45'I caught up with Graham on the preview day to hear what he found out about the natural history book.'
0:13:45 > 0:13:50I remember this little journal. It was brought in by Veronica, a lovely lady.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53It's that wonderful natural history journal.
0:13:53 > 0:13:59I said, "This is not my field of expertise. Let's hand this over to Graham, the auctioneer.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03"That's how they earn commission." She wants a £200 reserve on this.
0:14:03 > 0:14:09- This gentleman, Professor Walker, Natural History at Edinburgh University...- Yeah.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13He was also a Church of Scotland minister which is interesting.
0:14:13 > 0:14:19- I think this work has been written by a student of his.- Not by his hand? - No, not by his hand.
0:14:19 > 0:14:25- And maybe from a book or his lecture notes.- Was this a common thing to do back in the early 18th century?
0:14:25 > 0:14:30- Yeah.- You couldn't afford to buy the book, so you copied it. - It must have taken him hours.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- There's 260 pages of hand-written... - Beautifully hand-written.
0:14:34 > 0:14:40- A few colour illustrations might have helped it along the way.- Yeah. - It's been rebound. It's 1780-ish.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- We'll see how it goes. - What's your gut feeling?
0:14:43 > 0:14:47- I believe there's a reserve of £200 on the book.- Yes.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51We've estimated it at 200 to 250 to encourage some bidding,
0:14:51 > 0:14:54but I think we might be around 150, 180.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- I think we might just struggle to sell it.- OK, fingers crossed.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01'We won't have to wait long
0:15:01 > 0:15:05'and you can never predict what will happen in an auction room.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08'First, it's Janice and Lynn with their Monart bowl.'
0:15:08 > 0:15:14- Good luck. The problem will be now solved. You've been left this Monart vase, haven't you?- Yeah.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- Now it can be divided up and split up.- Yes.
0:15:18 > 0:15:23There are plenty of collectors of Monart around and I'm sure there'll be a few here today,
0:15:23 > 0:15:29- so I'm quite confident for a market value, hopefully a bit more.- Yeah, fingers crossed.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Let's find out what it's worth.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36Monart glass bowl. Blue, decorative Monart glass bowl.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40£80? Monart glass bowl for 80? 60?
0:15:41 > 0:15:44I'm bid 40.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48Any advance now on £40, the Monart glass bowl at £40?
0:15:48 > 0:15:51I've got one... 42. 45. 48. 50.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53The lady's further back at £50.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Any advance now on £50?
0:15:56 > 0:16:00It's going to be sold for £50. All finished now at 50?
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- Yes.- Oh!- Late legs. Just. - Do you want to go to 55?
0:16:03 > 0:16:0655. 58.
0:16:06 > 0:16:0960. At 60 back on my right.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13Any advance now on £60? The bid's back on my right at 60.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Gosh, that was hard, wasn't it? That was hard work.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Thank goodness for Graham! He worked them. We got £60.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- Are you happy with that?- Yeah. - Well done.- Thanks for bringing it.
0:16:23 > 0:16:28- That's lunch out, really, isn't it? I think, really.- Yeah.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32'Adam was bang-on. It's the natural history book next.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36'I really don't know how this one is going to go.'
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Veronica, I had a chat to the auctioneer yesterday.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42I said, "Let's let the auctioneer do the work."
0:16:42 > 0:16:46He's done some research and he said the book is by John Walker
0:16:46 > 0:16:49and it's possible that it was copied in the 18th century,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53because the dates are right, by a student of his.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58And it was a familiar practice, so he tends to think it's not John Walker's hand.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02He's had other academics look at it and they concur.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07- It won't affect the value. We've still got that £200 reserve on it. OK?- Yeah, that's fine.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12- But it's a lovely story.- It is. - It really is a nice story. Let's see, shall we?
0:17:12 > 0:17:16This one volume book of natural history by John Walker.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18It's about 1780.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23This book, one volume, it's been rebound, £300?
0:17:23 > 0:17:25It's with Steve. £300?
0:17:25 > 0:17:27250?
0:17:27 > 0:17:28£200?
0:17:28 > 0:17:32One volume of natural history by Professor Walker.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36- I'm bid £160. - Come on, we need a bit more.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40Any advance on this volume at 160? It's not enough at 160.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42It's beside me at 160.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- We're not going to find a buyer, are we?- No.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Any more? It's at 160...
0:17:49 > 0:17:53- I'm ever so sorry, Veronica. He didn't sell it.- Never mind.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57- Never mind.- But you wanted that protected with a £200 reserve.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01- Yes.- It means something to you, doesn't it?- Yes.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Maybe just enjoy it and read it.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Yes, I'll maybe try and read a bit more of it.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13'We weren't far off the reserve, but those student notes didn't quite make the grade.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15'Next up, the Carlton Ware vase.'
0:18:16 > 0:18:20- Arlene, you've brought in some Carlton Ware.- I have.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24- This was going to be thrown away, but now it will be recycled.- Yes.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28Isn't that fabulous? That's the great thing about antiques.
0:18:28 > 0:18:33And this is particularly beautiful. Imagine throwing anything out as beautiful as that!
0:18:33 > 0:18:39- Why was it going to be thrown? - My aunt had things like that and threw everything out.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- Hopefully, someone is going to enjoy this now.- Yes.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- And it'll last another 200 years. - Hopefully, hopefully.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Let's find out what they think it's worth, shall we?
0:18:50 > 0:18:54It's a blue and green Carlton Ware vase. £120?
0:18:54 > 0:18:56I'm bid 100.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59Any advance now on £100 for the vase?
0:18:59 > 0:19:01- I'm bid 110.- 110.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- 120. 130. 140. 150.- This is great.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- 160. 170. 180. 190... - Keep going, keep going.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11220. 230.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14240. 250... At 250 in the seats.
0:19:14 > 0:19:19- Any advance on £250 in the seats? - That's bonkers, isn't it?- 260.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21270. 280. 290.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23What have we missed on this?
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- I didn't miss anything. - It will be sold for £290...
0:19:28 > 0:19:31£290! That's absolute bonkers!
0:19:31 > 0:19:35It was one of the top of the range Carlton Wares.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- It was a beautiful lustre... - What was that estimate again?
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- LAUGHTER - I was a wee bit concerned.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- Mind you... - It didn't stop the bidding.
0:19:46 > 0:19:52That's an auctioneer's trick. It encourages everybody to think they can own it for next to nothing
0:19:52 > 0:19:57and before you know where you are, half a dozen hands have gone up and bingo!
0:19:57 > 0:19:59- Well, well, well!- That was good.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04- Are you happy?- I am.- I'm happy too. - I really enjoyed that.
0:20:04 > 0:20:09- That was good.- It was good. - And to think that was going to get thrown away!- I know.
0:20:09 > 0:20:14'She's a cheeky one, that Anita, but a fantastic result for our first visit to the saleroom.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17'Before we head back to Crathes Castle,
0:20:17 > 0:20:22'there's a 19th century Aberdonian artist I'd like to tell you about.'
0:20:31 > 0:20:35We've all heard of the Arts and Crafts Movement
0:20:35 > 0:20:40which flourished in the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century
0:20:40 > 0:20:46and you may be familiar with the great names like William Morris, Charles Rennie Mackintosh,
0:20:46 > 0:20:50CR Ashby, Archibald Knox, but there were other lesser known artists
0:20:50 > 0:20:52that were producing the most stunning work.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55One of them is James Cromar Watt
0:20:55 > 0:20:58and here, in the heart of Aberdeen in their art gallery,
0:20:58 > 0:21:02it contains the largest single collection of his work.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05It's well worth a look, so come with me.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09Born in Aberdeen in 1862, James Cromar Watt trained as an architect.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13His earliest drawings were studies of Scottish religious buildings
0:21:13 > 0:21:16like King's College Chapel at Aberdeen University.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20He achieved great acclaims and won awards
0:21:20 > 0:21:25from the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Architectural School of the Royal Academy.
0:21:25 > 0:21:31So this enabled him to take study trips around Europe, Egypt and the Far East.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36His sketchbooks from those trips begin to illustrate a change in direction
0:21:36 > 0:21:40from architectural work to a love of decorative detail.
0:21:40 > 0:21:46And from decorative detail, he became increasingly fascinated with crafts,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50which he'd have seen a great deal of whilst on his travels.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54He was largely self-taught and tried to master several genres.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Two techniques fascinated him. The first was gold granulation.
0:21:58 > 0:22:05This is a very delicate procedure fusing minute, miniscule little gold granules together
0:22:05 > 0:22:10on a surface to create a texture. I've been allowed behind the scenes
0:22:10 > 0:22:15to show you some of his test pieces which were done originally on card.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18I've got my white gloves on.
0:22:18 > 0:22:24It all starts really right here. The whole thing required a deftness of touch and a sureness as well.
0:22:24 > 0:22:32Somebody with a lot of confidence. Watt's used dental equipment, in particular, a small glass blowpipe.
0:22:32 > 0:22:38You can see his architectural background with his wonderful sense of symmetry and proportion.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43I do know that he worked with some kind of apparatus on a headband
0:22:43 > 0:22:49with a piece of wire and a large optical lens magnifying everything.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51Such skill.
0:22:51 > 0:22:57The process was practised from 300BC by goldsmiths of the Eastern Mediterranean,
0:22:57 > 0:23:03however the method was lost until the 19th century when an artist in Rome, Castellani,
0:23:03 > 0:23:06revived and rediscovered the craft.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10The pendant itself shows how he really mastered the technique.
0:23:10 > 0:23:16It also shows the second technique he mastered - enamelling. The central circle there combines them.
0:23:16 > 0:23:22You've got wonderful little enamelled motifs, bordered and decorated with gold granulation
0:23:22 > 0:23:25in the form of stylised leaf work.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29From the tiny samples here, he went on to produce the finished item.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33The museum have kindly got some out of the store to show you.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36Just take a look at this.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37Look at that.
0:23:37 > 0:23:43Wonderful piece of enamelling. The process involves taking some powdered glass,
0:23:43 > 0:23:48the colour of your choice, and fusing it at high temperature onto metal.
0:23:48 > 0:23:53This was fused onto foil, which creates this crumpled texture.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58This is the technique he used most and he had great success with it.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Absolutely beautiful.
0:24:00 > 0:24:05'Watt used the technique to its full advantage in necklaces and pendants,
0:24:05 > 0:24:11'achieving a variety of shades from the palest white to deep ruby reds to vibrant sapphires.
0:24:11 > 0:24:17'He became a real master of his craft, but I'm keen to find out more about the man
0:24:17 > 0:24:23'and what other works he produced. Kate Gillespie, the curator of decorative art here,
0:24:23 > 0:24:30- 'has agreed to talk to me.' Hello, Kate.- Hi, Paul.- Thank you for letting me go behind the scenes.
0:24:30 > 0:24:36He's clearly a talented artist. Why wasn't he as well known as some of his contemporaries?
0:24:36 > 0:24:42We believe he actually enjoyed working by himself.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47He was well acquainted with some other Arts and Crafts artists, but he enjoyed
0:24:47 > 0:24:51finding a unique type of art that he pursued.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53What else did Watt do?
0:24:53 > 0:24:57He carried out a lot of commissions for private patrons
0:24:57 > 0:25:04and also for churches, but he was also very active in the art world in Aberdeen
0:25:04 > 0:25:10and sat on a lot of committees and he organised for a lot of artists to come up to Aberdeen and exhibit.
0:25:10 > 0:25:16- He was a key figure. - A mover and a shaker, yeah. - Promoting art in the city.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20A lot of artists were working in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23Aberdeen was more on the periphery.
0:25:23 > 0:25:28What about the direction from let's say from architect to artist?
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Really the change in direction comes from his trips abroad.
0:25:32 > 0:25:38Rather than looking at the buildings as a whole, he looked at details - cornicing and foliage
0:25:38 > 0:25:44on columns, et cetera. And you see more and more preoccupation with this detail.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49- I think that's where he gets this interest in the decorative.- OK.
0:25:49 > 0:25:55I've just seen some lovely jewellery and I was aware of his plaques. Talk me through some of these.
0:25:55 > 0:26:01Well, this first piece is actually his earliest piece that we have, from 1898.
0:26:01 > 0:26:06It actually depicts his mother. It may have been part of a pair with a plaque of his father,
0:26:06 > 0:26:11but we don't have that. Next we have a mythological piece.
0:26:11 > 0:26:18We don't know who the sitter is, but he was very interested in Renaissance sources.
0:26:18 > 0:26:23- This is a new acquisition from the States.- A private collection?- Yes.
0:26:23 > 0:26:28We do know it was exhibited in the Aberdeen art gallery about 1900,
0:26:28 > 0:26:32- so it's come home, which is nice. - That's been away for a few years.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37- He obviously framed them himself. - That's right.- And the last one?
0:26:37 > 0:26:41It's the latest piece, we think from about 1902.
0:26:41 > 0:26:47This is his most technically accomplished piece. He's really refined his technique.
0:26:47 > 0:26:53It's a portrait of a young girl, which may have been one of the grandchildren of his friend.
0:26:53 > 0:26:59- A lot of history there.- Absolutely. - It's nice that it's come back here. Why is it here in the first place?
0:26:59 > 0:27:06When Watt died in an accident in 1940, prior to that he'd arranged for a lot of his private collection
0:27:06 > 0:27:10to be bequeathed to Aberdeen Art Gallery. So that came to us.
0:27:10 > 0:27:16Since then, curators have made a real attempt to buy items by him when they come up.
0:27:16 > 0:27:21Is this the same technique as I've just seen? It doesn't look like it.
0:27:21 > 0:27:28Parts of it are the same, but here in the face is a technique called grisaille,
0:27:28 > 0:27:33where the enamel is finely layered with a graduation in tone,
0:27:33 > 0:27:38so you get this light and dark. Greys and whites are used to build up this depth.
0:27:38 > 0:27:45- The result is a really photographic depiction.- Yes, there's a lot of chromatic hue.- Absolutely.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49- But you've almost got that sort of... It's like a negative.- It is.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53It's very nice. Was he at the peak of his career when he died?
0:27:53 > 0:27:58Em, no. He actually undertook some secret service in the war
0:27:58 > 0:28:02and when he returned from war he stopped working altogether.
0:28:02 > 0:28:08We don't know if his eyesight had deteriorated or if he just decided he didn't want to continue making,
0:28:08 > 0:28:14but from that period he stopped. We know that he didn't marry, he didn't have any children,
0:28:14 > 0:28:19but he had a close circle of friends and he enjoyed hosting parties.
0:28:19 > 0:28:25- They remember him fondly.- This is a great part of Aberdeen's heritage that we've got here.- Absolutely.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29He's really an unsung hero. There's not a lot known about him,
0:28:29 > 0:28:36- but his work is exquisite. - It's opened my eyes. Thank you very much.- You're very welcome.
0:28:42 > 0:28:48We're back in the beautiful grounds of Crathes Castle where Anita, Adam and our off-screen valuers
0:28:48 > 0:28:54are still busy searching for those treasured items. Adam has come up trumps first when he spotted Maureen
0:28:54 > 0:28:57with her two whist markers.
0:28:57 > 0:29:02- Are you a card player?- Not really. Just the odd game now and again.
0:29:02 > 0:29:08- Because these are antique scoring indicators for the game of whist. Ever played whist?- I have, yes.
0:29:08 > 0:29:16- I played a bit with my grandmother, but I've forgotten all about it. It's all aces and trumps.- Yes.
0:29:16 > 0:29:23These are circa 1900. I had a collection recently in my auction room.
0:29:23 > 0:29:29- You don't see them very often. - How did they work?- I'm not sure. They're for indicating scores.
0:29:29 > 0:29:34I don't understand the game enough to be able to explain,
0:29:34 > 0:29:40but I do know that they are scoring indicators for card games. And they're made from rosewood.
0:29:40 > 0:29:46These are little ivory tabs with little coloured inlays which are in the Japanese style.
0:29:46 > 0:29:52A lot of Japanese ivory is called Shibayama style when it has coloured inlays of mother of pearl.
0:29:52 > 0:30:00- How did you come to own them?- I found them in a display cabinet when I was clearing my mother's house.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04- Oh, right.- Last year.- And you thought, "What are these?"- Exactly.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08- And you brought them back to your house?- Yes.- Where do they live now?
0:30:08 > 0:30:13On a window sill where they can be seen. They're quite attractive.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17- And no one's ever told you what they are?- People ask, but I can't help!
0:30:17 > 0:30:21- Well, now you know, but it's too late - you're selling them!- Yeah.
0:30:21 > 0:30:27They're turn of the century and there isn't much more to say,
0:30:27 > 0:30:31- but value-wise. Have you got any idea?- Not really. Haven't a clue.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35- They're typically about £40-£50 each.- Oh, excellent.
0:30:35 > 0:30:42So I would put £50-£80 estimate on the two. We've got a little bit of inlay missing out of that one.
0:30:42 > 0:30:49- I would suggest £50-£80 as a guide price to get people interested. And a reserve of £50.- OK.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53So they don't go for less. They're certainly worth that.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57Hopefully, they'll make about £100, £120, something like that.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01- If they didn't make the reserve, I'd keep them.- Exactly.
0:31:01 > 0:31:07- You can use them as a mystery object to test all your friends. - Test my guests.- Test your guests.
0:31:07 > 0:31:14Pass them round and say, "Guess what these are for." Or you could work out how they work
0:31:14 > 0:31:19- and if you do find out, do give me a ring!- I'll let you know!
0:31:19 > 0:31:25- Thanks for coming. If they made £100, is there something you'd do with it?- Nothing specific.
0:31:25 > 0:31:30- Maybe add it to the next holiday fund.- That's better than nothing.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34Did you know what they were? That's what I love about the programme.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38We get to see such interesting things.
0:31:38 > 0:31:44Jane, I like a cup of tea, but this would serve a magnificent cup of tea.
0:31:44 > 0:31:49It's a wonderful silver tea service. Tell me, where did you get it?
0:31:49 > 0:31:54We got it from my mother-in-law who lives in Georgia in the States.
0:31:54 > 0:32:00She had basically got fed up cleaning it and decided to pass it on to us,
0:32:00 > 0:32:06- so it came over in the mail... - In the post!- Yes. In the post. - Oh, dear.
0:32:06 > 0:32:12- It really is a wonderful thing. So you now have to clean it. - Yes, probably, but I don't use it.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15- It's just taking up space. - Taking up space.
0:32:15 > 0:32:20- What about the next generation? Are they interested in it?- No.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22- They don't want to clean it either! - No!
0:32:22 > 0:32:26- Well, let's have a look at it.- OK. - If we look at the base
0:32:26 > 0:32:29of this teapot here,
0:32:29 > 0:32:33we can see the mark for Gorham and Company.
0:32:33 > 0:32:39This was a most prestigious silversmiths. Their company was in Rhode Island in New York.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44So this was as good, really, as it got.
0:32:44 > 0:32:50If we look at this pot here, an interesting little feature is these porcelain spacers.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54We always find this in pots of quality. It stops the heat
0:32:54 > 0:33:00of the liquid conducting through to the handle, so the handle will always remain cool.
0:33:00 > 0:33:06It's early 20th century. It has this very pretty embossed decoration
0:33:06 > 0:33:12with the tea pot, hot water, slot bowl, sugar and cream
0:33:12 > 0:33:18and this magnificent tray. And in the tray we have a combination of styles.
0:33:18 > 0:33:24I think the tray is looking forward to American Art Nouveau. Silver is good just now.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28The price of the metal is bringing up the price of the items,
0:33:28 > 0:33:34so this is a good time to sell this. Have you had it valued before?
0:33:34 > 0:33:39- Only for insurance purposes. - And what was the insurance value?
0:33:39 > 0:33:42- Between £2,000 and £3,000. - Insurance value is often
0:33:42 > 0:33:47three and sometimes four times the resale value.
0:33:47 > 0:33:52- So we're having to think down from the insurance value.- Right.
0:33:52 > 0:33:59If this was coming in to sale, I would estimate it in the range of £1,200-£1,800
0:33:59 > 0:34:04- and I would expect it to go in that range.- Mm-hm.- What I haven't done
0:34:04 > 0:34:10is to weigh it out and the weight value is a contributory factor...
0:34:10 > 0:34:13- Right.- ..in the resale value of it.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17Would you be happy to sell it within these estimates?
0:34:17 > 0:34:24- Yes, I think so.- You want to go for it. You're just not going to take it out the cupboard again.- No.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28OK. Let's put it in at £1,200-£1,800.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32- Right.- Now we must establish a reserve price.
0:34:32 > 0:34:37My recommendation would be in the region of £1,000,
0:34:37 > 0:34:42but I only want it to be at that if you're happy and comfortable with that price.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46- Maybe 12?- Shall we try 12? - Yeah.- We'll try 12.
0:34:46 > 0:34:52And let's hope that it sells at that because it is quite a magnificent service.
0:34:52 > 0:34:58- And it's by one of the best American makers.- Yeah.
0:34:58 > 0:35:03So what would you do with that amount of money, Jane?
0:35:03 > 0:35:09- It's a wee bit more than taking the family out for lunch. - Yes. I have absolutely no idea.
0:35:09 > 0:35:16- Well, I always advise people to just buy something extravagant. - Something silly.
0:35:16 > 0:35:21Don't pay your electricity bill with it. Buy a nice piece of jewellery or something.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25Anyway, I'll see you at the auction and thank you very much
0:35:25 > 0:35:29- for bringing it along again. - My pleasure. Thank you.
0:35:29 > 0:35:34That tea service is a real show stopper and it's our last valuation.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38We've had a fabulous day here. A marvellous turnout.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42Everybody's enjoyed themselves and we found some wonderful treasures.
0:35:42 > 0:35:50Now it's over to the auction room for the very last time, but will we get a surprise? Let's find out.
0:35:50 > 0:35:56First, it's those two rosewood and ivory whist markers, which Adam valued at £50-£80.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00Maureen isn't a player and since she had no idea what they were,
0:36:00 > 0:36:04it's not much of a gamble letting them go under the hammer.
0:36:04 > 0:36:10Finally, it's that head-turning silver tea service. Surely somebody will take a shine to it
0:36:10 > 0:36:13with a £1,200-£1,800 estimate.
0:36:16 > 0:36:22So we're back at John Milne Auctioneers in Aberdeen with auctioneer Graham Lumsden.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26Before we sell our lots, I've something to show you.
0:36:26 > 0:36:32It caught my eye on the preview day and it's something I couldn't miss - literally!
0:36:33 > 0:36:39Yes, there is a lot of it, isn't there? 120 drawers, to be precise.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43And it's all made of mahogany. It's from an old chemist's shop.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48It is fabulous. It's one of the biggest ones I've ever seen!
0:36:48 > 0:36:55Not practical to put in a house, but I can see this in a haberdashery shop or into a bygone museum.
0:36:55 > 0:37:02Somebody will clean this up and polish it and love it, but leave all these little stickers
0:37:02 > 0:37:06exactly as they are. There literally is something for everybody here.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09From Gum Shellac to Suppositories.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13The auctioneer has told me some old boy brought this in,
0:37:13 > 0:37:20he did a house clearance 20 or 30 years ago and got it for next to nothing and it was in his garage.
0:37:20 > 0:37:25Each drawer has contained different-sized screws and nuts and bolts and washers.
0:37:25 > 0:37:33He's used the top as a worktop. And here it is back into auction with a price tag of £600-£800.
0:37:33 > 0:37:39I can see this doing around £1,000 because it's quite unusual. It really is.
0:37:39 > 0:37:44Unusual and big! Let's see how it sells a little later. But first...
0:37:44 > 0:37:50If you play your cards right, you could own this next lot. Maureen, I like this, so does Adam.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54- I'm sure someone will snap them up. - It's those whist markers.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58Even the auctioneer, I had a chat to him, and he thoroughly loved them.
0:37:58 > 0:38:03He said, "This is the kind of thing I'd like to sell every day."
0:38:03 > 0:38:07- There's one little bit of damage. - One of the butterflies, wasn't it?
0:38:07 > 0:38:12Yeah, the mother of pearl was missing. Nevertheless, quality.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:38:15 > 0:38:21We have the pair of rosewood coloured inlay whist markers.
0:38:21 > 0:38:22£150?
0:38:22 > 0:38:24120?
0:38:24 > 0:38:27£100? 80?
0:38:27 > 0:38:2960?
0:38:29 > 0:38:33- We're going the wrong way! - Turn round!
0:38:33 > 0:38:37The whist markers at £60. One bid at £60.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41- It's on my right. 65. 70. - There we go.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45- 75. 80.- Now we've changed direction. We're going back up.
0:38:45 > 0:38:51Now at £85. Any advance on £85 for the whist markers? At 85.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54- That's OK for those.- At £85.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Going to be sold for £85.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01- That's gone down. That was a good result.- Yes.- I'm happy. Are you?
0:39:01 > 0:39:05- Yes, I am, yes. - That was a good result.
0:39:05 > 0:39:11We had a slight condition issue, but they're lovely things. And you're smiling!
0:39:11 > 0:39:16Certainly no poker face on Maureen. Now it's that massive apothecary cabinet.
0:39:16 > 0:39:22It's going under the hammer right now. Catalogued at £600-£800. Let's see what it makes.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24Whose house is big enough?
0:39:24 > 0:39:30A large apothecary's cabinet. And for this cabinet, £1,200. I'm bid 1,000.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34Any advance on £1,000 for the cabinet?
0:39:34 > 0:39:381,100. 1,200. 1,300.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40And 50. 1,400. 1,500.
0:39:40 > 0:39:431,600. 1,700.
0:39:43 > 0:39:461,800. 1,900. 2,000.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49It's going to be two one.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53Two one. Two two.
0:39:53 > 0:39:58Two three. Two four. Two five.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02Two six.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05Two seven. Two eight. Two nine.
0:40:05 > 0:40:113,000. Three one. Three two. Three three.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14Three four. Three five.
0:40:14 > 0:40:19It's now £3,500, which is incredible, isn't it?
0:40:19 > 0:40:24It had a £600-£800 valuation. It's so hard to put a price on things.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28All finished now at 3,500? Going to be sold. Three six.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33- At three six.- 3,600. - Any advance now on three six?
0:40:33 > 0:40:37It's outside the door at 3,600.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42That's incredible. It just shows how hard it is to value something.
0:40:42 > 0:40:47If two people really want it, they'll fight for it.
0:40:49 > 0:40:54Our final lot is certainly not one to fade into the background.
0:40:54 > 0:41:01- There's a lot of money at stake here.- Perhaps.- You changed your mind, but I totally agree with you.
0:41:01 > 0:41:07Since the valuation day, the price of scrap metals has gone up and the melt value is £2,000 now.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11You've done the right thing. We've got a new reserve at £1,800.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15We're thinking of weight value, but that's only part of the equation.
0:41:15 > 0:41:20What we have here is one of the most prestigious silvermakers in America.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24Indeed, there is silverware in the White House by this maker,
0:41:24 > 0:41:29- so we're not just...- Will we find some American buyers, I wonder?
0:41:29 > 0:41:35- Barack Obama!- We are on the internet here. Can you imagine that? "Cup of tea, President?"
0:41:35 > 0:41:40Let's find out what happens. Let's see exactly what it's worth.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44This five-piece silver tea service and tray. Gorham silver.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47Approximately 140 ounces.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50And for the service...£2,000?
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Silver service for £2,000.
0:41:52 > 0:41:551,800? 1,500?
0:41:55 > 0:42:01With me at £1,500. Any advance? Here we go again!
0:42:01 > 0:42:0316. 17. 18.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07- 19. At 2,000. 2,100.- We've done it.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11I've got to go more. 2,150.
0:42:11 > 0:42:152,200. At 2,250.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19- Your bid at 2,250.- There. - Oh, wow, yes.
0:42:19 > 0:42:232,350. 2,400.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27- Gosh. Jane! What's happening? - At the door, 2,500.
0:42:27 > 0:42:33- This is what auctions are about. - The bid's at the door at £2,500.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38- Yes!- The hammer's gone down with a whack! £2,500.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42- Are you happy? - I can go away for the weekend now!
0:42:42 > 0:42:46- That will be a good weekend away! - I'm tingling!- It's great.- Gosh!
0:42:46 > 0:42:50- Great.- What a nice result. - Yeah, it sure was.
0:42:50 > 0:42:55- Have you got any more at home? - Some more.- Have you?! You're hanging onto that?
0:42:55 > 0:42:59- Now that this has gone, who knows? - Well, enjoy the money.
0:42:59 > 0:43:04What a wonderful way to end. I told you there was a big surprise.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06See you next time for many more.
0:43:22 > 0:43:26Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2012
0:43:27 > 0:43:29Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk