0:00:04 > 0:00:07Today, we've travelled to a scenic north Hertfordshire.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11But it's not just the spectacular scenery I have come to look at.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16Take a look at this - the Large Reclining Figure, ten metres long.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18It's one of Henry Moore's best-loved sculptures.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20Later, I'll be finding out
0:00:20 > 0:00:23more about the village he called home for 40 years.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26First, it's over to the other end of the county
0:00:26 > 0:00:28to find some fine art of our own.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Welcome to Flog It!
0:00:52 > 0:00:55'Hosting our hunt for today's antiques and collectables
0:00:55 > 0:00:57'is a world-class venue - Ashridge House,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00'in the historic town of Berkhamsted.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06'It's here that the Norman invasion came to a stop in 1066,
0:01:06 > 0:01:10'where William the Conqueror officially became King.'
0:01:13 > 0:01:18It may not be the Norman Conquest, but we do have an army of people
0:01:18 > 0:01:22who have marched across the counties of Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire,
0:01:22 > 0:01:24all laden with antiques and collectables,
0:01:24 > 0:01:28all eager to ask our experts that all-important question, which is...
0:01:28 > 0:01:31CROWD: What's it worth?
0:01:34 > 0:01:38'Heading the treasure hunt at the front of the queue is Claire Rawle.'
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Right, that's a reward for getting here so early!
0:01:41 > 0:01:44'And bringing up the rear, Thomas Plant.'
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Come on, Thomas. Give us a 100-yards dash.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50100-yards dash! You don't want to see me run!
0:01:55 > 0:01:59There's an Italianate feel about today's programme.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01Where the cameras are set up now
0:02:01 > 0:02:03are the Italian-inspired Lady Marian Alford rooms
0:02:03 > 0:02:07with marble fireplaces, fluted columns and architectural detail
0:02:07 > 0:02:10picked out in rich gold leaf.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12It really does shine and glow.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14But outside, our researchers are working hard
0:02:14 > 0:02:17on all the items that are going under the hammer,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20overlooking the Italian gardens.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22How inspirational is that?
0:02:22 > 0:02:24'Let's see what they've come up with.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26'It looks like it's Thomas first,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29'who's about to unravel a bit of British history.'
0:02:29 > 0:02:33- We've got an unusual item, haven't we, Isabella?- Yes.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35- Shall we unfurl it?- Yes.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Let's show the...people.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41- This is a big flag, isn't it?- It is. - What's the story behind this?
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Well, it belonged to my father.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46When he died, we found it in his belongings.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50- Your father, was he in the Scouts or the military?- No.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53He helped in the fire brigade in the Second World War,
0:02:53 > 0:02:57but we think this may have come from his granny who lived in the village.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01People call it the Union Jack, but the right name is the Union Flag.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- That's right.- And we are holding it up the right way?- We are.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08Because of the thick white band at the top with your toggle.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12He's a little bit moth-eaten, but I think somebody can forgive that.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15I think it's almost like a coronation flag
0:03:15 > 0:03:20for maybe a village church or even a Scout group.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22So, why did you bring it along?
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Well, it's been tucked in a box in the attic.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28I thought it wasn't good being up there, so I thought,
0:03:28 > 0:03:29the world needs to see it!
0:03:29 > 0:03:34- They do! Have you got any idea of value?- No idea whatsoever.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Do you mind, or just want it to go to a good home?
0:03:37 > 0:03:40I'd like it to be displayed somehow, I don't know how.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- Rather than in the attic. - Yeah. Absolutely.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48- I think I'd put £50 to £80 on it. - Right.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50- Not a huge amount of money.- Yeah.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- I think we'd reserve it round about 30.- Right.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56- How does that grab you? - Can we not reserve it at 40?
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- We can do it at 40. God! - SHE LAUGHS
0:03:59 > 0:04:01We'll do that at 40.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04I was just going to give it the best chance possible.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07We'll do it at £40 and it's got a good chance.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11- It is quite a big flag.- It is. - And the colours are so strong.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19'Claire has her sights on another timely piece from a bygone era.'
0:04:20 > 0:04:24You've brought a really nice item. Tell me a bit about it.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29My husband bought it - we reckon about 20 years ago, not quite sure -
0:04:29 > 0:04:33for scrap at an antique fair for £15.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- The idea was to scrap the silver case.- Yes.- It's in a silver case.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42Then he took it to a local watchmaker who said, "Ooh, it's worth repairing."
0:04:42 > 0:04:47So we spent about £350, which seemed like an awful lot of money then.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52- We'd be interested in knowing a bit about it.- It's a lovely thing.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56It's a chronometer. That's a much more sophisticated timepiece.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- Oh, right.- It's better than your average pocket watch.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02It's a nice, nice item.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06You've got this lovely silver dial with various subsidiary dials.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Nice hands and things.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11You say you had it overhauled by a watchmaker?
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- He was obviously a very good chap. He did a good job.- Yeah, he was.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19- There's a temptation to do tidying-up to dials.- Right.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Which, as far as a collector goes, is absolute death to anything.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27It's got all its original silvering. Nice blued steel hands on it.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29It's a very simple-looking item.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31From that, you'd think, "That's quite nice."
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- Yes.- "But it's not that special."
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Then you turn it over,
0:05:36 > 0:05:40then on the back, you've got this rather interesting hot-air balloon.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43We thought that was unusual!
0:05:43 > 0:05:45It was the time when it was still
0:05:45 > 0:05:47in its infancy, hot-air ballooning.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49If you open it up,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51nice set of hallmarks inside,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54which give you the date, 1838.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57We've got an inscription. It's quite difficult to read.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01- It relates to Victoria's coronation. - Oh, right.
0:06:01 > 0:06:06She succeeded to the throne in 1837, so we're all tying in nicely.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09The thing I really love is when you get into the back,
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- you open this last cover and there we have...- It's amazing!
0:06:13 > 0:06:17..just the back of the movement, beautifully made, quite understated.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20You've got this nice engraved cock,
0:06:20 > 0:06:24which covers the escapement inside and the balance wheel.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28- Do you see that sparkly thing?- Yes. - Sitting in the end there.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32- That's a diamond endstone. It's quite a big one.- It is!
0:06:32 > 0:06:35They were used in good movements because they're very tough,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38it holds it all together, and it's very decorative.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43This is something that the ordinary person wouldn't have been able to afford.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46- This was an expensive item in its day.- Oh, right.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50It would have been a gentleman, a gentleman interested in time,
0:06:50 > 0:06:55and not necessarily interested in the foppish look.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Because you have quite a simple-looking item.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01It doesn't express wealth by a quick look at it.
0:07:01 > 0:07:06- So I think it would be somebody who had money, definitely...- Right.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09..was interested in modern technology.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13- Oh, right.- This is, sort of, the latest iPhone of its day.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16It's something you've decided to sell?
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- We have, yes.- Anybody who knows anything about chronometers
0:07:20 > 0:07:24will think, "Wow! That's really nice, an interesting piece."
0:07:24 > 0:07:26- £500 to £600?- Oh, really?
0:07:26 > 0:07:29- Yes.- Yes. That's wonderful. - The more I look at it,
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- the more I think that it will do very well.- Oh, right.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35If you put a £500 reserve on it...
0:07:35 > 0:07:40- Right.- Fix it. Is that OK? - Yes, that's fine.
0:07:40 > 0:07:45- Estimate 500 to 600.- Right. - Yeah, I think it should go well.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55It's been a busy and industrious morning for our experts,
0:07:55 > 0:07:59but they have now made their first choices of items to take to auction.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02This is where it gets exciting. We put those values to the test.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05It's all down to the bidders. What do they think?
0:08:05 > 0:08:10Here's a quick recap of the items that are going under the hammer.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13'Time is ticking for Margaret's Victorian watch.
0:08:13 > 0:08:14'Will she pocket a profit?
0:08:16 > 0:08:21'Will Isabella's Union Flag be raised to pole position at auction?
0:08:23 > 0:08:26'We're leaving Ashridge and going to Tring,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29'to put our items under the hammer.'
0:08:29 > 0:08:34Tring Market Auction rooms has had people buying and selling antiques for over 20 years.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Judging by this crowd, it's going to be busy.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Fingers crossed for one or two surprises.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42'Whether you're buying or selling, you'll pay commission...
0:08:47 > 0:08:49'..Let's see what's first up.'
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Right now, we are flying the flag for antiques!
0:08:52 > 0:08:55It's the Union Flag about to go under the hammer.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- Isabelle, thank you for bringing that in.- You're welcome.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Why are you selling this.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02We were just sorting through the attic
0:09:02 > 0:09:05and found it amongst my dad's bits and bobs
0:09:05 > 0:09:08and thought, "That's a bit smelly! We'd better get rid of that!"
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- "That's a bit smelly!" - "That's a bit smelly, isn't it?!"
0:09:12 > 0:09:16"I prefer 50 quid than something smelly," that's what you thought!
0:09:16 > 0:09:18- The smell of the money.- Yeah.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21- Yeah!- I hope we're going to make the estimate.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24I put it in at not very much money, so you never know.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- I think you'll get £50. - You think so?- Yeah.
0:09:28 > 0:09:33Everybody's feeling like we're putting the "Great" back into Britain right now.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37- Also, we're regaining the flag.- Yes. So, good luck.- Thank you.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39Lot number 116 now.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43There you are, the Union Jack. Fine flag, that one.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46100? Or 50? Or 60? 70, I've got.
0:09:46 > 0:09:5080 I'm bid now. 90. Are you going to be the £100, sir?
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- £100 we're bid for it, then. 110. - Gosh!- That's good.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56- 120. - Ooh, my lord!
0:09:56 > 0:09:59130 I'm bid now!
0:09:59 > 0:10:01Madam, keep going. No? OK, then.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04I sell at £130, then.
0:10:04 > 0:10:09- £130. Sold!- Wow!- Good result. - Brilliant.- Amazing.- Yes.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11We did put the "Great" back in Britain!
0:10:14 > 0:10:17'How will the pocket watch fare next?'
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Margaret and I are hoping to turn a £15 buy
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- into something like £600, £700, maybe £800?- Well, hopefully! Yes.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28- With any luck.- We're talking about that wonderful pocket watch.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- 1838, commemorative pocket watch, Queen Victoria.- Yes.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- This is quality, isn't it? - Very, very nice.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38It's got a lovely movement in it. When it was cleaned, they found
0:10:38 > 0:10:41the maker's name in the back, so it's a good thing.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- It's got everything going for it. - Absolutely. Hope so.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49This is the beauty of an auction.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- Anything could happen. Could have a surprise.- Hopefully.
0:10:52 > 0:10:53Lot 216.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57We ought to be close to 500 for this one.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59300 bid. Thank you, sir. 300 I'm bid.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04400 he says. 400 I am bid. 500 we're bid for it. At 500.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09Going well. Are you going to finish? At 500 I'm going to have to sell it.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11£500...
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Thank you very much.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- I'm happy with that.- It's wonderful! From £15, it's not bad, is it?
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- You got the money back from the repairs as well.- Yes.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- And you had all those years of enjoyment.- Absolutely.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- Been really good. - Yes. I'm pleased with that.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- It's a nice thing, so well done. - Thank you.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35'There's some great art on display here at the fine art sale in Tring.
0:11:35 > 0:11:40'I'm always fascinated by where pieces have come from and what inspired them.'
0:11:40 > 0:11:43While we're filming in the area,
0:11:43 > 0:11:46I had the opportunity of visiting another fascinating collection,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48that of the sculptor Henry Moore,
0:11:48 > 0:11:52who lived in Hertfordshire for the last 46 years of his life.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56The legacy he left this county is really quite extraordinary.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08All our judgements of architecture, of form and everything else
0:12:08 > 0:12:12are based on the fact that we're human beings of the shape we are.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15If we were like horses, and could go to sleep on all fours,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19all our architecture, all our art would be different.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20Of course it would.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26'From a red telephone box with a small art exhibition inside,
0:12:26 > 0:12:30'to a field of sheep, all grazing in the shadow of a bronze sculpture.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34'Perry Green in the village of Much Hadham houses works created by
0:12:34 > 0:12:38'one of the most influential and acclaimed artists of our time,
0:12:38 > 0:12:41'the British sculptor Henry Moore.'
0:12:43 > 0:12:46Although Henry Moore was a Yorkshireman born and bred,
0:12:46 > 0:12:49his connection to Perry Green was a long and deep-rooted one.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54Having moved here just after the start of the Second World War in 1939,
0:12:54 > 0:12:58this village became home to Henry Moore and his family for the next 46 years,
0:12:58 > 0:13:04a place where some of his most iconic sculpture was brought to life and put on display.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15'But the move to Hertfordshire was one of chance rather than design.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20'In 1940, Henry and his wife Irena were forced to abandon their London home and studios,
0:13:20 > 0:13:24'which had been badly damaged during the Blitz.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29'This old farmhouse, Hoglands, became their new abode.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32'The couple settled in quickly to village life
0:13:32 > 0:13:35'and, crucially, Henry resumed his sculpting.'
0:13:37 > 0:13:41This is Henry's first studio, known as the top studio.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44It was his principal work space for 15 years.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Sadly, I'm not allowed to go the other side of the glass.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51I would dearly love to get in there to touch some of the tools.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54There is so much history here in this little room.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57This is the type of studio that Henry would have loved.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59It's unpretentious. It's organic.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02But essentially, it has the most incredible light.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05That's so important to work by.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09It was in here in 1943 that he carved Madonna And Child
0:14:09 > 0:14:11from brown Portland stone,
0:14:11 > 0:14:15and many of his other early plaster works ready for bronze casting,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18such as Draped Torso.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Just as forms of the human body dominated Moore's work,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25so did elements of the natural world.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29It is said that many of his fluid shapes in his sculptures
0:14:29 > 0:14:32reflected the Yorkshire landscape of his childhood.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36But he also drew influences from his immediate working environment.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39Whilst at Hoglands, Henry would wander around the gardens
0:14:39 > 0:14:42and pick up pieces of broken bone, shell and stones
0:14:42 > 0:14:46and use these as a material, theme or choice for a lot of his work.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50To give you an example, his Torso 1976 sculpture
0:14:50 > 0:14:55started out life as a small piece of flint very much like this piece,
0:14:55 > 0:14:57which Henry would have found walking along the path.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00He would take this back to his maquette studio,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03position it by a piece of clay and start to model the clay.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07Before long, this piece of flint took on a whole new meaning.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11To have a collection of things like this around you
0:15:11 > 0:15:14means that if I walk in here in the morning,
0:15:14 > 0:15:16there's something that will get me thinking.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21Any shape whatever - people, trees, the clouds -
0:15:21 > 0:15:28any shape whatever is a possible starting or excitement for me.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36The birth of Moore's daughter Mary in 1946
0:15:36 > 0:15:38also provided inspiration.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42Moore became focused on concepts involving the family,
0:15:42 > 0:15:47and created many mother and child compositions for public spaces.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52As Henry's reputation grew and the commissions became more frequent,
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Hoglands became a hive of artistic activity.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Moore employed assistants, expanded his studios
0:16:00 > 0:16:02and played host to many visitors.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07It wasn't just studios and a sculpture garden that Henry and his team created here.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10In the early part of the 1950s, they constructed their own foundry,
0:16:10 > 0:16:14so Henry could cast his own lead and bronze sculptures.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18The foundry would have been built around here, which is overgrown now.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Back then, it would have been all hands at the pump.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26Even his secretary was drafted in to operate a large set of bellows
0:16:26 > 0:16:29to keep the metal hot enough to pour.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32By all accounts, Moore was a workaholic.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36With his life's work surrounding him, he rarely switched off.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41As time went on, Moore was also preoccupied by his legacy,
0:16:41 > 0:16:46and so he established the Henry Moore Foundation in 1977,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49to promote sculpture within the cultural life of the country.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Henry Moore never really retired.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54He worked on his ideas right up until the end,
0:16:54 > 0:16:59producing mainly sketches in his later years, due to arthritis setting in.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04Upon his death in 1986, production of sculpture on this site ceased,
0:17:04 > 0:17:08but the dawn of a new era for his work was just around the corner.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Work began in 2004 to restore Hoglands to the way it was
0:17:14 > 0:17:17when Moore and his family lived there.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23The gardens and studios were left as they were in the artist's time,
0:17:23 > 0:17:25except now they were part of a public space
0:17:25 > 0:17:28where people could enjoy his sculptures,
0:17:28 > 0:17:32as they had done as Moore's guests for many decades before.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37The Henry Moore Foundation is open to the general public from April to October every year.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41What a fitting tribute - the place where many of his great sculptures
0:17:41 > 0:17:46were conceived and made are here on display for all of us to enjoy.
0:17:46 > 0:17:51The same place that inspired him, this very ground, for over 40 years.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Welcome back to Ashridge House,
0:18:05 > 0:18:07our magnificent venue for our valuation day.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12Let's catch up with our experts and see what other items we can find to take to auction.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22'I've found a special piece of Lowry memorabilia
0:18:22 > 0:18:24'owned by Peter and Judith.'
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Life In Industry - there you are, front cover of the catalogue.
0:18:31 > 0:18:37Lowry, a typical scene showing the industrial northern landscape.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41"LS Lowry, June 22, 1953."
0:18:41 > 0:18:44It's a signed piece of paper by Lowry
0:18:44 > 0:18:49of what I can gather is the most wonderful exhibition of art works
0:18:49 > 0:18:52for sale on the open market.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54How did you come by this?
0:18:54 > 0:18:57We found this in a box of books about the Manchester Ship Canal,
0:18:57 > 0:18:59inside one of the books.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03- In an auction room, a junk shop? - It was in a car-boot sale.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07- How long ago?- About three years ago. - How much did you pay for it?
0:19:07 > 0:19:13We only paid... It was certainly less than £5 for the whole box of books. This was just inside.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- What have you done with this for three years?- It's been on a shelf,
0:19:17 > 0:19:21in a bookcase, with us wondering what to do with it.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24If we put that into auction, I would put a value of...
0:19:24 > 0:19:26What do you think?
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Well... We've no idea, really.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34If it was a signed limited print, of which there are many on the market,
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- £3,000 to £8,000.- Gee whizz!- Yeah.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Obviously, you're buying a bit of his signed art work.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43We don't have his art work, but we have...
0:19:43 > 0:19:47by all intents and purposes, let's say a signed print.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49- HE LAUGHS - In a way!
0:19:49 > 0:19:52If you frame that up, I think that's wonderful!
0:19:52 > 0:19:55- It tells you exactly what day he was there.- Yeah.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00I think you could put this into auction with a value of £80 to £120.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- Oh, wow.- That would be superb. - That's very good.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05HE LAUGHS
0:20:05 > 0:20:09If you'd like to sell it, I would like to enter that into the auction.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13- Yes.- That sounds great. - That sounds good to me.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16That would be brilliant, thank you.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Well, we need one more item for auction, and it's Thomas's move.
0:20:22 > 0:20:28So, Barbara, this piece of Anglo-Indian art
0:20:28 > 0:20:33would be the kind of thing you'd find in a house like behind me.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- Really?- Yeah.- Wonderful. - It's that sort of quality.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39- Do you like it?- I do, yes. I do.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42We've never played chess on it and I've never played chess,
0:20:42 > 0:20:44but I've always had it on display
0:20:44 > 0:20:46because I think it's just a beautiful ornament.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Where did it come from?
0:20:48 > 0:20:50It came from my late husband's family.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54He inherited it from his grandparents.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57- Were they wealthy people? - I'm not too sure.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02I know they were of the era when the ladies went on the Grand Tour.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- Yeah.- So it's possible that they might have picked it up there.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09Might have picked it up, late 19th century, on the Grand Tour.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11India might have been a stretch too far.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14The Grand Tour's mainly round Europe,
0:21:14 > 0:21:18but they could have gone there and bought it, maybe in a market,
0:21:18 > 0:21:22in Turkey, maybe, where it could have come overland, so to speak.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- Yes.- But it is rather handsome.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29We say it's Anglo-Indian because it's got the use here of bone,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32ivory and tortoiseshell.
0:21:32 > 0:21:38The ivory in this was used, and this was made, well before 1947.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42Anything later than 1947, we cannot sell,
0:21:42 > 0:21:44it is illegal to handle.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47But ivory made pre-then is OK.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- The work in this is amazing, isn't it?- It is. Beautiful.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53You've got this tortoiseshell base
0:21:53 > 0:21:57and then this beautiful fretwork around the octagonal
0:21:57 > 0:22:04with this amazing engraved and painted design around the octagonal.
0:22:04 > 0:22:10On this beautiful turned horn stem
0:22:10 > 0:22:12with ivory roundels
0:22:12 > 0:22:15and on a similar tortoiseshell and fretwork carved base
0:22:15 > 0:22:19on these paw feet. Now, these feet are bone.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- Oh, they're bone.- They're bone. They're not ivory, they're bone.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- You see the little black flecks? - Yes.- Those are blood vessels.
0:22:26 > 0:22:31Bone has blood in it. Ivory is a pure substance.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- Thought it was dirt! - No, it's not dirt!
0:22:33 > 0:22:37And then to top it all off, not only have you got the chessboard,
0:22:37 > 0:22:42you've got the pieces as well - white and a red stained one.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45Again, these are ivory. It's amazing that it's complete.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50There's one or two nicks out of the rooks and a bit of fret missing.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54This can be restored. It's not the end of the world.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58- Otherwise, it's all there.- Yes. - Very collectable in today's market.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Why do you think it is so collectable?
0:23:00 > 0:23:04Well, either because of the ivory and the tortoiseshell,
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- or people collecting chessboards? - You've hit the nail on the head.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11You've got people who collect Anglo-Indian works of art.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13You've got people who collect chess pieces.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Also, you've got the emerging economies.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- The emerging economy of India are collecting back...- Are they?
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Yeah, of course. Absolutely.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24And the Far East, the Chinese,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28do like anything made out of ivory or tortoiseshell.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31So they're quite keen on all of these subjects.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35And of course, we have our own collectors here.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Therefore, that will command a good valuation.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42I think an estimate should be £500 to £700.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44- I think that's pretty good!- Yeah?
0:23:44 > 0:23:50- We reserve it at 400?- Yes.- I think it's a very, very handsome set.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54- Good.- Will you come to the auction? - I will. It's not far away from me.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57- I'll certainly come.- I'll look forward to seeing you there.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02What an inspiring day we have had here at Ashridge House.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05We've seen hundreds of antiques and collectables.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Right now, let's put those valuations to the test.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Let's get over to the auction room in Tring for the last time.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Here's a quick recap of what's going under the hammer.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17'This Lowry signed print was found hidden in a box of books.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20'But will the story have a happy ending?
0:24:20 > 0:24:24'And will it be checkmate or chequebooks at the ready
0:24:24 > 0:24:27'for Barbara's exquisite Anglo-Indian chess set?
0:24:32 > 0:24:36Dudley Art Gallery, 1953. I wish I was there, but I wasn't born.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40- Peter and Judith! Wouldn't you have loved to have been there?- Yes.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44Gosh! To see all that talent on display!
0:24:44 > 0:24:46At least you've got a little memento.
0:24:46 > 0:24:51Picked up for £5. That's incredible! In a bunch of old books!
0:24:51 > 0:24:54- Yeah.- You were just flicking through.- So lucky to see it.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58We might have missed it completely, no trouble.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02- We didn't know it was there when we bought it.- I love this.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05I hope this goes to a good collector.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Fingers crossed. Here we go. We're handing things over
0:25:08 > 0:25:11to Stephen on the rostrum to let him weave his magic.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13Number 433.
0:25:14 > 0:25:21We have this catalogue, Life In Industry, signed by Lowry!
0:25:21 > 0:25:22There it is, on there.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Good signature on the front. That's worth £100 for the signature.
0:25:25 > 0:25:2850? Yes, we're off. 60. 70.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Are you 80? 90. Perhaps even 100?
0:25:31 > 0:25:35Yes! 100 I am bid. And ten. And 20 now.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38And 30. 140. 150, is it?
0:25:38 > 0:25:41160. 170. 180. Are you 90?
0:25:41 > 0:25:46190, then. I'm selling for £190. Thank you.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Sold! £190!
0:25:49 > 0:25:51LAUGHING: That's brilliant!
0:25:51 > 0:25:55Yeah. Not bad for a £5 purchase!
0:25:55 > 0:25:58And I expect you've still got those books.
0:25:58 > 0:26:04Still got the books. That's what we bought. Now we've got £190 as well.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06- There you go.- Thank you very much.
0:26:06 > 0:26:12- It's incredible what can happen in an auction room. - Made up! Thank you! Right!
0:26:13 > 0:26:16'Next, completing our artistic extravaganza,
0:26:16 > 0:26:18'the Anglo-Indian chess set.'
0:26:18 > 0:26:22I'd like to thank you for bringing in possibly one of the best items
0:26:22 > 0:26:25I've seen on Flog It! for many, many years.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30That Anglo-Indian chess set, which Thomas had the pleasure of valuing.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34- Lots of interest.- Oh. - It's quality. Quality always sells.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38The damage won't put anybody off. I mean, it will NOT!
0:26:38 > 0:26:44- Why are you selling this? - Well, because I don't play chess.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47- Mm-hm.- My son and daughter don't want to inherit it.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49It's just such a lovely thing
0:26:49 > 0:26:54that I'd like it to go to a good home to be repaired and to be used.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58It's exciting because it's going under the hammer right now.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Fingers crossed. Hope it flies, I really do. This is it.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Right, lot number 153.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08The Anglo-Indian miniature chess set.
0:27:08 > 0:27:13Shall we say 400? And 50. And 500. And 50.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17600. And 50. 700. And 50.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20800. And 50. 900 we're bid.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22950 I'm bid for it.
0:27:22 > 0:27:251,000 I have. 1,000. And 50.
0:27:25 > 0:27:281,100? I've got 1,100, thank you.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31At £1,100, then. 50 is it?
0:27:31 > 0:27:36I sell for £1,100. Thank you.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39- That's good, isn't it?- Very good.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41Very good result.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43Is that a sad moment? It's gone.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47- In a way, but I won't have to dust it any more!- No!
0:27:48 > 0:27:51'The chess set more than doubled its reserve
0:27:51 > 0:27:55'and Barbara can put away her duster. Good result all round.'
0:27:55 > 0:27:58The auction's still going on, but it's all over for our owners.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00What a fabulous day we've had.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03All of our owners have gone home very happy,
0:28:03 > 0:28:04and that's what it's all about.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08If you've been inspired by their finds today, why not join us in auction?
0:28:08 > 0:28:12Surely, you must have something lurking in your attics and cupboards
0:28:12 > 0:28:15that could be worth a small fortune.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16Go on, give it a go. Until then,
0:28:16 > 0:28:20from Tring here in Hertfordshire, it's goodbye.