0:00:09 > 0:00:15The name Hereford comes from the Anglo-Saxon. Here meaning army, Ford - a place to cross the river.
0:00:15 > 0:00:20A place just like this. And today it's the barracks of Flog It.
0:00:41 > 0:00:48Hereford may have a long association with war, but in its centre is a symbol of peace.
0:00:52 > 0:00:58Many of these walls date back as far as the 13th century. They survived the Reformation, War of the Roses
0:00:58 > 0:01:01and, of course, the Civil Wars,
0:01:01 > 0:01:07but will they survive this lot today? Welcome to Flog It from Hereford Cathedral!
0:01:09 > 0:01:14And two people on a mission to find the best antiques...
0:01:14 > 0:01:17"The Face", Adam Partridge.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24And our very own Mrs T, Christina Trevanion.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27I don't do maps.
0:01:27 > 0:01:33- It looks like she's found her first weapon.- Hang on a second! You've jumped the queue.
0:01:33 > 0:01:34Come on.
0:01:34 > 0:01:39- But it's cold out here, so let's get inside.- Oyez!
0:01:46 > 0:01:52In today's Flog It, could a children's tea set possibly make four figures at auction?
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Or is it more likely to be these sparklers?
0:01:56 > 0:01:59You are in the money!
0:02:02 > 0:02:07Well, we have an army of experts with us and an arsenal of items,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11so let's get going and see what Christina has found.
0:02:12 > 0:02:19- Stuart and Janine, you're both bell ringers?- Yes.- And you've rung here before?- Yes. No! Sorry.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Can we do that again, please?
0:02:22 > 0:02:25Don't lie!
0:02:25 > 0:02:29We have rung in a cathedral. Brecon Cathedral.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34- A couple of years ago.- Wonderful. - We'd like to ring here.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39- So from that to the spoils of war. - Yes, what a difference! - Very different.
0:02:39 > 0:02:46The bayonets were used for close-contact warfare. You stuck them onto the end of your musket
0:02:46 > 0:02:51- and would head towards the enemy. Which is what you did in the queue to Stuart!- Yes!
0:02:51 > 0:02:57- You've witnessed how vicious they can be.- Yes. She drew blood getting it out of the bag.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- That one is very sharp.- Sorry, dear.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04- Tell me where they have come from. - We don't really know a lot.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09- They were brought back by my dad from WWII.- All of them?- Yes.
0:03:09 > 0:03:16- We brought them down from the loft. "I didn't know you had those!" - I'm quite glad we're selling them.
0:03:16 > 0:03:21- Now she knows, she might use one on me.- It's a good job we're taking them away.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- Yes, thank you. - Just get rid of them!
0:03:24 > 0:03:29We've got a real history of warfare just on this table, really.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33A great spread from the Boer Wars through to the Second World War.
0:03:33 > 0:03:40That's why it surprised me when you said your father brought them all back from the Second World War.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45Maybe at that time they were so desperate for weapons that some recycling was going on
0:03:45 > 0:03:51and they used earlier examples. There is a little bit of information on the blades
0:03:51 > 0:03:56that tells us this one here has got a coronet and VR, for Victoria,
0:03:56 > 0:04:01so it's a British example, Victorian. End of the 19th century.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06- Sadly, no scabbard. - No. Never has been.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- Then this Second World War German example- Oh, it's German?
0:04:10 > 0:04:16This is German, yes. This is probably the best example, even though it's the latest.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20This blue steel blade is an indication of quality.
0:04:20 > 0:04:27- It indicates an incredibly good maker and nice to have a scabbard there.- Very sharp.- Very sharp.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Market-wise, we will get interest. It's a slightly limited market.
0:04:31 > 0:04:38I think, at auction, I would say we're looking somewhere in the region of maybe £80-£120.
0:04:38 > 0:04:44But because it is quite a niche market, maybe setting a reserve at maybe 70,
0:04:44 > 0:04:47with some discretion. How would you feel about that?
0:04:47 > 0:04:53- Great. I didn't think they were worth that much.- Fine with me.- OK.
0:04:53 > 0:04:59- Just get rid of them. - And for my safety, thank you! - Take them away. Brilliant.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03- If you're happy to sell them, we'll include them in the auction.- Great.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05- Thank you.- Thank YOU.
0:05:05 > 0:05:11In keeping with Hereford's military past, these young army cadets were intrigued by some items,
0:05:11 > 0:05:15so brought them along to find out a little bit more.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20- Have you had a valuation today? - Yeah, he said £600-£800,
0:05:20 > 0:05:24but if you found out more about the story, it could go up.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29We know what soldier it was. You can look in the archives and build that picture up.
0:05:29 > 0:05:35That's quite important. And, Ben, that looks fascinating. Tell me about it.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40It's a woven picture, which a soldier has woven himself.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45- It's added the places he's been. - When he's been overseas on active duty.- Yeah.
0:05:45 > 0:05:52He's woven it to his mum, as a way to communicate. It's not worth a lot, more sentimental value.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57Exactly. Some things, the monetary value is outstripped by sentimental value.
0:05:57 > 0:06:03That has it in abundance. Thank you for coming in. You might have a career in the services.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07This is setting you up for something big, hopefully.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11Something's dazzling the crowd at Adam's table. He's joined by Graham.
0:06:12 > 0:06:18This is a lovely Edwardian crystal table lamp. Where did you get it from?
0:06:18 > 0:06:21It was my mother's, actually.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26She inherited this or was given this as a present for her 21st birthday.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30And her 21st birthday was in 1939.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- 1918?- That's right. - Right.- That's right.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38- It was from colleagues where she worked at that time.- I see.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43So we've had it in the family ever since. It's not really for us.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48We put it in a sort of dining room, but the light on it isn't that great.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52No, they don't give off a good light at all. When they're lit,
0:06:52 > 0:06:58the pattern that they give off on a wall is quite striking, beautiful really.
0:06:58 > 0:07:04- Is that your wife watching?- It is. - Does she like it?- No, she doesn't. - She doesn't like it.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- So it's got to be sold?- Yeah.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10We see these quite often at auction. They're not a rare thing.
0:07:10 > 0:07:15Waterford made them, Edinburgh Crystal, other factories made them.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18It's an object of lovely quality, but not rare.
0:07:18 > 0:07:26They're typically Edwardian and slightly later. So that ties in with your date. Invariably damaged.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30You've got a couple of little chips round the base,
0:07:30 > 0:07:35- but when you take the top off, actually this is very heavy, isn't it?- Isn't it?
0:07:35 > 0:07:40And when you put it back on, there's always collateral damage
0:07:40 > 0:07:46from putting it back on, but yours has survived pretty well. Condition-wise, 7 or 8 out of 10.
0:07:46 > 0:07:52Value-wise, let's get down to the dirty question of money. What do you think it's worth?
0:07:52 > 0:07:59- Not a clue at all. - Have a guess.- £60?- Ooh! Very good. My job is in danger.
0:07:59 > 0:08:06I think it should make towards £100, but my estimate was going to be £60-£100.
0:08:06 > 0:08:12- Something like that.- Right. - We should put a reserve on it. We don't want it going for nothing.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17- Absolutely.- If it doesn't make 60, maybe...- Take it back.- Take it back.
0:08:17 > 0:08:23And present it to your wife as a Christmas present. I'd love to see it in action.
0:08:23 > 0:08:30I can't see any switch, so I'm just going to have to summon some mental energy.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32- Let's see. - SNAPS FINGERS
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- Oh, yes!- Wow!
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- Thanks for coming. - Never saw you move!
0:08:37 > 0:08:41- Great object. Thank you. - Thanks very much.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45Later in the show, we'll give you some tips on lighting design.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50- Hi, Anne.- Hi.- Thank you so much for coming in today.
0:08:50 > 0:08:56You've brought these rather beautiful amethyst and diamond earrings. Tell me about them.
0:08:56 > 0:09:02I inherited them from my father's cousin. Her husband was in the Navy and he served in the Far East.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07- So I think he might have bought them out there.- OK.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11- He didn't buy them as they are now, did he?- No, they were clips.
0:09:11 > 0:09:16- Did she wear them often?- I think so. They had quite a formal life.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18They went to lots of dos.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23- And you've had them converted. - Yes, into earrings.- OK.
0:09:23 > 0:09:28- And do you wear them as earrings? - Once, to a dinner dance.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33My lifestyle now is in the country, walking dogs over muddy fields, and my garden.
0:09:33 > 0:09:39And they're a bit too smart for doing the gardening.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43- I think you'd get a few stares! - I think you might, yes, definitely.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48- They are 18-carat.- Mm-hm. - Stamped 750 at the back.
0:09:48 > 0:09:54And you've got diamonds all around the outside and an amethyst in the middle. They look Art Deco,
0:09:54 > 0:10:01but I think they're slightly later. They pick up elements of Art Deco with their sun ray motif there,
0:10:01 > 0:10:06but I think date-wise we're probably looking more at 1940s, 1950s,
0:10:06 > 0:10:12- something like that. Would that tie in?- It would. They married about 1952.
0:10:12 > 0:10:19- The trend these days is for perhaps more modest, more discreet jewellery.- Yes.- Although I'd say
0:10:19 > 0:10:25- that they are quite large, aren't they?- Yes.- Quite wide. - Be nice for a footballer's wife!
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- I'm not sure...- A lot of bling!
0:10:30 > 0:10:33I think you're right. They are very blingy. Rather spectacular.
0:10:33 > 0:10:40But having said that, the amethysts are lovely, the diamonds are nice and bright.
0:10:40 > 0:10:46If they were all brilliant cuts, it would be wonderful. Sadly, they're not. What's your expectation?
0:10:46 > 0:10:52- I really don't know. I would have thought perhaps £150? - OK. We can do slightly better.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57I would hope, anyway. I think, at auction, because jewellery is very popular,
0:10:57 > 0:11:05- we're looking at an estimate of maybe £200-£300, with a reserve of £200.- That's amazing.- Good?- Yes!
0:11:05 > 0:11:07- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:11:09 > 0:11:16I tell you what, it's absolute mayhem inside there. Hundreds of people with thousands of antiques.
0:11:16 > 0:11:23We've definitely got our work cut out, but we're halfway through and have our items for auction.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27This is where anything could happen. This could get very exciting.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31We're making our way to Philip Serrell's sale room.
0:11:31 > 0:11:37These bayonets from the Boer War to the Second World War would be a great starting lot for a collector.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43And will it be lights out for Graham?
0:11:45 > 0:11:51Let's hope the people of Malvern are into their bling because these diamonds make quite a statement.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58Today our auction room is not far from the Malvern Hills.
0:11:58 > 0:12:05This eight-mile craggy ridge is like a mini mountain range. George Mallory walked them in preparation
0:12:05 > 0:12:08for his ascent on Everest.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13But it's back down to earth at auction.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17What an atmosphere! All the ingredients of a classic auction.
0:12:17 > 0:12:23We've got some wonderful things going under the hammer. Let's hope they climb as high as the hills.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25The sky is the limit.
0:12:25 > 0:12:32Philip Serrell's auction house charges 18% commission to buyers and 16.5% to sellers.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35On the day, you can pay by cash, cheque or card.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Just like your local supermarket.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42First up, it's those bayonets.
0:12:42 > 0:12:48- It's a sensible estimate, £80-£120. - I hope so. Militaria is a bit tricky, isn't it?- Yes.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51It's a very narrow collecting field.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55I just hope with the internet exposure and a packed sale room...
0:12:55 > 0:12:59There should be some interest. Why are you selling these, Stuart?
0:12:59 > 0:13:05- Well...- Dangerous thing to have! - What can you do with a bayonet except kill somebody?
0:13:05 > 0:13:13- There's lots of people I'd like to kill!- It's difficult to get attached to a bayonet. Not sentimental!
0:13:13 > 0:13:20Let's hope we are in the cutting edge right now. Let's find out what this packed room of bidders thinks.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23They're going under the hammer now.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28Four various bayonets. Two with scabbards. As you see them.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32What will you give me for those? £100 to start? 100?
0:13:33 > 0:13:38- What's he starting with?- 100. - £40 bid. At 40.- There's someone.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41The chap in the red t-shirt.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45There's the bid in the room at 80. 90 is it, on the 'net?
0:13:45 > 0:13:49At £80 only. The bid's in the room just there.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53At £80 only. 80 bid. I'll take 90 anywhere.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- At £80.- Selling them at 80.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59That's good. Oh, 90!
0:13:59 > 0:14:0290 bid. £90. At £90. 90.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05Is there any more? At £90.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10Here's the bid. At £90 and I sell then at £90 and done.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- Thank you.- Hammer's gone down at £90. Very good estimate.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- An internet bid.- And you're happy? - I'm happy.- Well done, Stuart.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- Fantastic.- Thanks very much.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25Stuart's wife is even happier to have them out of the house.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Next up, the bling earrings.
0:14:27 > 0:14:33Something for the ladies right now. We've got two earrings, amethysts and diamonds.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- Do you wear them at all?- Once. - Just once.- They pinch!
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- Do they pinch? - You long to take them off!
0:14:40 > 0:14:45I think it's so appropriate that they are amethysts.
0:14:45 > 0:14:51Purple is a colour that's long been associated with the clergy and we found them in a cathedral.
0:14:51 > 0:14:58- It was a lovely day.- It was. - I've got to say this...- I thought your reserve was quite high.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- Oh, OK!- 200. I didn't expect that much.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07- I'm standing by it. - OK, let's find out what the bidders think. Good luck.
0:15:07 > 0:15:15Lot 538 is the pair of earrings with an amethyst, surrounded by a scroll set with diamonds.
0:15:15 > 0:15:21There we are. Marked 750. Bid me for those. Bid me £300 to start?
0:15:21 > 0:15:26- Bid me 200. - We're looking for the ladies.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28At 200. 200. 200. 200.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30At 210.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32220. 230. 240.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34- 250.- 260. 270.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38270. 280. 290. 300. 310.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- Oh...!- 310!
0:15:41 > 0:15:43320. 330.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- They're nice!- 340. 350. 360. 370.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50- So he's got...- Phone bids. - And in the room.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- In the room.- I don't believe this.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56You are in the money.
0:15:56 > 0:15:57420. 430.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00440. 450.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04460. 470. 480. 490.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06500. 520.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- 500, Anne.- 550. 580.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13- 600?- 600 with us.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17£600 on the telephone. £600. At £600 on the telephone.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- £600! - There's the bid at £600. Any more?
0:16:21 > 0:16:26At £600 and I sell then... At £600 and done. Thank you.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28That's us. 600.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31£600. What a fabulous surprise!
0:16:31 > 0:16:35- Certainly is!- That is a surprise! Well done, both of you.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40- Thank you very much. - I was nervous.- Don't doubt me.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- Don't doubt me.- Never again.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47I should have known better! The lady knows her diamonds.
0:16:47 > 0:16:53Let's hope this next lot lights up the sale room. A two-piece crystal lamp belonging to Graham.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- We've got £60 to...- 60 to 100. It should make £100 in my view.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- Don't you think?- Yes, I do.
0:16:59 > 0:17:05- Had any on the programme before? - We've had...- I seem to remember having one myself in London
0:17:05 > 0:17:09- when we did Alexandra Palace about 8 years ago.- Yes, we did.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- Good luck.- Thank you very much.
0:17:12 > 0:17:18Lot number 605 is the rather nice glass table lamp
0:17:18 > 0:17:21with the globe. There you are. Put it in the bidding.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25I'm bid £30 for that. 30 bid.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- At 30. £30. Not expensive. - Worth more than that, eh, Graham?
0:17:29 > 0:17:34- - I think so!- I agree. - - 40. £50. At 50.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36One more now somewhere.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41At £50 only. Is there any more at all? One more anywhere?
0:17:41 > 0:17:45Not expensive, this, at £50. Any more at all?
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- At £50. Any more?- Not selling. - I'm sorry. I haven't done it.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51- Really sorry.- Not a problem.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56- It's worth that, I promise you. - What are you going to do with it?
0:17:56 > 0:18:01Once we decided we'd put it into auction, my daughter said, "I quite like that, Dad."
0:18:01 > 0:18:07- Oh!- So she can have it. - She can inherit it! Good for you. - So a good result in that way.
0:18:07 > 0:18:14Period lights make a real statement and it looks like Graham's daughter will enjoy this Edwardian lamp.
0:18:14 > 0:18:20It got me thinking about how the right design can light up your home.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31If you're thinking about changing the lighting in your house,
0:18:31 > 0:18:37why not consider a period piece that reflects not only light but a moment in history?
0:18:37 > 0:18:43Whilst most people couldn't afford a Georgian chandelier, hundreds of designs are collectables.
0:18:43 > 0:18:50Each object tells the story of design, technology and social history.
0:18:50 > 0:18:56So today we're going to trip the light fantastic together as we look through centuries of lighting,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58starting with the humble rushlight.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02This simple design was a historic revelation.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06It turned the open flame into a home-made candle.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10What you did was you cut your bulrushes,
0:19:10 > 0:19:16you'd dry them outside, let the wind blow right through them, cut them to a feasible length,
0:19:16 > 0:19:23about that length, strip them down to the pith, then dip them in leftover goose fat or duck fat
0:19:23 > 0:19:29from your meal. You then put them in here like this
0:19:29 > 0:19:31and then you light it.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36It was clean
0:19:36 > 0:19:38and easy to use lighting.
0:19:38 > 0:19:44If you're feeling really extravagant and wanted twice as much light, you light the other end.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48Like so.
0:19:48 > 0:19:53And that's where we get the phrase "burning the candle at both ends".
0:19:56 > 0:20:00The next big development in lighting came with the wax candle
0:20:00 > 0:20:06and how those flamboyant Georgians presented them. To tell us about it is Karen Wallace Smith,
0:20:06 > 0:20:13a real bright spark on the history of lighting, as she owns an antique lighting restoration shop.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22Well, we're surrounded by beautiful, sparkling chandeliers.
0:20:22 > 0:20:28The church have used this design for a long time, but how did the Georgians take this and develop it?
0:20:28 > 0:20:35Suddenly there were techniques available with glass that meant that designs just changed.
0:20:35 > 0:20:42- They blossomed.- Yeah. Along with the social change, it meant it became fashionable to dine in the evening.
0:20:42 > 0:20:48And in addition to that, the glass tax and candle tax meant that a chandelier was
0:20:48 > 0:20:53- the ultimate extravagant item to have in your house.- The elite thing.
0:20:53 > 0:20:59Invite everyone round for supper, light 100 candles and everybody knew that you were really wealthy.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04They had a lot of technical changes, which meant that for the first time
0:21:04 > 0:21:09chandeliers could be developed in the style that we see here.
0:21:09 > 0:21:15- They were able to be much grander, larger, dripping in crystal. - With an eight-branch arm?- Yeah.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19- Snake arms.- Are there many Georgian chandeliers on the market?
0:21:19 > 0:21:25They do come up, but they are rare. They're worth hundreds of thousands, individually.
0:21:25 > 0:21:31If you get a set, such as in the Assembly Rooms in Bath, they're worth many millions.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34I wouldn't mind one of those in my front room!
0:21:39 > 0:21:45The rich Georgians may have enjoyed the decadence and the flamboyance of the crystal chandelier,
0:21:45 > 0:21:52but it was the Victorians who witnessed the first big step in the history of the life of lighting
0:21:52 > 0:21:54with the invention of the gas lamp.
0:21:54 > 0:22:00And for the very first time candles could now be replaced with a light that would last infinitely longer.
0:22:01 > 0:22:06But like most new inventions, there were teething problems.
0:22:06 > 0:22:12The coal gases used in some lamps, very much like this one which dates to the 1880s,
0:22:12 > 0:22:18used a highly flammable and toxic combination of gases likely to cause carbon monoxide poisoning
0:22:18 > 0:22:22and it's thought that the Victorian image of a woman fainting
0:22:22 > 0:22:25was more likely down to the lack of oxygen in the room,
0:22:25 > 0:22:31rather than somebody making a risque comment to them or their corset was too tight.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34But look, that's what everybody had in the 1880s.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38You certainly wouldn't want to trust it, would you? Not today.
0:22:38 > 0:22:45An elegant solution to the problem caused by gas lighting was the rise and fall of the gasolier.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49You can imagine it, can't you, over the billiard table.
0:22:53 > 0:23:00But gas lamps were brighter, 20 times brighter than candlelight, in fact, and people loved them.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04They could stay up late into the night reading their newspapers and books
0:23:04 > 0:23:10and that remained the most popular source of lighting until something extinguished their flames.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Poets called it the end of the romantic era.
0:23:14 > 0:23:21Social commentators predicted life would become faster and less simple with its presence
0:23:21 > 0:23:27and when Edison threw a switch that lit 800 light bulbs in Manhattan, people were aghast.
0:23:27 > 0:23:33But at first, electricity didn't come cheap. It wasn't until 1926 and the National Grid
0:23:33 > 0:23:37that electric light could shine throughout homes in the UK.
0:23:37 > 0:23:42And once it became commonplace, homes would never be the same again.
0:23:51 > 0:23:58The unsteady flicker of the gas lamps had been replaced by bright, clean, constant light.
0:23:58 > 0:24:04Gone were the days of the smelly gas lamps and the candles that burnt down in ten minutes.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07People could now work right through the night.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11The streets were illuminated. The nights were no longer dark.
0:24:11 > 0:24:16The world would never look the same again.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21With the advent of electricity came the blossoming of design.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25Chandeliers were renamed electroliers and the fashion
0:24:25 > 0:24:30was to show off the electrical workings on the outside of the design.
0:24:30 > 0:24:35As the 20th century moved through trends such as Arts and Crafts and Art Deco,
0:24:35 > 0:24:39they were reflected in people's choice of lighting.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44And now those early pieces are finding their way into the Flog It valuation days
0:24:44 > 0:24:48from a tasteful piece of Troika which sold for £150
0:24:48 > 0:24:50to a rather kitsch toucan.
0:24:52 > 0:24:57And so to today and the LED which is enabling another leap forward in design.
0:24:57 > 0:25:03Who would have thought that these industrial lamps from eastern Europe would be all the rage?
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Many hands have made light work over the century,
0:25:06 > 0:25:12so why not embrace something different and head to a restoration yard or antique lighting shop
0:25:12 > 0:25:14and flick a new switch?
0:25:18 > 0:25:24Right now, it's back to the valuation day at the historic Hereford Cathedral.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29There's been a place of worship on the cathedral site ever since the 8th century,
0:25:29 > 0:25:35although the earliest part that remains today is from the 11th century Lady Chapel.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39And from the fine stonework of the cathedral arches
0:25:39 > 0:25:42to the delicate woodwork of a master craftsman.
0:25:45 > 0:25:51- Lorena, this is one of the nicest things I have seen on this show for a long time.- I'm pleased to hear it.
0:25:51 > 0:25:57I hope I give you a little surprise later on and for you behind listening. This is rather special.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59How did you come by it?
0:25:59 > 0:26:06I inherited it from my maiden aunt who I assume went about buying pieces of antique as investments.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10What you normally find with miniature pieces of furniture
0:26:10 > 0:26:14are they are normally made by an apprentice or by a cabinet-maker
0:26:14 > 0:26:19as a small working model for something he can produce full-scale for a client.
0:26:19 > 0:26:25- This doesn't fit that category. - I didn't think it did.- This was made for one specific reason.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28It's been made by a master cabinet-maker.
0:26:28 > 0:26:34You can see a pine interior. You can see how light the wood is. It's a very cheap carcass wood.
0:26:34 > 0:26:39But look at the wonderful little dovetails. Can you see that?
0:26:39 > 0:26:44- All hand-cut. - I've been looking at them for years. - With a tiny tenon saw.
0:26:44 > 0:26:50Can you see that very fine line, two millimetres thick? That's a hand-cut veneer, a piece of Cuban mahogany.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54You have this wonderful, book-matched flame curl.
0:26:54 > 0:27:00Every single side of this little chest of drawers, and I'm going to give it away to the camera now,
0:27:00 > 0:27:03has been veneered, and then we come to the back.
0:27:03 > 0:27:08Now, that tells me it's meant to be fastened and secured.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Can you see that with that little turnscrew?
0:27:11 > 0:27:17All hand-cut. If you unscrew that, that will then attach to the side of a table...
0:27:17 > 0:27:19- Have you got the drawers tight? - I have.
0:27:19 > 0:27:24- You've not done this before?- No, I've never seen it like that before.
0:27:24 > 0:27:29I'll hold that for one second like that because that's how it's meant to be.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32You then work at this from the front.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36A seamstress, or an officer's wife maybe,
0:27:36 > 0:27:41would unpick all the gold on the officers' tunics,
0:27:41 > 0:27:43on the epaulettes, on the cuffs.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45You'd sit there and unpick this.
0:27:45 > 0:27:51And just here there's fragments of the red silk. This would have been covered in a bright red silk.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56And I'd say that dates to around about 1805,
0:27:56 > 0:27:591815, somewhere like that, 1820s.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03Very nice. And are these little knobs ivory?
0:28:03 > 0:28:07They're all ivory and original. Have you any idea what that's worth?
0:28:07 > 0:28:11No, I have no idea whatsoever.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15I think it's safe to say we put this into auction with a value of...
0:28:15 > 0:28:19- Any idea? What do you think this might be worth?- 500?
0:28:19 > 0:28:21- 500. Yeah, you're spot-on, really.- Oh!
0:28:21 > 0:28:27I was going to say we'll put it into auction with a value of £600 to £800.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29That would be wonderful.
0:28:29 > 0:28:34- I'd like to do the top end.- I can't believe it. I just can't believe it.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38We'll put a fixed reserve of £500 on this.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41- That's wonderful.- Lorena, thank you for bringing this in.
0:28:41 > 0:28:46- It's been a pleasure.- We're going straight to auction with this and this will be top drawer!
0:28:46 > 0:28:53The ivory handles of this chest of drawers would cause a problem if they were made after 1947
0:28:53 > 0:28:58because of the ivory laws, but as this was made in the early 19th century, there is no problem.
0:28:58 > 0:29:04We can take it off to auction. Right now the cameras are rolling with Adam, Janet and...
0:29:04 > 0:29:07A lovely elephant clock.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11- Yes.- Do you like it?- I love it. - I love it too.
0:29:11 > 0:29:17- Why are you selling it then?- Because my children are going to put it all in a skip if anything happens to us.
0:29:17 > 0:29:23- They've told you that?- Yeah. - You really believe that?- They did put their arm round me at the time.
0:29:23 > 0:29:28- And said, "Mother..." - "Don't worry about it." I didn't want them falling out over things.
0:29:28 > 0:29:33- How many children do you have?- Two. - And they really wouldn't want it?
0:29:33 > 0:29:36No, they wouldn't want it. They're not into that, really.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39One's into boats and one's into...
0:29:40 > 0:29:42..money! LAUGHTER
0:29:42 > 0:29:45Where did you get it from for a start?
0:29:45 > 0:29:47It came from the Isle of Wight
0:29:47 > 0:29:52where my mother used to look after an old army captain...
0:29:52 > 0:29:56- OK.- ..who died when he was about 92 or 93.
0:29:56 > 0:30:03I always admired it in his house, so I asked my mother if I could have it and she gave it to me then.
0:30:03 > 0:30:09- What do you know about the army captain and where he might have got it from?- He was over in India.
0:30:09 > 0:30:14- Do you think that's an Indian elephant?- It is, because of the small ears.- I thought so.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Did you hear any of his stories?
0:30:16 > 0:30:21Many of them. There was this rogue elephant and they were going to shoot it.
0:30:21 > 0:30:27He said, "No, I'll have a look at it first," so they chained it between two trees, so it didn't stampede,
0:30:27 > 0:30:33and they lifted its hoof and found out that there was a piece of wood in its foot.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36- So it had a splinter? - It had a splinter.
0:30:36 > 0:30:42- So he dug it out and bandaged it all up and the elephant...- That's a remarkable story, isn't it?
0:30:42 > 0:30:45The elephant recognised him from then on.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48That adds so much more significance to the object.
0:30:48 > 0:30:54We could have launched into telling you what it was, what it's worth and off to the auction with it.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59It's an object that... You see great big ones four times the size in gilt bronze.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02And this one is the one that was made...
0:31:02 > 0:31:08I suppose the ordinary one that was made for the domestic market, for people to have in their homes.
0:31:08 > 0:31:14It's not bronze, it's made from spelter, but they were made en masse, mass-produced, really.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17- A German firm mainly made them, one called Junghans.- Oh, right.
0:31:17 > 0:31:22This is almost certainly made in Germany, circa 1900.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25And the mystery about it is that when we rock it,
0:31:25 > 0:31:29it appears to be the pendulum, but in fact, it's kidology,
0:31:29 > 0:31:32it's just a clock and everything is wound on the back there.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34- Yeah.- Any idea what it's worth?
0:31:34 > 0:31:39I saw one on Antiques Roadshow, something in the region of 200.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Well, that would be good going.
0:31:42 > 0:31:47I think it might be a hard tusk... sorry, task, to get to £200 for it.
0:31:47 > 0:31:52- Shall we put 100 on it, discretion, 10% or not?- No.- No? 100 fixed?
0:31:52 > 0:31:55I know the auctioneer will do his best.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59- So, put 100 to 150.- Right, OK. - And take her off to auction.
0:31:59 > 0:32:04- Can I move the pendulum round?- Yeah. - I'm dying to see it swing. There we are.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09- Wonderful.- Now it should be working. - Yes, but it's not.- But it's not.
0:32:09 > 0:32:14We hope Janet had a memorable day. We know the elephant won't forget.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20Christina is very excited about these little bunnies.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26Margaret, you've made my day bringing these in to me.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29I have seen these in books, but never in real life.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32- Do you know how rare they are?- No. - As rare as hen's teeth.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35- Or as rare as a rabbit teapot! - Oh, great.
0:32:35 > 0:32:40- Tell me where they've come from. - I've known them all my life.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43- I assume that they came from my godmother.- Right.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47It could have been a christening present or anything like that.
0:32:47 > 0:32:53- What sort of era are we talking? - I'm 60 now, 61, so it's a while ago, really.
0:32:53 > 0:32:58OK, right. They date to pre-war, so 1930s, something like that.
0:32:58 > 0:33:05- The designs were developed by a nun called Barbara Vernon.- Oh, right.
0:33:05 > 0:33:11She was the daughter of a man called Cuthbert Bailey who was one of the managers at Royal Doulton.
0:33:11 > 0:33:17- Right.- Cuthbert, bless him, asked Charles Noke, who was a very famous designer of Royal Doulton,
0:33:17 > 0:33:24better known for his Flambe Wares, to design teapots based on his daughter's sketches.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28- OK? So this is the end result. - How lovely!
0:33:28 > 0:33:31These are also the precursors to the Bunnykins.
0:33:31 > 0:33:37So it all links together and these are a Bunnykins collector's dream.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41They really are the first Bunnykins figures, if you like,
0:33:41 > 0:33:44but in a utilitarian teapot, creamer and sugar bowl.
0:33:44 > 0:33:50So let's have a little look just to confirm my suspicions. We'll take the cover off, look at the bottom.
0:33:50 > 0:33:56Yes, lovely mark. We've got the nice Royal Doulton mark with the Bunnykins either side.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59It's great that we've got that mark. Collectors will love that.
0:33:59 > 0:34:05When the war came, of course, in 1939, production stopped and it never started again,
0:34:05 > 0:34:07so these are incredibly rare.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10- Good grief!- You don't see them very often at all.
0:34:10 > 0:34:15- We do have a problem with this. We've both spotted it. - There is a tiny chip.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17It's not really a tiny chip, sadly.
0:34:17 > 0:34:22We've got this... The sugar bowl with this lovely painted face here,
0:34:22 > 0:34:27we've actually got a crack that runs from the rim right down through the body.
0:34:27 > 0:34:33- That is going to affect the value. - That will affect it.- Collectors want them in mint condition.
0:34:33 > 0:34:39- For them to make in excess of £1,000, they need to be in very, very good condition.- Absolutely.
0:34:39 > 0:34:44- Value-wise, because of that, we want to be just scaling it back a little bit.- Yeah.
0:34:44 > 0:34:49And perhaps at auction, I still think it will fetch in the region of maybe £500 to £700.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53- Right.- And I'd be happy to put a reserve on it of maybe £500.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56How would you feel about that?
0:34:56 > 0:34:59- Happy?- Yes, I think so.- Yeah?- Yes.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02I think this at the moment is very worrying.
0:35:02 > 0:35:07- Right.- Almost a chip is more forgiving, but a crack means the body is actually unstable.
0:35:07 > 0:35:12- So that is worrying.- Yes.- But 500 to 700 with a reserve of 500.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17Let's hope it goes for more. I hope it goes for more. I really do. I hope I'm wrong.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21- Let's go for it.- Brilliant. Thank you.- OK. Cheers.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25Royal Doulton started producing the Bunnykins clan in the late 1930s
0:35:25 > 0:35:29and well, they've been breeding like rabbits ever since,
0:35:29 > 0:35:32capturing the imagination of children for generations.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35Bunnykins can be bought new from £25 each
0:35:35 > 0:35:40and rare designs can fetch anything up to £2,500 at auction.
0:35:46 > 0:35:51That's it. Our experts have now found their final items to take off to auction,
0:35:51 > 0:35:57so it's time to say a fond farewell to our magnificent host location, Hereford Cathedral.
0:35:58 > 0:36:03And coming along with us, Lorena's lovely little sewing accessory.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Time's running out for the pendulum clock.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12And keep your eyes on these bunnies.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16They're very rare, but that crack could hold them back.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22There's still a great deal of hammer action in the Malvern Salerooms.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28I'm up here on the rostrum with Philip Serrell. From up here,
0:36:28 > 0:36:33you can get a bird's-eye view of what Philip is looking at - a sea of bidders.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37He certainly is the master of ceremonies today.
0:36:37 > 0:36:43But down there are our owners. I'll catch up with them because we've got a lot coming up right now.
0:36:45 > 0:36:51- Janet, you've been sitting on the lovely, comfy chairs throughout the sale...- Excellent day.
0:36:51 > 0:36:55- ..watching it go along nicely and now it's your turn.- Yeah.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59I know you want £100. We're talking about that novelty elephant clock.
0:36:59 > 0:37:04- Are you by yourself today? - No, I've come with my husband. - What's his name?- Richard.
0:37:04 > 0:37:10He's over there. Give us a wave, Richard. He's got his camera out. Look at this. Ready...?
0:37:11 > 0:37:16What have you been up to since we last saw you at the valuation day at the cathedral?
0:37:16 > 0:37:19I thought it was a good idea to put it on to Facebook
0:37:19 > 0:37:24- to let my friends and family know what's going on. - What you've been up to.
0:37:24 > 0:37:30And a niece contacted me and said she wants to keep it in the family and that she would make a bid for it
0:37:30 > 0:37:33- Is she here today? - No.- Bidding online?- She's in London.
0:37:33 > 0:37:38- So you might be taking it away with you again, but belonging to her. - Somebody else.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41- Give her a name check. - Oh, yes. Hi, Wendy.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45- Get clicking, Wendy. - Yes, I hope you get lucky as well.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48It's going under the hammer right now.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50Quite sought-after things, these.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Bid me £100 for it?
0:37:52 > 0:37:55100 I'm bid, straight in.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57100. 100. 100. 110.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00120. 130. 140.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03140 in the room. The net's out. At 140.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06140. 150. 160.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09170. 180.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13- In the room at 180.- It's in the room at 180.- Come on, Wendy.- 190. 200.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16- Yeah, she's there. - £200 only. At 200. 210.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18220.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22- That's great. - 220. 230.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25240. 250.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27- 260. 270.- Wendy wants it.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30I was in touch with some friends in New Zealand
0:38:30 > 0:38:33and they said they'd put a bid in as well.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Gosh!
0:38:35 > 0:38:37310.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41- 320.- That is a strong price. - Yeah.- That is.- 330.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44340. 350.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46360.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49370.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52380.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54390.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57400, is it? 400.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59410. £410.
0:38:59 > 0:39:05Is there any more? At 410 on the machine. At £410.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07And I sell then at £410...
0:39:07 > 0:39:10£410 online. The hammer's gone down.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14That's an awful lot of money for a spelter clock.
0:39:14 > 0:39:20- I think you have done a marvellous job in marketing that.- I did my best.- You did your best, didn't you?
0:39:20 > 0:39:24'From the bronze elephant to wooden furniture.'
0:39:24 > 0:39:29- Lorena, it's great to see you again.- Thank you.- I absolutely love what you're wearing.
0:39:29 > 0:39:33My mum would like that. I'll ask you where you got that later.
0:39:33 > 0:39:38- Who's this?- This is my husband Brian.- Pleased to meet you, Brian. You're wearing blue as well!
0:39:38 > 0:39:42Let's talk about the miniature chest of drawers that I fell in love with.
0:39:42 > 0:39:47The quality of the veneering was superb and the craftsmanship.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50- And the little ivory handles. - It's beautiful.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53Let's see what this does. It's down to the bidders.
0:39:53 > 0:39:57You've heard what I thought of it. You've got your opinion. This is it.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Lot number 592.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04There are sewing accessories and there are sewing accessories.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07I think this is absolutely wonderful
0:40:07 > 0:40:10Fabulous little lot. Bid me £500 to start?
0:40:12 > 0:40:15- £400 only? 400, 400.- Right, we're in
0:40:15 > 0:40:19It's always frightening when they say 500 and it goes...
0:40:19 > 0:40:21420. 430. 440.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23450.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25450. 460.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28460. 460 with me.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31And the net's out. At 460. At 460. 470.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34470. 480.
0:40:34 > 0:40:39480. The net's out. At 480. 90, just in time.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42At 490. At £490. And now me at 500.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46- At £500 only. At £500. - Come on!- Any more at all?
0:40:46 > 0:40:51At £500. It's had its time and it's done then. At 500 and done...
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- Thank you.- It's gone. That's good, isn't it?
0:40:54 > 0:40:57- A round figure, £500. - We can work that out.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02- That's good, isn't it? Are you happy? - Yes, I'm very pleased.- I'm happy.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05'Lorena's overwhelmed with that result.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09'Let's hope these bunnies don't dive down a rabbit hole!'
0:41:09 > 0:41:14I've just been joined by Christina and Margaret and it's a child's tea set, the Bunnykins.
0:41:14 > 0:41:19- Was this yours?- Well, it must have been, yes.- A long time ago?- Yes.
0:41:19 > 0:41:25- Why do you want to sell it?- I've only got two sons.- They wouldn't want that. Let's face it, no.
0:41:25 > 0:41:31- I wouldn't want my mum to leave me that either.- You'd be grateful of anything!- You like it, don't you?
0:41:31 > 0:41:35- I think it's charming.- You said that quite sincerely.- I do, I like it.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39- Were you a Bunnykins girl?- A Bunny girl...- Were you a Bunny girl?
0:41:39 > 0:41:41LAUGHTER
0:41:41 > 0:41:44That's a whole different bunny!
0:41:44 > 0:41:49I think they're endearing and I think they should have great appeal because they're so rare.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53- The damage worries me.- Yeah. - OK, let's find out, shall we?
0:41:53 > 0:41:59- Hopefully, we'll get that sort of figure.- I hope so. The damage worries me, but...
0:41:59 > 0:42:02We're going to find out. This is our lot. Here we go.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05Bunnykins three-piece tea set.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Will you bid me...
0:42:08 > 0:42:11Somebody bid me £800 for it?
0:42:11 > 0:42:15Oh, gosh! Gosh, he's started it high!
0:42:15 > 0:42:18£500 only. At 500. 520. 550.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21580. 600. 620. 650. 680.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25700. 720. 750. 780. 800.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29- That's wonderful. - 820. 850. 880. 900.- They ARE rare.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33920. 950. 980. 1,000. And 50. Any more?
0:42:33 > 0:42:371,050. 1,100. There's the bidder. £1,100.
0:42:37 > 0:42:401,150. 1,200.
0:42:41 > 0:42:431,250. 1,300.
0:42:44 > 0:42:461,350. 1,400.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Brilliant. Wow!
0:42:50 > 0:42:54Do you know? I wish my mum would leave me something like this!
0:42:54 > 0:42:571,450? 1,450?
0:42:57 > 0:43:00Hello? 1,450?
0:43:00 > 0:43:03No. There's the bid at £1,400.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06- £1,400.- At £1,400, there's the bid.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10And I sell then at £1,400 and done, thank you.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13- Well, £1,400, the hammer's gone down.- Brilliant.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16I'm shaking. I've learnt something.
0:43:16 > 0:43:20- Bunnykins.- Bunnykins. That's where the future is!
0:43:20 > 0:43:24- Lots and lots of dosh.- Yes. - What will you do with that?
0:43:24 > 0:43:27I think I will split it with the two sons.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31With the two sons. That's the diplomatic answer.
0:43:31 > 0:43:34I'm just selling their inheritance, so I think we'll split it.
0:43:34 > 0:43:38They'll love their mum now, won't they? Mum's the best!
0:43:38 > 0:43:42'Lucky boys! And lots of happy people in the saleroom.
0:43:42 > 0:43:47'That's all the time we have for today, but join us again on Flog It.'
0:44:09 > 0:44:12Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd