Bath Flog It!

Today we're in Bath, the city renowned worldwide

for its magnificent Georgian architecture.

This is the very regal Royal Crescent,

a Grade I listed terrace of 30 magnificent houses,

designed by the architect John Wood The Younger.

It's another of his grand designs that's our backdrop

for today's show. Welcome to Flog It!

This beautiful Georgian city has an interesting layout.

It's said that John Wood The Elder and his son, John Wood The Younger,

Bath's most notable architects of the time,

were interested in occult and masonic symbols.

Some of Bath's most famous streets viewed from the air

are said to form the shapes of the sun and the moon, and also a key -

all masonic symbols.

But more of that later.

John Wood The Younger designed the Assembly Rooms in 1769

and it rapidly became an essential part of Bath's social life.

The layout enabled people to dance, drink tea and play cards,

all under one roof.

But today, it's playing host to this lot!

Look at that magnificent queue!

The people of Somerset have turned up to get their antiques and collectables valued.

They're here to chat to our experts and ask them a few questions.

But there's one question they all have in common, which is...

ALL: What's it worth?

Our experts today include a pillar of the antiques world,

auctioneer Anita Manning.

Is this your husband here? Is it?

Can I put my arm round him?

And another Grade I listed expert, Mr David Barby.

I think that is absolutely wonderful and grotesque.

When they were first opened in 1771,

the Assembly Rooms were described as the most opulent and notable

of any in the kingdom.

We're going to make full use of this magnificent building today.

We're going to show you the dance room, the Octagon Room and the Tea Room.

But today, they're going to be filled with this lot,

Hundreds of people all wanting their antiques and collectables valued,

ready to flog it.

Today our team of experts, both off and on-screen,

will give their valuations to our crowd of hundreds.

We have a couple of playful items and something that goes

for serious money. But can you guess what?

We've definitely got our work cut out today,

it's a full house. The sun has started shining through

the windows on this magnificent building,

putting a smile on everybody's face.

Let's hope it gets even better when we send the lucky ones off to auction.

Let's take a closer look at what our experts have spotted so far.

Georgina, these are a wonderful pair of tangerine pyramids.

Please tell me where you got them?

Er, I've stolen them from a school.

They've just been sitting on the shelf, doing nothing,

and as head teacher, I have taken the decision

that we're going to sell them, for school.

-How long have they been there?

-At least 20 years.

I've been at the school 20 years

and they've been there forever.

-Do you know what they are?

Whitefriar. I only know that because a parent spotted them,

and that's when I took them off the shelf

and decided to start looking after them.

Whitefriars is one of the most prestigious glass-makers

in the history of British glass-making.

They were a London company, started the mid-1700s,

as James Powell and Company.

It became Whitefriars. The quality of the product has always been high.

During the 20th century, they employed some of the best designers.

This pair of vases belongs to that category.

The chap who designed this particular range

was called Geoffrey Baxter.

-Right.

-These things are very collectable now.

These were made probably 1968, '69?

They have a modernist look about them.

When we look, it's like a bark effect that we have.

And this was something quite modern,

it was a modern effect. And the colour,

to use that colour, orange, it was unusual

that that would have happened.

So...it blew cobwebs away

from former design, it gave people something new.

And, of course, I remember, late '60s,

oranges and lime greens and shocking pinks.

-Psychedelic!

-Psychedelic!

-Oh, it takes me back!

-Me too.

These are not the most expensive of the Geoffrey Baxter Whitefriars

but we do have a pair.

I would put an estimate of perhaps 100-150 on the pair.

Would you...or would the school...be happy?

I'm sure the school would be happy. The children will be happy!

-Do you think the children will miss them?

-They won't miss them

but they'll enjoy any money that's raised.

-That will go to what?

-The school council can decide

but I should think it will go towards more footballs and things for the playground.

Er, perhaps a reserve of £80?

That's fine, that's more than I thought.

-That's excellent.

-I shall be sad to see them go, actually!

While the valuations are taking place, it's a real treat for me

to be able to roam around this magnificent architectural delight.

There is so much to see and take in.

The balcony I'm on right now, overlooking David Barby down there,

is where the musicians would have been situated during the 18th century.

Great stars of the day, like Rauzzini, who Mozart wrote for,

came to Bath to sing and perform in front of hundreds of people.

You can understand why they travelled hundreds of miles

to perform in a wonderful venue like this.

Well, Brenda, what a lovely classical location.

But my word, what a spooky object you've brought in.

Yes, I have, I'm afraid.

Where on earth did you get these from?

They've been living in the kitchen drawer for years

and I think they came from my parents or my grandmother,

or...but I've always known them.

They are so gothic and so grotesque,

which is very fashionable at the moment,

anything gothic is very fashionable.

This is almost reminiscent of going into Highgate Cemetery, isn't it?

-Oh yes.

-Bones and skulls and goodness knows what.

What I like is the actual grip, which is in the form of a femur?

I think so, yes.

And then the actual nut-cracking section is the complete skull.

-That's right.

-It's also got, I've just seen it there,

a registration number. So this is a British production.

That will date it to, round about the 1918, 1920 period,

that sort of date.

And it's been in your family ever since that date?

I presume so, yes. What metal is it?

-It's a bronze/brass metal.

-Yes.

It has a lovely patination on it

and it just shows it has been used and you've built this up.

What were your parents like? Were they sort of interesting?

Did they have a macabre sense of humour?

No, I don't think so!

It's just the skull, and crossed bones!

I think it's maybe more likely my grandparents?

-Your grandparents.

-I think more likely.

-Right.

But it has an element of fun as well.

-Almost Treasure Island, doesn't it?

-Yes.

-Right, now, these you don't want.

-No.

-You've never used them, at all?

-Not properly, no.

-What do you mean, not properly?

Well, with hammering nails into the wall for the Christmas cards...

-You didn't do it with this!

-I did!

HE GASPS

It hasn't suffered much, thank goodness.

-I can't believe you did that! Like that?

-Well, tacks, you know.

I like this, I hope somebody's going to like this at auction.

-I don't think it has great value because it's not 19th century.

-No.

It's 20th century. I think somebody at auction would pay

round about £50-£80 for that.

That's pretty good!

And the reserve, in my opinion, if you agree,

would be £45.

-Right, that sounds fine.

-Is that OK?

-Thank you very much.

It's such a fascinating, spooky object!

From a slightly sinister item

to a spooky coincidence.

Just have a look at this.

It's rarely happened on "Flog It!"

-This is Gwen.

-Hello.

-This is David. They've never met before.

But you both have the identical objects.

How bizarre is that? Tell me all about your little mouse band.

It belonged to my husband's grandmother.

She gave it for my children to play with.

-But because it was quite sharp...

-Yes.

-..I wouldn't let the children play with it.

Unfortunately, it's actually been kept in the loft for 40 years.

Which has kept it in good working condition.

-Yes.

-And then all of a sudden, David came along

and I thought, "Oh, that's better condition than Gwen's!"

-Slightly. It is slightly, isn't it?

-Slightly, yes.

Let's hear your story then.

I came across mine roughly about 38 years ago.

I bought my first house.

Down in the bottom of the garden in the shed,

I found this band.

The Marx Merry Makers Jazz Band! Do you know what we should do?

Simultaneously, why don't we wind them up?

-Shall I do this one?

-Yeah.

The key's on my side.

OK, guys!

Look at the drummer!

SHE LAUGHS

Let's put the lock on that, let's stop that.

There's a little stop switch, you can stop it off

cos obviously, it would irritate the parents.

-An American design.

-Yes.

We know that because you thought yours was a Dudley design,

didn't you, because it says "Dudley" on the back of this one

and on this one, we've got New York City.

5th Avenue. Louis Marx & Co.

These were made in the very early part of the 1930s.

In 1930, they sold for 98 cents.

Now that's a lot of money back then, in 1930.

But clockwork toys were all the rage and they have been,

obviously since Schuco came on the market,

you know, those early 1900 tinplate toys.

Then tinplate toys fell out of fashion in the '60s,

they were dangerous, they were sharp-edged,

plastic toys took over.

-I think I'm going to say £200-£300.

-Yes.

With a reserve of £150.

-Yes.

-Yes, I think so.

-A fixed reserve?

-Yes.

-Won't go for a penny less?

-No.

But I'm pretty sure they'll do the 200-300.

I'm pretty sure yours will do the £300 mark,

because the condition is so good.

Right. I wonder if that one's rarer?

I don't know, and that's what I'm thinking.

I'm going to call the valuations the same.

And we could have a crescendo later on in the sale...

cos they could fly away. They could, couldn't they?

Well, it's that time, we're halfway through the day.

Let's remind ourselves what we're taking off to auction.

Those striking Whitefriars vases, from Georgina's school.

That very gothic-looking 20th-century

skull and crossbones nutcracker.

And Gwendolen and David's identical clockwork music boxes.

Today our auctioneers are in North Somerset,

in the coastal town of Clevedon, overlooking the Bristol Channel,

that bit of sea that separates South Wales

from Somerset and Devon.

This is where we're going to put our valuations to the test today, the Clevedon salerooms.

Marc Burridge, today's auctioneer, will be getting on the rostrum

and selling all of our items, hopefully at the top end of the estimate.

Look at this, look what he has to face -

a room, a sea of faces, packed full of bidders,

hopefully bidding on our lots.

I'm going down there to catch up with our owners. Let's get on with the sale.

Going under the hammer right now, we have a novelty item for you.

It's so novel, it's been used as a hammer, how about that?

-Banging nails in walls, is that right?

-Yes, for my Christmas cards.

-You've got to put them up with something, haven't you?

-I have.

-Get them into the woodwork.

What a wonderful nutcracker. Did you use it at Christmas time?

-It didn't really work that well.

-Doesn't work that well.

-No, no.

It was better as a hammer.

I think it's incredible, I love the idea, it's very gothic, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Gothic horror.

I think if Keith Richards was in the saleroom,

-he'd love to buy this.

-I wonder if they've sent him a catalogue?

I don't know. It's got that rock'n'roll feel about it.

-Maybe, yes.

-As David said, that whole gothic look too.

-Very.

-Hard rock.

-Hard rock.

-Oh, it's heavy metal, isn't it?

-No, it's hard rock.

He's got a leather jacket with a skull and crossbones on it,

-I know he has!

-And studs.

Anyway, let's find out what the bidders think.

It's going under the hammer now, good luck.

The novelty nutcrackers, formed as a skull and bones.

And we've got one, two, three, four, five commission bidders.

Always useful for me.

At 60, 70, 80...

What?!

£90.

Brilliant!

We've got 100. 100?

100? 95 bid, 100 with me...

I didn't expect it to go!

555.

£100...

£100.

Look at that, Brenda.

-Brilliant.

-That's the most unusual hammer I've ever seen.

-And what a price!

-Yes.

-That's absolutely great, isn't it?

-You're going to miss that now, aren't you?

I am, I've got to find something else, haven't I?

-I'll get you a hammer.

-Thank you!

Do you remember David and his clockwork toy?

Well, after the valuation day, he decided the item was too rare to sell and he's keeping it

for his new grandson to enjoy in the years to come.

But Gwendolen is still flogging hers.

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

I popped into hospital and had half a knee replacement,

which, er, I came out last Friday.

-Ooh, sounds painful!

-Yes, but hopefully it'll be better afterwards.

Now, what are you holding there?

That's the clock... That was my husband's grandmother,

who the toy belonged to and she gave it to my husband

for our children... My daughters are here. ..to play with.

-That's my husband's mother.

-Very good-looking family, aren't they?

Oh, but of course!

-How lovely.

-I thought you might like to see it.

-Isn't it sad selling this? Now you're making me feel like I've twisted your arm.

-No, not at all.

Here you are with a bad leg. I've twisted your arm

into selling this wonderful toy. It's a family heirloom!

No. It's been in the family for a long time

but it hasn't been on show for so long that it's a shame

for it to deteriorate in the loft.

I would like someone who collects it to...

I know we had bags of fun playing with that, winding them up.

Let's see if we can get that £300 figure.

-It would be nice if we could.

-That's what it's all about really.

It would be nice, yes, yes.

-If possible.

-That'll cheer you up.

-Oh, definitely!

-That'll definitely cheer you up!

-Let's find out what the bidders think, shall we?

-Yes.

A Louis Marx Merry Makers tinplate Mouse Band.

Oh, this is it.

In nice condition for its date, circa 1925.

With "Dudley" on the back. Interest...

There's one on the book here at £180.

That's OK cos the reserve was 150.

200, 220, 240, 260.

260 in the room, I'm out. 280 now, 280 I'm bid.

300? 320, no.

£300, middle of the room.

300 in the room.

Selling at £300 then...

We did it!

-Yes!

-Brilliant.

-And we did end with a crescendo, didn't we?

-We did.

Those mice know what they're doing.

-Yes, £300.

-That was good.

-Top end of the estimate.

-Yes, I'm very pleased, thank you!

I'd like to say to all the pupils at Kenley Primary School,

I hope you're watching this and enjoying the moment

with Georgina and Anita.

and I've just been given this.

HE LAUGHS

And I've just been given this.

And this has been drawn by Henry Palmer,

who's nine years old and he's in Year 5. Look at that.

Ta-da!

This is done by Angela, she's got me absolutely right!

And I'm holding the tangerine pyramid vase,

the textured glass vase, made by Whitefriars.

Tell me all about these vases. They've been used for paint pots,

-and flower pots...

-Everything... Holding doors open.

They've just been around school forever.

-Holding doors open!

-Yeah.

Mind you, Whitefriars glass is exceptionally heavy.

It's all moulded glass, there was a lot of them around in the '70s.

There were about 12 different colourways.

Obviously the collectors wanted the lot.

That's why they've sold well.

We're looking at £100 plus for these,

let's see what the bidders think.

Whitefriars tangerine glass triangle vase, and another.

Very similar. I've got one, two, three, four, five, six on the book.

Six bids in the book!

We start at 120.

Yes!

150, 160 I'm bid.

Any advance on £160?

All done then.

Selling with me, commission bid, on 160.

Well, that was short and sweet, wasn't it?

£160, kids! That's good.

The school council are going to spend £100 on toys for the playground.

So I'm glad they sold.

Although I grew really fond of them!

I'm a bit sad they're gone now.

Well, that concludes our first visit to the saleroom today.

It was touch and go in places.

I think the bidders were playing their cards quite close to their chest.

Before we return to the Assembly Rooms to look for some more antiques

to sell, I'm off to explore one of the oldest secret societies

in the country. Take a look at this.

I'm off to find Bath's Masonic Museum and Lodge.

It's located in the old Theatre Royal,

where Mason and museum curator Trevor Quartermaine is waiting for me.

Freemasons have a reputation for secrecy and intrigue.

But here in Bath, there are records of their meetings that date back

to the early 1700s.

Their presence in the city is revealed

with masonic icons dotted around some of the fine buildings here.

Intriguingly enough, there are none on this building,

Bath's Masonic Museum.

Shall we go inside and see if they'll reveal any secrets?

There we go, push the bell.

Do you push it once, twice or three times? I wonder if there's a code.

I'll try it three times.

-Hello, Trevor?

-Hello. Welcome to the old Orchard Street theatre

-and Masonic Museum.

-Pleased to meet you.

Was it the three rings or the one that got you?

It was the three rings, the three rings got me.

According to some scholars, Freemasonry traces its roots

back to the building of King Solomon's temple in Jerusalem

in 967 BC.

But the general consensus is that the society evolved

from the organisation of stonemasons

who built the great cathedrals and castles of the Middle Ages.

Gosh, look at this.

You know, I wasn't expecting an interior like this.

It's almost like a temple. It's very deceiving.

From the outside, very, very severe exterior.

On the inside, quite opulent and overwhelming, impressive.

Is this where the Lodge meets, this is where the meetings are?

The seven Craft Lodges meet here

and some of the 13 associated side degrees also meet here in this building.

That chair is obviously the most important chair in the room.

It's almost like a throne. Who sits on that?

A Worshipful Master sits on that.

He's Worshipful Master for his Lodge for one year,

unless something unfortunate happens.

How many people today attend the meetings here?

10 years ago, there were 660 members meeting here.

Now it's 274. So it gives you an idea.

-Male and female?

-No, no females at all.

-Just male.

-It's only in France that females can attend the same Lodge meeting as men.

-OK.

-The reason for that in this country

is that for two of the ceremonies,

the person has to produce a naked left breast

and that wouldn't be appropriate in mixed company.

There is a ladies' Lodge here in Bath - it's called Aquae Sulis and they meet up at the university.

I'm not being cheeky but it's got a sense of the, sort of,

Harry Potter-ness about it, with all the heraldic shields

and you know, the symbolism, hasn't it? It's a bit Harry Potter-ish.

It is. It's because everything within Freemasonry

is veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols,

which, of course, is what Harry Potter is.

That's caught my eye. It's all hand-painted, it's beautiful.

Are they screens or does it open up?

There are three separate boards and they're called tracing boards.

There's one for each of the three degrees in Craft Freemasonry.

These are an aide-memoire for the Master and the two wardens

to explain to the new candidate coming into Freemasonry

what's expected of him.

And allegorically, you come in as rough ashlar,

that's that rough piece of stone there.

Then the master and the two wardens, by means of education,

or allegorically by means of a maul and a chisel,

turn you from that, knock off your rough edges,

that's where the expression comes from,

turn you into a perfect ashlar, the thing on the other side,

which will fit anywhere into a building or more especially,

fit you to enter a regularly ordered society.

What are the benefits for being a Freemason?

-Comradery with other people.

-Is it business networking?

There's no business networking at all.

In fact, we've found it very difficult here to get planning permission

for various projects we've wanted to do on this site,

so we certainly don't get any advantage for being a Freemason.

For a supposed secretive society,

it seems somewhat ironic that they have a museum.

But Freemasonry has always had a mysterious, almost underworld, reputation,

despite the fact it's reputed to have

over six million members worldwide,

and has an alumni including Winston Churchill, Peter Sellers,

and even Oscar Wilde.

The museum is tucked away in vaults underneath the main Lodge.

Freemasons didn't always have a grand room for their gatherings.

This is a reconstruction of a meeting that would have taken place

in a pub in the early 1800s.

Everything, as you can see, is scaled down in size.

It's made portable, so it could be taken away and then put back

into a place for another meeting, maybe in a different pub.

But even back then, symbolism and ritual played a key role

in all the proceedings.

The members wore decorative aprons

with the all-seeing eye watching over everyone present.

Can anybody be a Freemason, of any age, any religion?

It's really ecumenical. You can be Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim,

Christian, whatever you like, as long as you believe in a supreme being,

power, force, thing, it, that created and controls the universe.

Let's just talk about the secrecy about the handshake.

Every schoolboy knows there's one involved, isn't there?

There is... There's a mystery about it.

There's more than one involved but they arise from the time

of the ancient stonemasons where there were three parts of their apprenticeship.

So if they were, say, building Winchester Cathedral,

and that's finished and they come up to Salisbury,

how does the guy in charge of Salisbury know

that this guy is a qualified mason?

-And it's by the handshake.

-By the handshake.

So if he passes the first part of the apprenticeship,

there is one handshake and one password.

If he passes the second part of the apprenticeship,

there's another pass grip and password.

-And finally, when he becomes a master mason...

-I see.

That means he can build flying buttresses that won't fall down

on the bishop, there's a final pass grip and password.

-That's all they are.

-That's all it is. As simple as that.

Nothing else is secret.

The penalty for lying was to have your right hand struck off,

so that you couldn't work again.

Could you turn up at one of your meetings in casual clothes

or do you have to be suited?

Not here, you couldn't. You have to be suited.

But abroad, America, for instance,

-you can turn up in shorts...

-Trainers.

-..trainers, whatever you like.

What is clear is that Freemasons have a respect for craftsmanship.

All the items here are for symbolic purpose only.

But what I see, I really do like.

And hopefully, that's a respect of crafts and building,

and nothing more sinister.

I've got to say, it's been absolutely fascinating.

Thank you so much for showing me around today.

I suppose, really, we should finish on a handshake.

-Thanks for coming, Paul.

-A special one?

Well, from a secret society to a valuation day,

where everybody's welcome. We're back at the Bath Assembly Rooms,

and it's now time for me to join up with our experts

to see what else we can find to take off to auction.

But first, here's something to keep everyone inside entertained,

while they wait patiently for their valuations.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to put your hands together

in a moment because we've got a real treat.

We have the Bath Minuet Company who are going to be performing a court dance and country dances

as they would have been played out in the 18th century.

So, a big round of applause!

Take it away!

It's known that Jane Austen frequented the Assembly Rooms

during her time at Bath.

She may well have joined in one of these very dances.

It's good, isn't it?

STATELY DANCE MUSIC

APPLAUSE

Jenny, when you look at the magnificent surroundings

that we're working in today,

and then we come to this very interesting object

that we have here, and it's a commemorative set

for the coronation in 1937.

Well, this is an amazing set.

We have the coronation coach here

-and we have George...

-VI.

-And...

-Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

So it's our present Queen's father and mother.

Right, OK, we have that there.

And we have an entourage of horse soldiers. Is this a Beefeater?

I think so, yes.

And he's a rather grand-looking character there.

Now, Jenny, tell me where you got this. Give me the history of it!

Well, it belonged to my paternal grandfather,

I think it's quite a boy's toy, really.

It's a boy's toy.

You weren't really all that interested in it.

No, the only other person who was vaguely interested

was my brother, but he's really happy for it to go as well.

-OK.

-It's been pretty neglected over the...

-It's been neglected.

-Yeah.

This is quite a big commemorative set

and it's in the original box.

-The box is not in good condition.

-No.

-And we see that

our bands to fit on have almost disappeared.

It's Johillco And Company.

And they made... I suppose after Britains, they were the most famous maker of toy soldiers.

These ones are made of lead

and they went on to make plastic soldiers.

They weren't expensive items

and this set, it would have been bought in Woolworths as a gift.

The estimate I would put on it would be...maybe £60-£80.

-Right.

-Are you happy to let it go at that?

Yes, I'd be happy to let it go at that.

Let's put it to auction, £60-£80.

-A reserve of...maybe 55?

-I'd prefer if you could make it 60?

Of course, of course, we'll put it at 60.

-Firm, with no discretion on that.

-Yes, that would be fine.

That's fine, we'll put it into auction.

Normally at our valuation days, the items come to us in the room,

but there's something outside which is so big,

we could not get it in the room. And here it is.

It's a Rover P2. Hello, what's your name?

-Alan.

-And what's your name?

-Maggie.

-And who's this?

-Dollop.

-Dollop?

That's a strange name for a Jack Russell! Hello, Dollop.

Oh, you're only a pup, aren't you?

But I love your car as well.

That's gorgeous. How long have you had it?

Since 2004.

-Not that long.

-Not that long, no.

That is a very good practical classic.

Why do you want to sell it?

-I want to get something different.

-Do you?

-Another classic car?

-Another classic car.

-Can I have a quick peep inside?

-You may.

Wow, the condition is just as good on the inside as it is on the exterior.

Have you done much to this car?

I've had the seating and everything else reupholstered

in leather. It was in Bedford cord before and it was...awful.

Do you know what, back in 1947, this car was quite a lot of money,

you had to be quite well-off to buy one, it was about £700.

Doctors, solicitors, people like that.

An academic's car.

Thank you for coming here today and showing me the car.

Sorry we can't help... Couldn't get it in the room, or in the saleroom!

-Wouldn't fit on one of those tables!

-You're better off selling it privately.

I think in today's market, £8,000 plus

but looking at the condition, you might be looking at a bit more,

-maybe 9,000. What does she run like?

-Lovely.

-You can have a drive if you wish.

-Can I?

Do you know something, the sun's shining.

Just once around the circus. Can I do it?

-Yes!

-Can I grab the keys and jump in?

-Yes.

-You come with me.

Do you know what, that was absolutely fabulous.

I couldn't resist having a little go.

And just sitting here, behind the wheel,

looking at that long bonnet in front of you with those big chrome headlights,

made me feel so important, going around this roundabout.

Very nice. Thank you so much!

Guess I'd better get back to our experts and help them out -

there's a lot of people there!

David Barby has found our last item of the day.

He's talking to Janita, who's got some gaming boards.

Let's take a closer look.

Janita, I was hoping that when we were filming at Bath,

that something would come along that would evoke,

let's say, the late Georgian Regency period.

And these boxes fall into that category.

Where did these come from?

My mother was a great collector of Victorian treasures

and after I left home and went abroad,

she said she had to do something to fill up her time.

She particularly loved mother-of-pearl

and had an extensive collection of mother-of-pearl.

I believe she found these in local antiques shops in Bath.

-Oh right, in Bath itself?

-Yes.

Outside, they look rather...I wouldn't say "tatty"

but they look as though they've suffered somewhere along the line.

But they would do, these are Oriental boxes.

They're lacquer, lacquer is not a stable material.

The glory of these boxes is when I take off the lid...

to reveal what the original lacquer work should have been.

Inside, we have a collection of the most glorious mother-of-pearl counters.

They've always been in your family home, have they?

Yes, they've been in the home for over 50 years.

And did you actually ever use them to play?

I wasn't allowed to and nor were the grandchildren.

Ah, very sensibly, cos these are lovely gaming pieces.

These are the more valuable, the circular ones.

And when I look at them, each piece is engraved with the family initials.

Oh, it's my initial, "B". I'm a Barby.

-Right.

-So these are glorious pieces, which are gaming pieces.

So when you have the Assembly Rooms like this in Bath,

you would have an element of gaming or assignations for gaming later.

And these would have been the gaming pieces they would have used.

We have circular ones and these delightful oval ones.

Each piece is beautifully engraved.

They date from...let's say about 1800, 1820, that sort of period.

These are made for the upper classes,

-the Jane Austen crowd.

-Good.

These would have been commissioned probably from somewhere like China.

I had thought they were Indian.

They have a very... If I say Oriental,

it covers a wide spectrum.

Normally you associate the mother-of-pearl counters

-with China.

-I see.

But this decoration here, you're quite correct,

is very much in the Indian manner.

But not only have you got this box,

but you also have...another box,

which is equally as beautiful inside.

And here, I think you see more of a Chinese influence...

-Yes.

-..in the design.

Inside, we have the counters, but not as many counters

as in the other box. And you also have...

bezique markers in here.

So you have this pocket guide to Imperial,

issued by De La Rue.

And then these are the whist markers.

These are beautifully made out of rosewood and ivory.

Not so many markers, but equally as attractive.

I'd like to be very conservative on the estimates

to attract a good market.

And I'm going to put a comparatively reasonable estimate

of £250-£300 on this box,

-and on the other box, round about 125-150.

-Yes.

But I'm absolutely positive that they will go much higher...

-Excellent!

-..than that figure that I've mentioned.

Can I suggest that we put the reserve at £240 on this one.

-Yes.

-And on this one, we'll take the lower figure of 125.

-Excellent.

-They will be the reserves.

They will guard it from going too cheaply but at the end of the day,

-you'll be pleasantly surprised.

-Thank you very much.

I've got my favourites, you've probably got yours.

Our experts have now made their final choices,

so it's time to say goodbye to our regal surroundings, the Assembly Rooms,

as we head off to auction for the last time.

Let's hope we have a few surprises. Here's what we're taking with us.

Jenny's coronation carriage, royal figures and accompanying footmen.

And finally, those Oriental 18th-century gaming boxes.

How will they fare with the current unpredictable Chinese market?

Here we are, back in Clevedon, with three more lots

to go under the hammer.

The room's packed and everyone's poised.

Let's hope the bidders come through for our owners today.

It was gathering dust in the attic

but it's got to go because the money's going on some fruit trees.

-Yes, I'm going to buy a pear tree or two, hopefully...

-Lovely.

..in a new bit of land I've just bought.

Plant up an orchard! Fabulous, fabulous.

You've probably forgotten what we're selling, haven't you?

We are selling the coronation lead figures from May 12th, 1937.

It's a good year to sell this in.

-Why are you selling them?

-It's been a family heirloom,

which has, you know, really just been sitting neglected a bit.

Nice set, though. Nice set.

We've got the box, we've got the soldiers,

-we've got everything.

-At £60-£80, it's good value for money.

There's a lot there.

But unfortunately, it stands alone here today.

There are no other lead figures or toys

or any memorabilia of that kind.

-Hopefully the bidders will find it on the internet.

-Yeah.

You never know, they might be here, it's jam-packed,

there's a wonderful atmosphere, let's see how it does.

-Ready, Jenny?

-OK.

-Let's put it to the test. Here we go.

The lead figures in the original box with the printed label,

start me here, 45, give me 50 now,

50, 50, 50,

50, 50, 50, 50, 50 bid,

5 here, 60 now, in the room, and 5.

Come on. It's struggling.

70, 75, 5 and 80.

80 here? 80, 80, 80, 80 this side, anyone?

80, 80, 80, bid's close to me here,

at £75.

80, anyone else? Selling on the 75 there.

Bang on mid-estimate, £75.

-75.

-That's not bad.

-75.

-Yes, that's not bad.

-How many apple trees will that buy you?

-At least two,

-maybe three.

-You're smiling at the thought of it.

-Yes.

-It should get you three, shouldn't it?

-Should do, definitely.

-Plant something up and watch it grow.

-Yes.

-And think of England!

-And think of England!

That's exactly what Janita did, when she hopped on a plane

to join us here today.

Two Chinese gaming boxes, brought along by Janita,

who flew in to the valuation day at Bath,

-all the way from Istanbul.

-I couldn't resist it!

-Oh, bless you!

This is real quality. I had a chat to the auctioneer about this,

definitely Chinese, definitely 19th century, made for the export market,

you were right, your hunch was there.

But my word, those little counters!

-Beautifully engraved.

-The mother-of-pearl counters, stunning!

Split into two lots, I think these are going to fly away.

A comprehensive set, full, there's a lot of it as well,

the condition is very, very good.

I think the condition is good, there's just one lot where we have later pieces added.

-Good luck, both of you.

-Thank you.

-This is it.

The Chinese lacquered games box there.

One telephone, how many telephones? Two, three on the phones.

Three on the phone!

Three telephones here this morning. On the book then

at 240, 260, 280,

300, 320, my bid, 320,

340, 360...

Now a bid in the room, look.

420, 440, 460, 480,

500, 520, 560, 580, 600...

Auctions, don't you just love them?

700, 750, 800...

800, against all the phones...

800, 850, 900...

Come on, let's get 1,000.

-1,000.

-Yes!

1,100...

It was worth that flight, wasn't it?

1,300. 1,400. 1,500...

-Did he anticipate this much on valuation day?

-No, he didn't.

On the phone at 1,400.

-Look...

-Just finding out!

1,500 on the second phone.

1,500!

-1,600...

-1,600!

-1,700.

1,800. 1,900.

-This is what auctions are all about.

-Wow!

2,000.

2-1, 2-2...

-This is just the first lot.

-2-3...

-2-4.

-2-5...

2-5, 2-6...

Selling at £2,500 then.

The hammer's gone down. Such a tiny little tap,

it should have been a... £2,500.

That's the first one, that is incredible.

Absolutely incredible. I'm tingling, are you tingling?

-I'm very pleased!

-Fazed, are you fazed?

I'm going to sell lot 297 which is a similar box.

Who's going to come in 1,500?

I'll go in £100 bids. 1,500,

1,600, 1,700, 1,800, 1,900...

I wonder if it goes to the same buyer?

2-1...

2-2...

2-2.

This was the later pieces as well.

2-3, 2-4,

2-5, 2-6.

Gosh.

2-7.

Wow, this one's even more desirable.

2-9, 3,000.

-£3,000!

-It's exciting.

3,000, 3-2,

3-4... No.

£3,200 then. And selling at... 3-4?

3-4, late legs.

3-6... 3-8...

Gosh...

No. £3,600 then. Where we were before.

£3,600!

Plus your other. £6,100!

That's marvellous, that's beyond my expectations.

-You didn't see that coming, David, did you?

-I didn't.

-800.

-I really looked at the boxes and I did not think they were in pristine condition.

Amazing! I came over for the birth of my fourth grandchild

so not only have I got a baby grandson...

But you've got a wonderful £6,000!

I'm so delighted for you.

-Beyond all expectations.

-That's the beauty of the auction room.

You just cannot predict what's going to happen.

We told you there was going to be a surprise and boy, did we end with one!

Thanks for joining us. See us again soon for many more.

Until then, it's goodbye from all of us.

-And well done you.

-Thank you very much indeed!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd