0:00:03 > 0:00:06Our valuation day venue has grown from a quiet market town
0:00:06 > 0:00:09to one of the world's biggest ports in the 1900s...
0:00:10 > 0:00:14..to this cool, cosmopolitan capital city.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Today we're in Cardiff, and this is Flog It!
0:00:37 > 0:00:41Cardiff owes its international feel thanks to the dockworkers and sailors
0:00:41 > 0:00:45from around the world that first settled here in the 19th century.
0:00:45 > 0:00:52Over 45 different nationalities have come together to create Cardiff's unique multicultural character.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58So I'm looking forward to seeing some eclectic items on today's show.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01Today we're holding our valuation day
0:01:01 > 0:01:03in an unmistakeably Welsh building,
0:01:03 > 0:01:06the National Museum here in Cardiff.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10People have travelled from far and wide to have their antiques and collectables valued.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14They're here to ask our experts lots of questions about their items.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18But there's one question they all have in common, which is...
0:01:18 > 0:01:20CROWD: What's it worth?
0:01:20 > 0:01:22They're gonna find out, and so are you!
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Joining me in the hunt for the very best antiques
0:01:26 > 0:01:29is the terribly sophisticated Catherine Southon.
0:01:29 > 0:01:30What can you tell me about this?
0:01:32 > 0:01:34It's very nice!
0:01:35 > 0:01:40And the undoubtedly worldly, but Welsh by origin, Mark Stacey.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42She's certainly got something about her.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44I'm not quite sure what!
0:01:47 > 0:01:52So, what are we waiting for? Let's get this magnificent queue inside this wonderful building.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56All settled into the Grand Hall, where hopefully it's going to be a perfect day.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58- Are you ready to go in?- Yes!
0:01:58 > 0:02:00Come on, then. Follow me!
0:02:01 > 0:02:05We've got a diverse range of objects from all over the world on today's programme.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08But can you guess which of these two exotic lots
0:02:08 > 0:02:10makes the most at auction?
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Is it the 19th-century Cantonese porcelain bowl,
0:02:14 > 0:02:18or this collection of Indian landscape miniature paintings?
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Well, keep watching and you will find out.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26As you can see, everybody is now safely seated inside, including myself,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29so it's time we got on with the valuations.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31It looks like Mark is first at the tables.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Let's take a closer look at what he's spotted.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37- Elizabeth.- Hi, there.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40- We talked in the queue. - We did that, indeed.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43- And I spotted this.- I'm glad you did.- A little travelling ink well.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46And you have a lovely story. It belonged to your late mother.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50It did belong to my mother. Unfortunately, she died before Christmas.
0:02:50 > 0:02:55And a follower of Flog It. She wouldn't miss a programme.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59She used to say to me very often, "I wish they would come nearer home."
0:02:59 > 0:03:01She lived outside Llanelli in west Wales.
0:03:01 > 0:03:07And she'd say, "If they did we could go and I'd take this and have it valued and maybe sell it on."
0:03:07 > 0:03:12- So you saw we were coming today and you brought it along.- It was a message from elsewhere, I think!
0:03:12 > 0:03:14Well.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17I hope that she's smiling down on me today and I've done the right thing.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19I hope she's smiling down at me, as well.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21- I hope I give you the right estimate.- I hope so, as well!
0:03:21 > 0:03:25Let's look at the item. We know it's a little leather box.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27And actually it's quite interesting.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30We'll pick it up, touch the little button there
0:03:30 > 0:03:32and it'll spring open
0:03:32 > 0:03:35and inside we've got a little interior
0:03:35 > 0:03:37which is gilt metal.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- And then you push this one, I think. - That's right.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44And you open that up and you've got a little ink well inside.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49It's nicely fitted there, so that when that is down,
0:03:49 > 0:03:51it's really snug on the glass.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- It stops the ink from spilling around.- Yeah.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00And this you would have taken almost like a mobile stationery cabinet.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- Yes.- You would have had this with your letter.- Very useful.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06This is a nice example because it's in very good condition.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11- And it probably dates to around about 1900.- Right.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13- Pretty good.- It's over 100 years old.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16We've got a nice engraving on there.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18And this is embossed with leather.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20It's got that nice feeling...
0:04:20 > 0:04:23It's very tactile, isn't it?
0:04:23 > 0:04:26There's not a huge commercial market for it,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- because what do you do with them these days?- That's right. Yes.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- Have you ever thought about the value yourself?- No idea, to be quite honest. No.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37I think it's one of those items we have a little bit of fun with.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39If it's all right with you, Elizabeth.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43I'd certainly like the estimate to be around 30 or £40, something like that.
0:04:43 > 0:04:49- Yes.- Now, on those sort of figures, you have to decide do you want to put a reserve or not.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51How would you feel about that?
0:04:51 > 0:04:54No, I'd just like to see what interest it has at the auction.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57Just trust the auctioneer to do the best they can.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00But I hope, because of the condition of it,
0:05:00 > 0:05:04and because it's got that really strong decorative appeal inside,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- that we might pen a nice profit! - That's right!
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Well, I hope we can do Elizabeth's mum proud with that ink well.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16Now over to Catherine, who's about to uncover her first item.
0:05:16 > 0:05:22- It's wonderful to come up here and get a real feel for the sense of the building.- It is.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- It's a fantastic building.- It's a lovely building.- It really is.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29But I am equally excited about what you're holding.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31It is absolutely fantastic.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35This is something that I would desperately love to own myself.
0:05:35 > 0:05:42What you've got is a Victorian, 1860 in date, spice tower.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46So we have these little sections
0:05:46 > 0:05:51which would have contained different types of spices.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55At the top, we've got the paper label that's been applied
0:05:55 > 0:05:58for mace, nutmeg and all spice.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02Sometimes you see these towers that are slightly longer.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07They've got additional sections for additional spices.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10But this is a really nice one, just with three sections.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Tell me, where did you get this from, Janet?
0:06:13 > 0:06:17It belonged to my mother. It was in the house for a while,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20but she didn't get it from any further back than that.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- She actually got it in a jumble sale!- Oh, did she?
0:06:23 > 0:06:25- The legendary jumble sale, yes, she did.- A jumble sale.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- What did she pay for it in her jumble sale? Does she know?- Yes.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31- 10p!- Ten pence.- Yes.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35Well, can I tell you that your mother had a very good eye
0:06:35 > 0:06:38because this is a fantastic piece.
0:06:38 > 0:06:39A nice piece of kitchenalia
0:06:39 > 0:06:43that you could have in your country cottage today on your dresser.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48I would do anything to own this. I think it's absolutely fantastic.
0:06:48 > 0:06:54Estimate-wise, we could put an estimate on of 100 to £150
0:06:54 > 0:06:56and I think it will do that all day long.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00I'd like to be a bit tentative and put 80 to 120,
0:07:00 > 0:07:02just to pull everyone in.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06I think this is going to make nearer £200.
0:07:06 > 0:07:13- It's fabulous. Thank you very much for bringing it in, Janet.- I'm glad you like it.- It's brilliant.- Good.
0:07:13 > 0:07:14That's a great little find.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18But there's some altogether more classical objects here
0:07:18 > 0:07:20that I want to show you.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23As we're in such a remarkable location,
0:07:23 > 0:07:27I had to steal myself away from the experts and the valuation tables
0:07:27 > 0:07:32to take a closer look at some of the other treasures that are on show here at the National Museum.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35There's one particular one that I really want to show you.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37It's over here.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45It's titled The Kiss. Many of you may know that.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47This is one of several versions by Rodin,
0:07:47 > 0:07:51one of the greatest sculptors of the 19th century, a Frenchman.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54It's twice the size of the original one.
0:07:54 > 0:07:59It's Paulo and Francesca, a scene from Dante's poem The Inferno.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04Two lovers. Sadly Francesca's husband catches them
0:08:04 > 0:08:05and kills them both.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12But this piece is acclaimed for its intimacy and technical achievements.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Its mastery, really. It's absolutely stunning.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17From every direction you can look at this sculpture.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22It's interesting to gauge people's perception on things like this.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26When it was first exhibited in certain parts of the country in 1913,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29it was deemed a little bit risque and a blanket was thrown over it!
0:08:29 > 0:08:34But thankfully, when it was first shown here in Cardiff around that time, people embraced it.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36They were liberal-minded, I think.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39And I know recently some guy had the gallery closed off
0:08:39 > 0:08:42so he could propose to his girlfriend in front of this statue.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45That's a really nice thing to do. So romantic.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47That's just so beautiful.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Well, that's enough musing over art.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54It's time we caught up with our experts and see what else we can find to take to auction.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05Roy, you've brought along a lovely Albert chain and some sovereigns for us to have a look at.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- Tell me where you got these from. - It was my father's.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12He used to wear it on his waistcoat with a silver watch.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Where was he off to when he was wearing his finery?
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Probably down the Municipal Club, something like that.
0:09:17 > 0:09:22- What did your father do?- He was a gravedigger.- Oh. Right.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25He was a miner originally, in the Forest of Dean.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28So he moved from mining to grave-digging?
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- Correct.- I suppose that's a sort of similar connection.- Yes.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- Still digging away!- Yes.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Let's have a look more closely at these and talk about them individually.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41We've got a few separate items here.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45First, we've got the Albert chain which your father wore once upon a time.
0:09:45 > 0:09:50It's nine-carat gold. At the bottom here we've got a full sovereign.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53The value of the Albert chain by itself
0:09:53 > 0:09:57would be purely on the weight around £300.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59We know that gold is selling well at the moment.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02And this sovereign, it is a little bit damaged on the back,
0:10:02 > 0:10:04there's a few scratches.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08In good condition, we'd be looking at about £200,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11but it's probably a bit less than that, maybe around 150.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14This one is in slightly better condition.
0:10:14 > 0:10:15This is another full sovereign.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18We'd be looking at around £200 for that.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22And then £100, 150, for the half-sovereign.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- So there we've got quite a nice little lot.- Yes.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28About 600 to £800.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- How does that sound to you?- Very good.- Very good. It's not bad.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- Do you think your dad would be happy about that?- I think so, yes.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36I'll see you at the auction.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48I think it's time we put those valuations to the test, don't you?
0:10:48 > 0:10:50This is where it gets interesting.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53Let's up the tempo. Anything can happen.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56Stay tuned, follow us to the auction room. Here's what we're taking.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01Elizabeth's 1900s ink well is a great little find for a collector.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06I can't believe Janet's mum picked up this spice rack
0:11:06 > 0:11:08for just ten pence!
0:11:10 > 0:11:13And fingers crossed the gold prices remain high
0:11:13 > 0:11:16and we get a great result for those sovereigns and chain.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23Here we are at the Anthemion auction rooms in Cardiff.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25I expect you're wondering where all the people are.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Why isn't it busy? Well, it's because it's auction preview day
0:11:28 > 0:11:32and I've come to have a chat to auctioneer Ryan Beech,
0:11:32 > 0:11:34the man on the rostrum tomorrow,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36to get the low-down on auction etiquette.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- Ryan, hello. Good to see you again. - And you.- It's nice to be back here.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50We've got some cracking lots.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52But I'm here to pick your brains today.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55You've been in the business for well over 20 years.
0:11:55 > 0:12:01What advice could you give to somebody who wants to put something into auction for the first time,
0:12:01 > 0:12:02a vendor who wants to sell something.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Very similar to the way you do it with your valuation days.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07We hold regular valuation days
0:12:07 > 0:12:11- and people bring in one item or 25 boxes of items.- Sure.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14You discuss a value with them that you both agree to
0:12:14 > 0:12:16- and you can set a reserve.- Yes.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20People are frightened to sell something because it might not sell and they'll be charged a fortune.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24- Yes.- So if it doesn't sell, do they have to pay for anything?
0:12:24 > 0:12:27We charge an unsold fee of £10 plus VAT.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30That covers our administration and cataloguing costs.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35They're illustrated online with these types of sale and in the catalogue.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37It covers those sorts of costs, really.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- And the insurance and the photography.- Absolutely.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41You do a lot of work behind the scenes.
0:12:41 > 0:12:48Do you contact many top-end collectors and dealers and museums and people all around the world,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51do you flag up this as a point of interest,
0:12:51 > 0:12:55to say, "We're selling this in two weeks' time, are you interested?"
0:12:55 > 0:12:57We do that on their behalf.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01We use also different companies that the catalogues are posted on.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05Our website, our catalogues are there fully illustrated on the website
0:13:05 > 0:13:06as and when they're done.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10- So if you collect, I don't know... - Tea caddies.- ..tea caddies,
0:13:10 > 0:13:14you'll be notified by email from those companies that there's one coming up.
0:13:14 > 0:13:20There are companies out there that you can subscribe to for about three pounds a month
0:13:20 > 0:13:23and whatever tea caddy is being sold in this country,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25- they will notify you by email. - Absolutely.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Good luck tomorrow with our lots. I can't wait to see which one's going to fly.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31I'm playing a guessing game with myself!
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- It's quite exciting.- It is, yes.
0:13:33 > 0:13:38We may be primed on all things auction, but are the bidders raring to go?
0:13:38 > 0:13:42It is now sale day, so let's see what they make of our first lot.
0:13:43 > 0:13:44Good luck, Elizabeth, good luck Mark.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46This is bound to sell cos there's no reserve.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50Dangerous game to play. It could sell for a fiver. We don't want that to happen
0:13:50 > 0:13:52because this is real quality.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56We are talking about that wonderful leather-cased travelling ink well.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- It's beautiful.- Lovely condition. The leather's good.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- I think we're looking at 40 to £60. - I hope so.- That's what I'd like to see.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06I'd love to see it make that. Love to.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09A leather-covered travelling ink well in integral form.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13Commission bids here. Start me straight in at £20.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- 20 I have. 20. 22. 25.- That's good.
0:14:15 > 0:14:1725. 28. 30.
0:14:17 > 0:14:1932. 35. With me at £35. With me.
0:14:19 > 0:14:2238. 40.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25At £40. With me at 40. With me on a commission bid.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27At £40. With me at £40.
0:14:27 > 0:14:28At £40 with me. At 42.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31At 42. Takes me out at 42.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34At £42. At £42. The gentleman seated at 42 now.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37At £42. At 42. At £42. Are we all done?
0:14:37 > 0:14:38At 42.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42Yes. Hammer's gone down. £42. Mum would have loved that!
0:14:42 > 0:14:46- Loved that, yes.- She wanted it to be sold on Flog It. She loved Flog It.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48- She would that.- And we did it. - Yes, indeed.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- It'll go towards a nice meal out this evening.- Good.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54- That was a fair price for it, I think.- Yes.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Enjoy your slap-up meal, Elizabeth!
0:15:00 > 0:15:04I expect you've heard several times by now it's a good time to sell gold.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Everybody's saying, "There's never been a better time."
0:15:07 > 0:15:11When the economy is down, the prices go up for precious metals.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Now, we're selling right now. Roy is putting under the hammer
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- a half sovereign, a full sovereign, another sovereign and a gold Albert chain.- Absolutely.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20There's a lot of gold there, isn't there?
0:15:20 > 0:15:23- There is.- And this is Dad's gold. - It's Dad's, yes.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26600 to £800. Hopefully, we'll get the top end of that estimate.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30So let's find out, shall we, what the market dictates.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- Let's find out what they're worth with the bidders in Cardiff. Good luck!- Thank you.
0:15:34 > 0:15:39Lot 184 is the Victorian gold sovereign dated 1888.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42The George V gold half sovereign,
0:15:42 > 0:15:46another sovereign and the Albert chain. Lot 184.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49£500 I have to start. £500. At £500.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Ten is there, now, at 500. 510.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54520. 530. 540.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56550 takes me out. At 550 now.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58At 560.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01570. 580.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03- 590. 600.- It's going in the room. - 610. 620.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05630. 640.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07650. 660.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- 670. 680.- This is getting good!- 690.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11700.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15And ten? At £700. In the corner at 700.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18At £700 in the corner. At 700. 710.
0:16:19 > 0:16:20720.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22730. 740. At 740.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24In the corner at 740.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26750? 750.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28At 750 on the telephone now.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30At £750.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32- Happy with that?- 760. - Someone's just shouted.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35770? 770.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37780.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39- That's very good.- 790.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42At £790, on the telephone.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44At 790. Are we all done?
0:16:44 > 0:16:46At £790.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49- Brilliant. The hammer's gone down. - Fantastic. Well done.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52That's a very good price, because whoever's bought those
0:16:52 > 0:16:54has to pay 17.5% VAT on top of that.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- Yep.- But that's a good result.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Roy, you've got to be happy with that?
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- Thanks very much indeed. - Well done, Roy.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08We're going to spice things up right now.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12I'm joined by Janet and we're going to put the three-tier spice tower under the hammer.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15Lovely, lovely example of a Victorian one.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17I love the sections. They're all in very good condition.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21All the graphics, the lettering, is in very good condition.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- I knew you'd love this. - I do. It's a tactile thing.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27I've got a five-tier one at home, slightly earlier.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30I think it's apple wood or pear wood. It's definitely a fruitwood.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35- It's gorgeous. The condition will make this go away at the top end. - Very good.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38It's got to. £120, it must do!
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Let's put it to the test. Here we go.
0:17:40 > 0:17:45Lot 600 is the 19th-century fruitwood spice tower.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47Mace, nutmeg and all spice. Lot 600.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Numerous commission bids here.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Start me straight in at £160.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53£160 I have to start.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55£160.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57At £160. 170 is there now?
0:17:57 > 0:17:59At £160. Straight in at 160 now.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03At £160. 160. Are we all done, then?
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- At £160.- Lovely.- Straight in and straight out.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- 160.- That is amazing! - Cracking result.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14- That's really good!- But they are incredibly rare in good condition.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- There's a lot around, but they always have chips and knocks. - Damage.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21- They've lost their lettering. Perfect. And that's down to you. - A great ten pence worth!
0:18:25 > 0:18:27There you are. So far, so good.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29That concludes our first visit to the sale room today.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32We're coming back here later, so don't go away.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34But as we often see on the show,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37a lot of items go in and out of fashion.
0:18:37 > 0:18:42They dip and rise, and the market dictates that. And also it affects the values of those items.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45But as I found out on a trip across the west coast of Wales,
0:18:45 > 0:18:49it's not just items and antiques that go in and out of fashion. So do towns.
0:18:49 > 0:18:50Take a look at this.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03Tenby, surrounded by the sparkling waters of Carmarthen Bay,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05and the sweeping golden beaches.
0:19:05 > 0:19:09It's no surprise that this vibrant town of colourful Georgian houses
0:19:09 > 0:19:14and charming cottages is known as the jewel in Pembrokeshire's crown.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19But this quaint little town has had a dramatic past.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22It attracts over 1.5 million visitors a year,
0:19:22 > 0:19:25but what do they really know about it?
0:19:27 > 0:19:31I'm here to find out how Tenby became one of the most important and richest towns
0:19:31 > 0:19:34throughout the Middle Ages here in Wales,
0:19:34 > 0:19:38and how its shocking and abrupt downfall followed shortly after,
0:19:38 > 0:19:42leaving it derelict and in ruin for many, many years,
0:19:42 > 0:19:48only to rise from the ashes to become the popular seaside resort town that you see here today.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54There's a clue to the town's history in its Welsh name.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Dinbych-y-pysgod. I apologise if that's not quite right,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01but it translates as "little fortress of the fish",
0:20:01 > 0:20:04which reflects its origins as a coastal fort.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09But Tenby's story really starts with the Normans,
0:20:09 > 0:20:13who built the castle here to protect the town from Welsh aggression.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17A thriving community grew around the castle
0:20:17 > 0:20:19and the sea port was born.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23But attacks on the town by the native Welsh
0:20:23 > 0:20:26led by Prince Llewellyn throughout the 13th century devastated it.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30And that prompted the Earl of Pembroke to take drastic action.
0:20:30 > 0:20:35He ordered the building of this impenetrable ring of 15-feet-high stone walls
0:20:35 > 0:20:38stretching from cliff to cliff
0:20:38 > 0:20:40with towers and arches.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44Over the years, the walls were strengthened and this gate house was added.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47This is known as the Ring of Five Arches, and you can see why.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51There's five massive great big Gothic pointed arches.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53What a wonderful defence system.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56There's something I must show you here.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59These holes here, there and there, are socket holes
0:20:59 > 0:21:03so you could anchor the hinges to hold these massive oak doors which would have been here.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05You couldn't have kicked those in.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09And also, cut into the stone here,
0:21:09 > 0:21:13which goes all the way up there, a huge slot that goes right to the top of the castle,
0:21:13 > 0:21:18that's to facilitate the portcullis so it would come dropping down like that.
0:21:19 > 0:21:25It's marvellous, really. You can feel the whole fabric of the town, the history within these walls.
0:21:25 > 0:21:31Throughout the wars of the French Revolution, all this area here, this gatehouse, was covered over
0:21:31 > 0:21:33because the ammunition was stored here.
0:21:33 > 0:21:34So it kept it dry.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41The town's incredible defences appealed to one notable visitor.
0:21:41 > 0:21:42During the War of the Roses,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46the future King Henry VII sheltered within Tenby
0:21:46 > 0:21:49before sailing into exile in 1471.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52The king didn't forget the town's generosity
0:21:52 > 0:21:58and awarded various royal grants which financed the enclosure of Tenby harbour
0:21:58 > 0:22:02helping it become a bustling and important national port.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07This quay is one of the oldest in Wales
0:22:07 > 0:22:14and its location is ideally situated for ships travelling from Spain, Portugal, France and Ireland
0:22:14 > 0:22:17bringing in their cargoes of exotic goods -
0:22:17 > 0:22:19things like salt and wine and fruit.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23And in turn, they would leave laden with a ship full of Welsh fare,
0:22:23 > 0:22:27things like coal, wool, tanned leather and fresh oysters.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Tenby became extremely prosperous.
0:22:30 > 0:22:35The town was home to several wealthy traders. Merchants lived in houses like this one.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39The owner of this house would have had a successful business
0:22:39 > 0:22:41trading from his shop on the ground floor.
0:22:41 > 0:22:42Life was good here.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50But after the Tudor period, things changed.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55Civil war and loss of trade to ships from other ports seem to have played their part.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57But nothing was so devastating as the plague.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Tenby was struck in 1650
0:23:00 > 0:23:04and the disease wiped out almost half the population.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08LONE BELL TOLLS
0:23:09 > 0:23:13Such was the fear that enveloped the town that it was literally sealed off
0:23:13 > 0:23:15from the outside world and understandably so.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19Food for the residents was left on the outskirts of the town
0:23:19 > 0:23:21by traders too frightened to enter.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24It was terrifying times. This plague was dreadful.
0:23:24 > 0:23:29It's hard to believe now when you look around and see this picturesque postcard seaside town
0:23:29 > 0:23:33that the whole place literally fell into disrepair and decay for many years.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37Tenby was on the down. It became a slum town.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39In fact, in the council records,
0:23:39 > 0:23:41it's noted in 1784
0:23:41 > 0:23:46that two special constables were employed to round up wild pigs
0:23:46 > 0:23:49that were roaming around the streets and the yards here.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Just literally pilfering everything. They had to be impounded.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58For well over a hundred years, this town was left abandoned and destroyed.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02But in the mid-19th century,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04salvation came in a surprising form.
0:24:04 > 0:24:09The increasingly popular theory of the health-giving properties of the sea.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Doctors and Victorian tourist boards
0:24:12 > 0:24:18recommended invalids suffering from the likes of scurvy, jaundice and gout
0:24:18 > 0:24:21moved to the seaside to be cured by its waters
0:24:21 > 0:24:23and fresh air.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27Some even prescribed drinking seawater with milk or port.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29This bathing house was opened in 1810.
0:24:29 > 0:24:34The Greek inscription above the door sums up the attitude of the day.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37"The sea washes away the ills of men."
0:24:37 > 0:24:39So, if you had anything wrong with you at all,
0:24:39 > 0:24:41come to Tenby!
0:24:42 > 0:24:45These beaches would have been littered with bathing machines,
0:24:45 > 0:24:50horse-drawn carts which provided room for the bathers to change in.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52And then get straight into the water,
0:24:52 > 0:24:56the perfect way to protect Victorian prudishness!
0:24:56 > 0:24:59The town began to thrive once more
0:24:59 > 0:25:01as the rich spent money and bought property here.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06The arrival of the railways in 1866 put Tenby on the map.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09It opened up the town to the masses as a tourist attraction.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12So it wasn't just for the health-conscious rich now.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16And even today there's a hustle and bustle of life throughout the year
0:25:16 > 0:25:20with fishermen steering in their vessels into this tiny, beautiful haven.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23I don't know about the health qualities today, but I'll tell you what.
0:25:23 > 0:25:28The views and fresh air are certainly invigorating to the heart and soul.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31It's hard to believe this town had such a dramatic past.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41From a pretty seaside town to a rather more substantial
0:25:41 > 0:25:44but equally as beautiful harbour city.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47We're back at the National Museum, Cardiff,
0:25:47 > 0:25:50and there's over 750 people in the Grand Hall
0:25:50 > 0:25:53waiting to have their items valued.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55So we'd better get on with it!
0:25:56 > 0:26:00David, I'm terribly excited, and I need to know what's in this box.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03- Shall we have a little reveal? - Yes, we shall.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05OK.
0:26:06 > 0:26:11- It's a child's gramophone. - Oh, a child's gramophone!
0:26:11 > 0:26:12Wonderful!
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- Is it complete?- This is the arm. Yes, it's complete.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19Fantastic.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Right. Show me how it all goes together.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25- It's tin-plate, isn't it? - Tin-plate, yes.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28- The sound comes out of the bottom there.- Right.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31The arm fixes here.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34- Yes?- Right, OK.- And the needle goes onto the record.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37OK. Shall I get a record?
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Aren't they lovely? They're so dinky!
0:26:42 > 0:26:46Some of them are quite expensive. That one's half a penny and others cost a penny!
0:26:46 > 0:26:49So this belonged to whom?
0:26:49 > 0:26:51- To my mother-in-law, Doreen.- Right.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55- And she was 93 when she passed away last year.- Right. OK.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58- So was it hers when she was a little girl?- It was, yes.- How lovely.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01And then handed down through the family?
0:27:01 > 0:27:06No, it was put in the attic for years and we discovered it after her death.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Right. Well, it's 1930 in date,
0:27:09 > 0:27:11and it's tin-plate.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14- It was made in Germany in Nuremburg. - Right.
0:27:14 > 0:27:20And it's got a company name and a registration name down here.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23- If you can see that? - Never noticed it before.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26I must say I don't know this particular maker's name,
0:27:26 > 0:27:29but with a bit of research, we can probably find that out.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33- How many of these records have you got?- I think there are about 14. - Right.
0:27:33 > 0:27:38Seven nursery rhymes and others are songs. Some are overtures.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40I should think it was quite a treasured possession.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44She looked after everything. Not like us boys!
0:27:44 > 0:27:46When we brought it out a few years ago,
0:27:46 > 0:27:51I did try it and at that time it did play reasonably well.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55- Right.- But since then, I guess that the springs need oiling.- Right.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59- It's a clockwork mechanism, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01So we can say that it does work.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05- It works, but it needs attention.- It does need a little bit of attention.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08- Yes.- Because it's not in perfect working order,
0:28:08 > 0:28:10I think we should put an estimate on of 40 to £50,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13- with a 30 reserve. Are you happy with that?- Yes, that's fine.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Done!
0:28:18 > 0:28:21Well, that certainly made Catherine's day.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28- What a corker, Judy!- Thank you!
0:28:28 > 0:28:31It's wonderful! Where did you get it from?
0:28:31 > 0:28:33I inherited it from my grandparents,
0:28:33 > 0:28:36- but I believe it originated from my great-grandparents.- Right.
0:28:36 > 0:28:41And my great-grandfather was the Lord Mayor of Cardiff
0:28:41 > 0:28:45- and was also a shipping merchant down in Cardiff Bay.- Oh, right. OK.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49So we think this might have come in on-board a ship and he took a fancy to it,
0:28:49 > 0:28:51or we don't really know.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53- That's...- We've no idea. - It could well be, you know.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56- Because this has come all the way from China.- Yep.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58Through the port of Canton.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02And this is generally what we call Cantonese Famille Rose.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06Famille Rose meaning the pinks that you can see in there.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10- And it's a jolly big bowl, isn't it? - It is, isn't it?
0:29:10 > 0:29:12In amazingly good condition.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15You normally find these with chips and cracks in them.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18This has no chips or cracks as far as I can see.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21- There's a little bit of wear to some of the gilding.- Yes.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Where it's been handled over the years.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26In terms of date, I think we're looking at something
0:29:26 > 0:29:28which dates to the end of the 19th century.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32- Right.- So it's going to be 1880 to 1900-ish.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34So it's well over 100 years old.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38And what's nice about this, apart from its size,
0:29:38 > 0:29:42is the fact that you've got these wonderful panels
0:29:42 > 0:29:46alternate panels, of foliage and fruit and birds.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49Just look at this panel with the birds in the branches
0:29:49 > 0:29:51and these lovely gourds
0:29:51 > 0:29:55and these exotic papayas and fruits everywhere.
0:29:55 > 0:30:00The butterflies are absolutely stunning, the way they've been gilded over the top.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03Very rich enamels, with the blues and the oranges.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05All the colours under the rainbow.
0:30:05 > 0:30:10If you look around it is an astoundingly beautiful bowl.
0:30:10 > 0:30:13Why is it the right time to sell it now?
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Um, well... Um...
0:30:16 > 0:30:19Two years ago, I lost one of my daughters to cancer.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23And my other daughter and her children and I
0:30:23 > 0:30:26would like to go on a family holiday, a really good one,
0:30:26 > 0:30:31- on the proceeds of this.- It's going to contribute to a family getaway.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34- It sounds like you deserve it. - We've been through a rough time.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37It's time we had a bit of enjoyment in life.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39It's nice, particularly in this day and age,
0:30:39 > 0:30:41where, unless you've got a big house,
0:30:41 > 0:30:45that this can live on a nice Georgian table or something.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47It lives on the floor at the moment, under the coffee table!
0:30:47 > 0:30:50It's better to get rid of it, isn't it?
0:30:50 > 0:30:54One grandson, when he was a tiny baby, he used to crawl inside there and play!
0:30:56 > 0:30:59- I know. Now, I think, "Oh, dear!" - Aren't you lucky.
0:30:59 > 0:31:04- But still.- I suppose we've got to be realistic at auction.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06I know the Chinese market is very buoyant at the moment
0:31:06 > 0:31:09and this is a corker, as I said right at the beginning.
0:31:09 > 0:31:14But I think if we put it in at 500 to £700,
0:31:14 > 0:31:17- with a reserve of 500 fixed.- Yes.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21And let's just hope that two or three people really go for it.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25- Yes.- And we might even get the top estimate.- That would be lovely.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28It'll please Paul Martin, as well. Cos he likes the top estimate!
0:31:28 > 0:31:30Yes, too right!
0:31:31 > 0:31:34Now, I've beaten Mark and Catherine to this next set of items.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38And they're so exceptional, I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42- Gerald, thank you so much for bringing these in today. - That's quite all right.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46The most wonderful little miniatures painted on ivory.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50I'm absolutely gobsmacked at the detail.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55The exquisiteness of the brush-stroke is just mind-blowing!
0:31:55 > 0:32:01Really, you need a massive magnifying glass to appreciate the detail and the quality.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03I'm quite lucky. I've got very good eyesight.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07I can see the detail, the little figures, the windows.
0:32:07 > 0:32:12I can see everything that's going on. And it is astonishing.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15This is, summing it up, in miniature,
0:32:15 > 0:32:21- the British Empire, our fascination with architecture in India.- Yes.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24Here you have the Taj Mahal, other temples all around.
0:32:24 > 0:32:25Rajasthan.
0:32:25 > 0:32:30When you think about it, we were so fascinated with Indian architecture,
0:32:30 > 0:32:34when all this information came back to the country and saw this sort of architecture,
0:32:34 > 0:32:37they thought, "Gosh, yes, we want something like this."
0:32:37 > 0:32:40And it was our Prince Regent, when he came to the throne,
0:32:40 > 0:32:42he commissioned Brighton Pavilion to be built.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45It was an homage to "the great British Empire".
0:32:45 > 0:32:48We want something like the Taj Mahal, there in Brighton.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52- And hey presto...- There it is. - There it is.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54How did you come by these?
0:32:54 > 0:32:58My mother bought them at a house sale in Sussex during the war.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00- She had a keen eye.- Yes, she did.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03- She did.- She did. - She had a very good eye for...
0:33:03 > 0:33:07Can you remember these as a nipper, as a youngster, then?
0:33:07 > 0:33:08- Yes.- Can you?
0:33:08 > 0:33:14They were in like a leather folder thing which was very dilapidated.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16That's why she had them remounted.
0:33:16 > 0:33:20Oh, I bet they looked nice in that Moroccan leather!
0:33:20 > 0:33:22Yes, but it was in a very bad state.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25- But that's the kind of thing that... - But in those days, you see...
0:33:25 > 0:33:28Yes, that would be contemporary to the period.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32And the only thing that lets these down
0:33:32 > 0:33:36is the fact that they're not mounted in something from the Regency period.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40If you had something with an ebonised frame, a bit of gilding,
0:33:40 > 0:33:42oh!
0:33:42 > 0:33:44No problem, two to three thousand.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47- Oh, dear.- No problem.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50If they were still mounted in their contemporary boxes.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52But it doesn't really matter,
0:33:52 > 0:33:56because whoever buys these is going to take them out and remount them.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58Or sell them individually.
0:33:58 > 0:34:04Now. Anything that is pre-1947 that is worked ivory
0:34:04 > 0:34:07can be sold and can be exported.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10This pre-dates that, because we're looking at around 1805,
0:34:10 > 0:34:12maybe 1810, 1815.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16Value-wise, what do you think they're worth?
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Have you done any research on them?
0:34:18 > 0:34:23The last thing I heard as a valuation, I did this by phone,
0:34:23 > 0:34:26was £1,000 for each of them.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28- OK.- Making 2,000 in all.- OK.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31I wouldn't want to sell them for less than that.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34If they only sell at £1,000 each,
0:34:34 > 0:34:36you won't be going home with £1,000
0:34:36 > 0:34:40you'll pay 17.5% plus VAT commission.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42So when the cheque arrives in the post,
0:34:42 > 0:34:46- it might be around £820 each. - I'm not happy with that.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50- So if we factor in the fact that you have to pay commission...- Yes.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53..we'll build that commission into your reserve.
0:34:53 > 0:34:58So we're now saying each panel will go to auction with a fixed reserve
0:34:58 > 0:35:02of, shall we say, £1,150 each.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04- That sounds fine.- OK?
0:35:04 > 0:35:07So if they only sell at £1,150,
0:35:07 > 0:35:10you'll still go home with £1,000 each.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12- That sounds fair enough. - Happy with that?
0:35:12 > 0:35:14I think this is very exciting.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16- Good. I thought you might be interested.- Absolutely love it.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20- This is proper history. - Oh, it is. Yes.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23'Gerald's paintings are particularly special
0:35:23 > 0:35:26'because the majority of miniatures we see on the market
0:35:26 > 0:35:29'are portraits rather than landscapes.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33'Portraiture became the most popular form because miniatures
0:35:33 > 0:35:37'were the ideal medium to carry around pictures of loved ones.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41'They were made to celebrate marriages, births and mourn the dead.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43'They were originally painted on calf skin
0:35:43 > 0:35:47'before the artists started experimenting with ivory and copper.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50'The art thrived until the late 1800s
0:35:50 > 0:35:52'when photography took over.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55'But there's a big market for antique examples today.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58'Collectors can pick up an excellent portrait
0:35:58 > 0:36:01'by a lesser known artist for a few hundred pounds.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05'Like this one we sold on the show back in 2004.'
0:36:05 > 0:36:08He's done it! £270!
0:36:08 > 0:36:11- Goodness me!- Mind you, I'd rather have the miniature, I must admit!
0:36:13 > 0:36:15'Big names can command thousands,
0:36:15 > 0:36:17'like the example by artist John Smart,
0:36:17 > 0:36:21'which sold for £85,000 in 2008.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28'We'll find out how Gerald's paintings get on very soon
0:36:28 > 0:36:34'because that's all our items found and time to say goodbye to the National Museum, Cardiff.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37'Here's a quick recap of what we're taking off to auction.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41'David's gramophone might not have played for us,
0:36:41 > 0:36:43'but let's hope it will sing to the bidders.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48'Judy's Cantonese bowl is bound to bring a touch of class to the sale room.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51'And these paintings may be miniature,
0:36:51 > 0:36:54'but there's nothing small about their value.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58'So let's travel back to the sale room
0:36:58 > 0:37:01'and cross our fingers for some fabulous results.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04'The day before the sale, I picked auctioneer Ryan's brains
0:37:04 > 0:37:09'on what his hopes were for that small child's gramophone.'
0:37:09 > 0:37:11I've not seen anything like this in my life before.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14I expect you have because you do collectors' sales.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16It's a Bingola gramophone, German gramophone.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20It belongs to David. We've got around 40 to £50 on this.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24Catherine, our expert, didn't know a lot about it on the day. Couldn't do much research.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26Hopefully, you've done something for us.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28Yes. This is a good German factory.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30It's made by Bing brothers.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33You've got the trade mark on the front of the gramophone there.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35A little B and W together.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37This factory was established in about 1880.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40They're known for their toys, usually toy trains.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43- They made their first teddy bear in 1907.- Right.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Have many of these survived?
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Quite a few of them still are out there, yes.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49So hence only 40 to £50.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53- That's it. It is what it is. - It's not a lot of money for something like that
0:37:53 > 0:37:55- if you're into that kind of thing. - No.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57No. But at the end of the day, it's a child's toy.
0:37:57 > 0:38:02- It's not the most exciting thing unless you're into child's gramophones.- Yeah.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05We don't know if it works. We couldn't get it to work on the day.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08But it comes with a few discs.
0:38:08 > 0:38:09This one's called the "Post Horn Galop".
0:38:09 > 0:38:13Somebody getting ready for a bit of excitement there!
0:38:13 > 0:38:15- Well, good luck with that, anyway. - Thank you.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21'Well, it's going under the hammer any second, so let's see how it gets on.'
0:38:22 > 0:38:25It belongs to David and his wife, Jill. Hello, Jill.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27Ryan was quite enthusiastic about this.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29He told us where it was made and who made it.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31We've got a lot of history about this.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33And it's not a lot of money.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36I said that's good value for money, £40.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40It's by Bing, isn't it, which is a good factory.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43Let's spin it away and put it to the test.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47Lot number 660
0:38:47 > 0:38:51is the Bing clockwork child's gramophone here. Lot 660.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Numerous commission bids here.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Start me straight in at 45, 55, 65,
0:38:56 > 0:39:0175, 85, 95. With me at £95.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03At £95. With me at 95 now.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05At £95. 100 I'll take.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07At 95. At £95.
0:39:07 > 0:39:08They don't care if it doesn't work!
0:39:08 > 0:39:11At £95. Are we all done, then? At £95.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13- Fantastic!- That's really good.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16I said to Ryan, it's a bit of a snip, isn't it?
0:39:16 > 0:39:18Surely it should be worth a lot more.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22- Anyway, we got a lot more, didn't we?- We did, yes.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25- Well done for bringing it in. - Thank you.- It's a nice thing. A really nice thing.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32Not only is the gold market pretty high right now,
0:39:32 > 0:39:34but so is the Chinese market.
0:39:34 > 0:39:39All the artefacts are going back to mainland China, where this one might disappear to, Judy.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41- Yes.- It's a wonderful Cantonese bowl
0:39:41 > 0:39:43- and we're looking at 500 to £700 for it.- We are.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45- It's a big lump.- It is. - It's a rather big lump.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48In very good condition, which is a good thing.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51I think this is lovely. I love the artwork on it.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55This is a nice piece. I hope we'll at least get £500 for it. Fingers crossed.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58- You're right.- Let's find out. A touch of the Orient comes to Cardiff.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01Let's find out what the bidders think. Here we go.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05Lot 365 is the Cantonese porcelain bowl here,
0:40:05 > 0:40:07decorated with butterflies, flower heads and birds.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09420 I have to start.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12£420. At £420. 450 is there now?
0:40:12 > 0:40:15At £420. The Cantonese bowl here at 420.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18At £420. 450 do I see?
0:40:18 > 0:40:20At £420. 420.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23At £420. Are we all done?
0:40:23 > 0:40:24At 420.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27- Didn't sell.- Oh, dear.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30I don't mind taking it home with me. I do love that bowl.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32I think it's absolutely smashing.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35You're still looking at a bowl that's worth £500.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37- So don't part with it for any less. - I won't.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42I've got a feeling if Judy takes that bowl to a specialist ceramics sale,
0:40:42 > 0:40:43it might just sell.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46No harm done, though, because it was protected with a reserve.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54Well, going under the hammer now we have some real quality.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57Some miniatures painted on ivory belonging to Gerald.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00I had the pleasure of looking at these at the valuation day.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04Absolutely fell in love with them. It's a taste of the exotic architecture
0:41:04 > 0:41:08- brought back to this country, inspiring buildings like the Brighton Pavilion.- Yes.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10Painted by Thomas Daniel.
0:41:10 > 0:41:15He died in 1840 and I would say this was towards the very end of his career.
0:41:15 > 0:41:16We've got a fixed estimate here.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19Obviously you factored in the commission. We worked that out.
0:41:19 > 0:41:24- Let's find out what the bidders think. It's going under the hammer right now.- Is it?- Yeah.
0:41:24 > 0:41:30Lot 463. Collection of 13 19th-century Indian miniatures.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32All framed together. Lot 463.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35£750 I have to start. At £750.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38At £750. 780 is there, now?
0:41:38 > 0:41:40780. 800.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42820. 850.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44880. 900.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46- We're getting there.- 920. 950.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48980. 1,000.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51And 50. 1,100.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53- This is good.- And 50 takes me over. At 1,150.
0:41:53 > 0:41:57At £1,150. Back of the room. At 1,150 now.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59At £1,150.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Are we all done at 1,150.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03That's the first lot done.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05Don't forget we've got two.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08- We want 1,150 for this second lot as well.- Good.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11750 again I have to start.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14£750. 780. 800.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16820. 850.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18880. 900.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20920. 950.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23980. 1,000.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25And 50. 1,100.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28And 50. Takes me out at £1,150.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30At £1,150 at the back of the room.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32At £1,150. Are we all done?
0:42:32 > 0:42:35At £1,150.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39- Sold.- Jolly good! Thank you very much!
0:42:39 > 0:42:41Between both of us we were spot on, weren't we?
0:42:41 > 0:42:44- We were dead right!- We didn't even have an estimate, basically.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47All we had was a fixed reserve of £1,150.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49A grand total of £2,300.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51You did well, there.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Don't forget you've got to pay the commission as we discussed.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56But you're very happy with that.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58- It's just right, yes. - And what quality as well.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01- That made my day.- I'm so pleased.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11That's it. It's all over for our owners. Another day in the office, another auction room.
0:43:11 > 0:43:15I hope you've enjoyed the show. If you have any antiques to sell, we'd love to see you.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17Bring them along to one of our valuation days.
0:43:17 > 0:43:21Details of upcoming dates and venues are on our BBC website.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26Follow the links. All the information is there.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28We'd love to see you.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31Until then, from Cardiff and from all of us here,
0:43:31 > 0:43:32it's goodbye.
0:43:53 > 0:43:56Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd