0:00:05 > 0:00:09Today, we're at one of the most romantic buildings
0:00:09 > 0:00:13in the country - Grade I listed Highcliffe Castle in Dorset,
0:00:13 > 0:00:17which has many fascinating features hidden in its furthest recesses,
0:00:17 > 0:00:20and we'll be looking at some of those later on in the programme.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Welcome to "Flog It!"
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Our valuation day is at Highcliffe Castle in Dorset,
0:00:46 > 0:00:50where the sweeping hills and rugged coastline reveal a past
0:00:50 > 0:00:53that goes back to prehistoric times.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56The fossils of ancient dinosaurs can still be uncovered in the rocks,
0:00:56 > 0:00:59as well as the remnants of early Britons.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02The castle isn't quite that old
0:01:02 > 0:01:06but, nevertheless, it holds its own kind of secrets.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Look at this magnificent setting. Hundreds of people have turned up
0:01:09 > 0:01:11and we're going to be taking over
0:01:11 > 0:01:13all of the formal lawns for our valuations.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15And, of course, fingers crossed,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19one or two of you will be going home with a small fortune in the auction.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21They're here to show our experts their antiques and collectibles,
0:01:21 > 0:01:23some of which have been hidden in cupboards
0:01:23 > 0:01:25or under the stairs for many years.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28And if you're happy with the valuation, what are you going to do?
0:01:28 > 0:01:30ALL: Flog it!
0:01:31 > 0:01:33As our crowds get their objects out,
0:01:33 > 0:01:36our experts have their eyes on the prize.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38But Christina Trevanion doesn't seem to know what to do with it
0:01:38 > 0:01:40once she's got it...
0:01:40 > 0:01:43It probably would help if I opened it, wouldn't it, really?
0:01:43 > 0:01:47..while Philip Serrell has found the model for several objects.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Just hold on just a minute.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52A slight pout. A bit of a pout, look.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57- Like that, out there like that... - Yes.
0:01:57 > 0:01:58That leg like that. It is!
0:01:58 > 0:02:01It's you, isn't it?! When did you model for that?
0:02:01 > 0:02:04That sets the tone for the day.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09And later on in the show... Christina is modelling again.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12- Ooh! - CHRISTINA LAUGHS
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Philip is playing games.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18- Look at that little mouse. - I know, he's lovely.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21And there are some great surprises at the auction.
0:02:21 > 0:02:22Wow!
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Oh!
0:02:24 > 0:02:27And later on in the programme, I'm going back in time
0:02:27 > 0:02:29to find out how you use a tool like this
0:02:29 > 0:02:32to make a building like that.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39Our valuation day venue, Highcliffe Castle,
0:02:39 > 0:02:41might look like a medieval stronghold,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44but it's only been here since the 19th century,
0:02:44 > 0:02:48when its great turrets, stained glass and embellishments were taken
0:02:48 > 0:02:53from medieval buildings in France to decorate this vast structure.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55And what a beautiful job they did.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Well, the sun has come out and everybody is smiling
0:02:58 > 0:03:01but, right now, things are going to get a whole lot better.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04We have our first item and it's with Philip Serrell.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09And he's found an object with something interesting hidden inside.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12Now, that looks, to all the world,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15- like you bought a little football, doesn't it?- It does.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17But you and I know it's not that, don't we?
0:03:17 > 0:03:23So, if we just open that up like that... There we go.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27This is a Masonic pendant and, if you look at it,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29these are called the working tools, here, of a mason,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33cos you've got the square and the level and the compasses,
0:03:33 > 0:03:38you've got the columns here, you've got the all-seeing eye just there,
0:03:38 > 0:03:41and you've got all these other symbols and ciphers,
0:03:41 > 0:03:45all of which, in Masonic terms, are very, very emblematic.
0:03:45 > 0:03:46So, Masonry, in this country,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48I suppose started off in the 18th century,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51so do you come from a long family of Masons
0:03:51 > 0:03:52or is this something you bought or...?
0:03:52 > 0:03:55No, no, I come from a family of Masons, yeah.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57My father, my grandfather,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00all the uncles that I can think of are Masons.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05- So, every male in your family was a Mason.- Yes, including my mother.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08So, your mum was a Mason. Now, many people don't know
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- that there are, sort of, lodges for ladies, aren't there?- Yeah.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Did your dad wear this?
0:04:14 > 0:04:16No, I can't remember seeing him with that
0:04:16 > 0:04:19because they kept it secret and I used to peek into the briefcase
0:04:19 > 0:04:22and you'd see aprons and gloves and...
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Someone once told me there's an expression
0:04:25 > 0:04:27that Freemasonry is not a secret society,
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- but it's a society with secrets.- Yeah.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32But all that's changing now because there's this great move
0:04:32 > 0:04:35that Masonry should be much more open
0:04:35 > 0:04:39and people should know what's going on, and quite right it is.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43So here, you've got this lovely little Masonic ball
0:04:43 > 0:04:46and perhaps the most important symbol and cipher on it
0:04:46 > 0:04:49is that one up there which says nine-carat gold!
0:04:49 > 0:04:51THEY LAUGH
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- OK, so no more Masons in the family? - No, no.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56- Not looking like there's going to be any more?- No.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- It's time to go? - It is, it's time to go.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02I think, at auction, it's going to make probably £80 to £120
0:05:02 > 0:05:07- and I think I'd probably recommend a fixed reserve of £80.- OK.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- Are you happy with that?- Yeah.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12And let's hope that the auction room is full of Masons,
0:05:12 > 0:05:16all of whom haven't got one of these and are desperate for one.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18As we know on this show,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Masonic memorabilia is highly sought-after
0:05:21 > 0:05:24and I'm sure there will be plenty of eager buyers
0:05:24 > 0:05:26for this mysterious pendant.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31There are more secrets hidden in the nooks and crannies of this castle.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34In the attic, there are architectural remnants piled high,
0:05:34 > 0:05:36which will eventually go on display,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38and in the lower floor of the castle,
0:05:38 > 0:05:40there's a fascinating feature.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43This is below stairs, where the servants would have been
0:05:43 > 0:05:46and this is the butler's staircase.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48Only the butler could use this staircase
0:05:48 > 0:05:51and I'll show you where it ends up, if you follow me.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54It's quite narrow.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00He couldn't be a portly sort of chap, that's for sure.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Anyway, here I am, I'm at the top,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05and this is where he would arrive, rather discreetly,
0:06:05 > 0:06:10to greet guests, upon arrival, at the front of the house.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14And just look at that for an entrance! Isn't that spectacular?
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Well, right now, it's time to catch up with our experts
0:06:17 > 0:06:20to see what else we can find to take off to auction.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Christina's found an object that depicts the kind of people
0:06:25 > 0:06:29who would have been greeted at the doors of a castle like Highcliffe.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- It's such a pleasure to welcome you two here.- Thank you.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- It's Doortje and Jan, is that right? - Yes.- That's right.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Very, very huge welcome to "Flog It!" and to England,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- cos you've travelled here specially today, haven't you?- Yes.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- And where have you come from? - From Holland.- From Holland?- Yes.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47- Just to see us today.- Yesterday.- The south of Holland, yes.- My goodness!
0:06:47 > 0:06:50What an honour to have you here. Thank you so much for coming.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52You have brought, today,
0:06:52 > 0:06:56the most quintessential of English pictures with you.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Where on earth did you get it from?
0:06:58 > 0:07:03Um, we bought it a few years ago in an auction in Belgium.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- And what attracted you to the picture?- The humour.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- The humour in it?- Yes. - It's wonderful, isn't it?
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- And the more you look at it, the more you see, don't you?- Yes.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14So this is a fairly iconic image. I have seen quite a few of them.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16It's by a chap called Charles Johnson Payne,
0:07:16 > 0:07:20who was an artist at the turn of the century. He actually died in 1967.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25- And his most prolific work was between 1900 and 1920.- Mmm-hmm.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28He's more popularly known as Snaffles
0:07:28 > 0:07:31and the reason that he was called Snaffles is cos originally,
0:07:31 > 0:07:36- his logo was in the form of a horse's snaffle, a horse's bit.- Oh!
0:07:36 > 0:07:38So that's how he became known as Snaffles.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40This isn't an original.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43It would be great if it was, but it's not, sadly.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46But he was known for producing these prints,
0:07:46 > 0:07:50so it's a hand-coloured lithograph and it's, effectively, a print
0:07:50 > 0:07:51which has been hand-coloured
0:07:51 > 0:07:54to introduce these highlights of colour.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56We've got this wonderful hunting scene here.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00He was famous for depicting the leisure time,
0:08:00 > 0:08:03the pastimes of the very upper echelons of society.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05And this one here, we've got the title here which says...
0:08:09 > 0:08:11I love it! And every one of them, I would imagine,
0:08:11 > 0:08:13has been taken from life, because they're so detailed.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16He's picked up all these wonderful little idiosyncrasies.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20We've got a chap smoking a cigar here, this chap doffing his hat,
0:08:20 > 0:08:23saying good morning, and I think that's glorious.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26He did the sketches and he was famous for these sketches,
0:08:26 > 0:08:29and then, originally, it would be Snaffles' sisters
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- who would hand-colour them...- Oh!
0:08:31 > 0:08:34..and pick out all the different colour elements to them
0:08:34 > 0:08:36and have the colours wonderfully balanced.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39You've got the three grey horses sort of equidistantly spaced,
0:08:39 > 0:08:41but one of them is behind,
0:08:41 > 0:08:44this one is really bringing the eye to the centre of the picture,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47as a lovely focal point, and this one is leading the pack,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50so it just creates this wonderful sense of movement.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54And I think that's really clever and it was very typical of his work
0:08:54 > 0:08:57that he would use this quite muted palette but very effectively.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59And I think what's even nicer,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02we've got this wonderful description down here.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04It says here, "Published April 2nd, 1913,
0:09:04 > 0:09:07"by Messrs Fores, 41 Piccadilly, London."
0:09:07 > 0:09:11At auction, I would say somewhere in the region of £100 to £200.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- How would you feel about that? - Yes, it's OK.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16- Would that be all right? - Mmm-hmm.- Splendid.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- And how much did you pay for it, if you don't mind me asking?- 38 euros.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- OK, so you can't be too disappointed with that.- No.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- Would you like to protect it with a reserve?- Yes.- £100.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30I would suggest a discretionary reserve of £100
0:09:30 > 0:09:33and I'm fairly sure that we'll find it a new home at that.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35I think it's a wonderful thing and thank you so much
0:09:35 > 0:09:38for travelling so far just to come and see us.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- We're truly honoured, thank you. - It was our pleasure.
0:09:41 > 0:09:42Yeah, it was our pleasure.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48The Dorset coast, just a few yards from the castle
0:09:48 > 0:09:52and our valuation day, is famous for the animals and fossils
0:09:52 > 0:09:54that lie hidden in its limestone cliffs.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58And just look what Kenneth has brought me.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01It is the footprint of a dinosaur.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Yes, it's the footprint of an iguanodon.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Are you a budding palaeontologist?
0:10:06 > 0:10:09I was interested in palaeontology as a kid
0:10:09 > 0:10:12but I was helping my father at my uncle's quarry,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15making tiles, and I was splitting the rocks,
0:10:15 > 0:10:18cos they needed to be split to a certain thickness
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- to make roofing tiles.- Ah, right.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25But when I split it open, I could see a dinosaur footprint.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28My dad said, "Oh, they're no good.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30"You can't use them as roofing tiles."
0:10:30 > 0:10:33Well, I think this is worth an awful lot more than a roofing tile.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Basically, that's the raised section,
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- so that sits on top of this.- Yes.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- And you split this with your chisel...- That's right.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42..straight down there. That's the footprint.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47That's the impression of its toes, so its heel section's missing.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49But you can see it better from that section, can't you,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- which is upside down?- Yes, so that's its foot really, isn't it?
0:10:52 > 0:10:54So, these things, really,
0:10:54 > 0:10:59iguanodons, were on the menu for T Rexes, weren't they?
0:10:59 > 0:11:03Cos these were plant eaters. I think this is fantastic.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05It's possibly one of the most exciting things
0:11:05 > 0:11:07I've ever seen on the show.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11The new wave of antique collectors now, it's all about curios
0:11:11 > 0:11:12and things that are different.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15I think it's fascinating, absolutely fascinating!
0:11:15 > 0:11:17How much do you think these two sections are worth?
0:11:17 > 0:11:20It's about £30-worth of stone.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23Yeah, I think you give it a valuation of £200 to £300,
0:11:23 > 0:11:27with a reserve of £180, OK?
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- Yes, most definitely! - Wow, what a find!
0:11:35 > 0:11:37And we have found our first three objects.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40But before we put them under the hammer,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43there's something I want to point out and it's around the main tower.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45You see these gothic cluster columns?
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Well, hidden amongst the little gargoyles, there are two faces
0:11:48 > 0:11:52that are slightly out of keeping with the gothic architecture.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54One is wearing spectacles and the other is a female
0:11:54 > 0:11:58and they're just a small homage to the bespectacled site agent
0:11:58 > 0:12:01and the female architect that worked on this restoration project
0:12:01 > 0:12:03and I think that's quite clever.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Right, we're off to auction
0:12:05 > 0:12:08and here's a quick recap of what's coming with us.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11The Masonic pendant, owned by Chris's family,
0:12:11 > 0:12:12who's ready to pass them on.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Doortje and Jan's very British Snaffles print of the hunt,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19brought all the way from Holland.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24And will the buyers be lured by the amazing dinosaur footprint
0:12:24 > 0:12:26uncovered in a quarry?
0:12:28 > 0:12:30On our way to the saleroom at Wareham,
0:12:30 > 0:12:32we had to stop off and show you something
0:12:32 > 0:12:36that's always mystified the locals - the Cerne Abbas Giant.
0:12:36 > 0:12:37It might dominate the area,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40but its purpose is hidden in the mists of time.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44One theory is that it was carved out of the ground by the local priests
0:12:44 > 0:12:48to taunt one of their number who had misbehaved.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Well, there will be no misbehaving at the auction.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52We're off to Cottees,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54where our first lots are about to go under the hammer.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58John Condie is on the rostrum
0:12:58 > 0:13:02and here the commission is 20% plus VAT. It can vary,
0:13:02 > 0:13:05so be aware of that if you are selling.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Our first lot is Chris's gold pendant with Masonic symbols,
0:13:09 > 0:13:13which has been in the family for generations.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15I've got to tell you something, OK.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18I wasn't going to but I can't keep it a secret.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22The room is full of Masons. Somewhere in here there's Masons.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26I don't know who! THEY LAUGH
0:13:26 > 0:13:30But there's a few in here, so I think we're going to sell it.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33A Masonic nine-carat gold pendant.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36I'll start at £50 for that one.
0:13:37 > 0:13:405. 60. 5. 70.
0:13:40 > 0:13:425. 80.
0:13:42 > 0:13:4485 on the net.
0:13:44 > 0:13:4790. 95, two of you.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49100. 110.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51It's going up.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54120 here. 130.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56140. 140 bid.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58- It's doing well.- That's good.- Yeah.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00150 now. 150.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04Do you want to come in? 160 now, fresh bidder.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07170. 180 I've got.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10180. 190 now.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Internet bid at 190.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- It's very good, but it's a lovely thing.- It is.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19Anyone else want to come in? Your last chance, at 190 then.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21GAVEL COMES DOWN Yes, hammer's gone down at 190.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25That was unique, wasn't it, and it had the secret inside it.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29- Someone's going to enjoy it and use it.- I hope so.- That's great.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- Maybe another Mason. - Absolutely.- You never know.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35And we probably never will!
0:14:35 > 0:14:38And now it's time for the early 20th-century Snaffles print,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41brought in by a couple all the way from Holland.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Doortje and Jan, it's great to see you again
0:14:45 > 0:14:47and thank you for flying in from Holland.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- We have international jetsetters on this show!- Absolutely.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54And Snaffles is so British, you had to bring Snaffles home, didn't you?
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- That's right.- Have you bought something to replace it yet?
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- Not yet.- Not yet?- Not yet. I will be.- The day is yet young.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04Do some shopping here in the saleroom later on.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Anyway, good luck and thanks for coming over
0:15:07 > 0:15:10It's great to see you again. Fingers crossed you go home with a few bob.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13It's the Snaffles print.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Start me at £60 for this lot then.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- 60?- Come on!- Nice print at 60.
0:15:19 > 0:15:24- Yes, 60 on the net. £60 is bid. - I should hope so!
0:15:24 > 0:15:2765 now. 70. 5.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31- It's creeping up, creeping up. - 80. 5.
0:15:31 > 0:15:3485 bid. 90.
0:15:34 > 0:15:375. 95 bid.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- 100 make it?- Come on!
0:15:40 > 0:15:43£95. 95 here.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46100 now, lady in the room. 100.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49110, anyone else? You're out, on the internet.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54- £100, lady in the room, at £100. - GAVEL COMES DOWN
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Thank goodness we're sending you home with some money
0:15:56 > 0:15:58for all the effort you've made.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00And you never know, we may see you again.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- If we find something else, yeah. - I really hope so.
0:16:03 > 0:16:08How wonderful to have international "Flog It!" followers.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Our third lot is that incredible dinosaur imprint
0:16:11 > 0:16:13from the Jurassic coast.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15We are, literally, walking with dinosaurs,
0:16:15 > 0:16:18because we that iguanodon footprint, the cast,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20going under the hammer, belonging to Kenneth.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22I think every schoolboy in the county
0:16:22 > 0:16:26is going to ask their parents to buy this for them.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30Well, I was expecting some scientist to get a microscope up to it
0:16:30 > 0:16:32and see what he trod in and see if there was any insects
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- or something like that in it.- At least we rescued it from your shed,
0:16:35 > 0:16:37- that's the main thing.- That's true.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40I know the reserve's been dropped to £120. Was that your decision?
0:16:40 > 0:16:44Yeah, I just didn't care. I just want it out of the house.
0:16:44 > 0:16:45- You just want it to go.- Yeah.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Well, fingers crossed it does two to three plus a bit.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50It's going under the hammer right now.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53We've got the interesting dinosaur footprint.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55£100 for them?
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Yes, thank you very much. A strong voice.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59£100 bid. 100.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- 110.- Wow!- 120.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03130. 140.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06140 bid, on my right. 140.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08150 anywhere?
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- 150.- Come on!- 160?
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- 160 now?- Come on, let's get you £200.- 160.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17170 anyone else? I thought these might do a bit better.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22At £160...for the fossil footprints.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- I'm selling. - GAVEL COMES DOWN
0:17:25 > 0:17:27- It's gone. Are you happy? - Absolutely.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30Well, it didn't cost me nothing. It was like a day's work, really.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32- But what a find.- Yes.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34At least you had the pleasure of finding that and uncovering it
0:17:34 > 0:17:38because that was the very first time in millions of years
0:17:38 > 0:17:39that that has been revealed.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42And you can't put a price on that, can you?
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Well, there we are. Three good sales so far today
0:17:48 > 0:17:51and it's nice to escape the mayhem of the auction room.
0:17:51 > 0:17:52Now, for the best part,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55an antique expert can work out the history of an object
0:17:55 > 0:17:58by looking at makers' marks, construction methods,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00materials and styles,
0:18:00 > 0:18:03but what if an object is old, and I mean really, really old,
0:18:03 > 0:18:07and virtually nothing is known about the people who made it?
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Well, that's where archaeologists come in.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Recently, I met up with some
0:18:11 > 0:18:15to find out more about the prehistoric people of Dorset.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24The British landscape is full of the intriguing remains
0:18:24 > 0:18:29of ancient civilisations - barrows, standing stones and hill forts.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32It's hard to imagine how these prehistoric people lived,
0:18:32 > 0:18:35so how do we discover what they did and why?
0:18:38 > 0:18:41I've come to a place that is dedicated to finding out.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44This is the Ancient Technology Centre in Cranborne
0:18:44 > 0:18:47and all of these amazing structures have been built
0:18:47 > 0:18:50using traditional techniques and methods.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53I'm going to be finding out more about the work that goes on here,
0:18:53 > 0:18:55chatting to some of the experts,
0:18:55 > 0:18:59who are going to introduce me to some of our ancient ancestors.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02First up is John Gale,
0:19:02 > 0:19:04an archaeologist at Bournemouth University,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07who specialises in Bronze Age Britain,
0:19:07 > 0:19:12which lasted from around 2000 BC to 800 BC.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14So, how do we know how these people lived?
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Well, archaeology, as you probably know,
0:19:17 > 0:19:19is all about excavation and survey.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23It's the relationship of what's left, the objects,
0:19:23 > 0:19:25but also the way that the structure is built.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27This roundhouse, for example,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30was composed mainly of below-ground post holes and stake holes
0:19:30 > 0:19:33and, of course, they create a pattern on the floor, so...
0:19:33 > 0:19:35So you're looking at the footprint?
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Exactly, it's the footprint we look at and then we look at
0:19:38 > 0:19:41the features inside the house - the hearth, for example.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45That can be picked up because the burnt soil still survives.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48And then, of course, we'll record the presence of objects
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- in relation to places within the structure as well.- I see.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Brilliant, isn't it?
0:19:54 > 0:19:57All those little tiny things, those little clues you piece together.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59If you ask any archaeologist why they get into this,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03it's about reconstructing, about telling a tale, telling a story.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05We're really storytellers at heart.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07A lot of things you find are just fragments,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09but I notice you've got a complete pot there.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11- Can I have a look at it? - Yes, of course.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15- It's quite rare to find complete pots...- It is.- ..at this age.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19- This is more or less 4,000 years old.- Where did you find this?
0:20:19 > 0:20:22I was excavating a barrow site,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25only five miles away from where we're sitting at the moment.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27A barrow site meaning a long barrow?
0:20:27 > 0:20:30A barrow site meaning a cemetery, because in the Bronze Age,
0:20:30 > 0:20:32they tended to construct barrows in groups
0:20:32 > 0:20:35and they are, essentially, monuments for the ancestors.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39And this was contained in a burial pit under a barrow,
0:20:39 > 0:20:43- alongside two cremations.- Wow.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48So, archaeologists can tell us what ancient people left behind
0:20:48 > 0:20:50and work how they may have lived.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52But how do we get from these theories
0:20:52 > 0:20:55to the reality of these fantastic buildings?
0:20:55 > 0:20:58Paul Grigsby might be able to shed some light.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01He was a builder by trade but now works here,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04bringing his knowledge of construction
0:21:04 > 0:21:05to the recreation of the past.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09So how do you start by creating an ancient structure?
0:21:09 > 0:21:11It's all to do with the evidence
0:21:11 > 0:21:14and we looked at Bronze Age houses or hut circles
0:21:14 > 0:21:16and tried to recreate the building as close as we can get it
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- to the same sort of structure that would have been...- Sure.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22So you kind of copied stone from stone.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- The keystones here, you copied that to start with.- Yeah.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29You copied the size and some of these larger stones to build up on.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31Yeah, the difficulty then becomes, when you start to build a wall
0:21:31 > 0:21:33and they're estimating about a metre high
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- because of those keystones for the door...- Yeah.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39You've got to try and work out what happens to the stones above that,
0:21:39 > 0:21:43so we looked at other sites. There's about 3,000 hut circles on Dartmoor.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44We looked at lots of other sites
0:21:44 > 0:21:47and it turned out they weren't doing a traditional stone wall job on this
0:21:47 > 0:21:50by knocking the edges off and making everything fit nice and neatly.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53They were working it out like a 3-D jigsaw puzzle, essentially.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55And what covers this?
0:21:55 > 0:21:56We're going to thatch it,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59very similar to the buildings we have onsite,
0:21:59 > 0:22:01which are thatched with wheat straw.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03- And what about tools? - Tools they'd use for this...
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- Obviously, nothing's going to cut the granite.- No.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10But the hazel will be cut with either bronze or stone tools.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- Have you any examples of these tools?- Yeah, they're just here.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17- OK, so this is a stone, a flint axe. - That's the earliest?
0:22:17 > 0:22:20That's the earliest.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22We're going back how many thousands of years?
0:22:22 > 0:22:25You're looking at probably 5000 BC for this sort of axe.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27This is a reproduction, so this isn't original.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29Someone's created that.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Then we move on to this one, which is a bronze tool.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34It's starting to look more serious.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Yeah, and again, it's not sharp, though. It's not like a steel axe.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41It's not a sharp thing. You can keep them sharp. You can hone it...
0:22:41 > 0:22:43- Whereas you can't with that. - No, not so well.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46You'd have to take the edge off and start again.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50I was just thinking, you know, on some of that felled stuff there.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52- Yeah.- Can I have a go? - You can try.- Which one?
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Um...that would be a better chance. - I don't want to damage it.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57No, you won't damage that.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Let's try it on this.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05That's not bad!
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Look at that! That's brilliant!
0:23:10 > 0:23:12- Can I have a job? - Yeah, got loads to cut!
0:23:14 > 0:23:17So, experimental archaeology takes the theories
0:23:17 > 0:23:20of traditional archaeologists and tests them out,
0:23:20 > 0:23:22seeing what works and what doesn't.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28I'd love to find out more about those ancient tools,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30so it's time to meet Mark Vyvyan-Penney.
0:23:30 > 0:23:35He's a wood carver who makes bronze tools using ancient techniques.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40I can see you're using an odd pair of bellows, bringing up the fire.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42What are you about to do?
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Well, I'm using these bag bellows, which are made of leather,
0:23:45 > 0:23:49to pump air into this furnace, and in the furnace,
0:23:49 > 0:23:54there's a crucible and in that, there's some scraps of bronze.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57- What do you hope to make? - Well, there's some moulds there
0:23:57 > 0:24:00for some chisels and a little axe. It might work...
0:24:00 > 0:24:03- THEY LAUGH - ..it might not.
0:24:03 > 0:24:04Just a second.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10- Is it nearly ready? - The metal is ready.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13It's liquid, so I can now pour it into one of the moulds.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15You need some glasses though.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18- They wouldn't have had these in the Bronze Age.- No.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21But we've only got one pair of eyes.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24So, there we go. I'm going to pour it into a mould.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32That happened quite quickly. You've got no control over it.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- Well, you know that it's going to last 11 seconds.- OK.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38It's 11 seconds before it freezes. I'm quite pleased with that.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42This was the whole point of the Bronze Age.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45It was this amazing technology that they discovered
0:24:45 > 0:24:47and they went from copper, which is really soft,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- to putting tin with it, which makes it really hard.- Yeah.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Do you belong to a particular group of artisans
0:24:53 > 0:24:56that sort of wear the clothing you're wearing
0:24:56 > 0:24:59and do this kind of thing as a passion and a hobby?
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Yes, I'm in a group called the Ancient Wessex Network
0:25:02 > 0:25:05and, yes, you're right, it is a passion.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08We want to make things from the past.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10We want to make it the way they did.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Will that bronze now be cooling down in that mould?
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- Will you have to break it apart? - Yes.- OK, brilliant.
0:25:15 > 0:25:20- The moment of truth.- The moment of truth, yeah. So, here's some water.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25And if I bring that mould over...over there.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28OK.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31There we go. That's still quite hot. So...
0:25:42 > 0:25:44- So...- Wow.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46So, we've got there...
0:25:46 > 0:25:48It's a bit bent but I can knock that back into shape,
0:25:48 > 0:25:50and there's a chisel.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55That's quite incredible, isn't it? That's brilliant.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Will you be able to use that on some of your carvings?
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Yes, it would be very authentic then, wouldn't it?
0:26:03 > 0:26:06What a great way to explore the past,
0:26:06 > 0:26:08hands-on, testing things out
0:26:08 > 0:26:11and becoming immersed in the lives of ancient Britons.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16A place like this really does show us
0:26:16 > 0:26:19how the expertise of people from diverse backgrounds
0:26:19 > 0:26:24can come together to help us advance our knowledge of the past.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26It really is quite incredible.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29So, the next time you go for a walk in the countryside
0:26:29 > 0:26:33and you come across a stone circle or a hill fort, stop for a moment,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36have a good look and think about the people who created them
0:26:36 > 0:26:39and how amazing it is that the remains of those sites
0:26:39 > 0:26:43are still with us today, playing a prominent part of our lives,
0:26:43 > 0:26:46all of these thousands of years later.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Welcome back to our valuation day venue, Highcliffe Castle,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02where down below, our valuations continue.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04Our experts are hard at work,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07hopefully unearthing some more treasures to take off to auction.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11But I doubt if anything will date as far back as the Bronze Age.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Let's catch up with the team.
0:27:15 > 0:27:20And Christina is definitely looking to the 1960s for her next object.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24- Sue, I love this Biba coat.- Thank you!- I REALLY love this Biba coat.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28- It is so fab! Where did you get it from?- Well, I'm not sure.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32I know Biba had catalogues out and I know they had a shop in Kensington.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35- Did you ever go into the shop?- Yes, I did.- Did you? What was it like?
0:27:35 > 0:27:40- Black!- Oh, was it?- Black and gold, with very loud music.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44And mirrors everywhere. But you couldn't see the clothes.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46- It was just awesome. - I've heard that.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49Somebody said that they had to take the clothes to the window.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52- They saw something in the dark... Do you remember this?- ALL:- Yes.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Oh, ladies! We've got a fashionista pack behind us.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Did you have to take the clothes to the window in order to see them?
0:27:58 > 0:28:01- That's right, yes. - Oh, my goodness, that's wonderful!
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Let's start at the very beginning.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07Barbara Hulanicki started the Biba brand in the mid-1960s
0:28:07 > 0:28:10and it started out as a brand that wanted to bring
0:28:10 > 0:28:14cheap and affordable clothing to the masses in the 1960s.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16And that it did, and it was incredibly successful.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19- Started out as a mail order catalogue.- Yes.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23And then they very quickly built up a fantastic client base
0:28:23 > 0:28:28because it was cheap and affordable but it was stylish, so stylish.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31- They opened a shop in Kensington. Is that the one you went to?- Yes.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34Oh, fantastic. Then they went on and on
0:28:34 > 0:28:36and they continued with the mail order as well,
0:28:36 > 0:28:39- which is really important to the history of Biba.- Yes.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42- Cos you didn't have to go to London to own a Biba piece.- No.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44You could get it through the post, effectively.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48If we look at this piece, yes, it's an incredibly stylish piece.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52If we start with the material, it is quite itchy. Was it nice to wear?
0:28:52 > 0:28:57- Not particularly.- Oh, really?- I do remember it being itchy, yes, I do.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00- When you wore it, were you fidgeting all day?- Yes.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03Did you have Saint Vitus's dance or something?
0:29:03 > 0:29:06- I had to wear it because you just felt so good.- I bet!
0:29:06 > 0:29:07So, a little bit itchy,
0:29:07 > 0:29:12which kind of goes along with that cheap, affordable clothing aspect,
0:29:12 > 0:29:14but just look at it! It's just gorgeous.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17Double-breasted. If we spin her...
0:29:17 > 0:29:20This might be a male model, but we'll spin him/ her round
0:29:20 > 0:29:23and we've got, look, acres of material here.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25It is just beautiful, isn't it?
0:29:25 > 0:29:28I bet you swished around London in this, didn't you?
0:29:28 > 0:29:32- Oh, no, on the Isle of Wight.- You swished around the Isle of Wight.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34So I felt very, very fashionable.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36And were you the envy of all your friends?
0:29:36 > 0:29:40- Well, yes, because no-one else had one.- I bet. My goodness!
0:29:40 > 0:29:45It's 1960s, but it has got that sort of Edwardiana appeal, look,
0:29:45 > 0:29:48about it that was very much a Biba style.
0:29:48 > 0:29:49I'm wiffling on about Biba,
0:29:49 > 0:29:52but we'd better just make sure that it IS Biba, hadn't we?
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Let's look at the label. Oh, yeah, perfect.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57So, was that very much the style of the shop as well,
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- this wonderful black and gold? - Yes, it was.
0:30:00 > 0:30:01Oh, what to put on it?
0:30:01 > 0:30:05I mean, it doesn't fetch as much as I would hope it to fetch at auction.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08Having that name in it, obviously, is imperative,
0:30:08 > 0:30:11otherwise it would be a nice tweed coat.
0:30:11 > 0:30:12I'm going to be modest,
0:30:12 > 0:30:15but I would hope that it would fetch in the region of £50 to £70.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17- That's fine.- A reserve of maybe £50,
0:30:17 > 0:30:19with some discretion, should we need it.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21Hopefully, with some internet interest
0:30:21 > 0:30:24and some fashionistas, which I think we've got here...
0:30:24 > 0:30:25- Yes.- ..it might go up.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29That coat really captures an era.
0:30:29 > 0:30:34The 1960s swept aside old ideas about fashion for the elite.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38Designers like Mary Quant and Ossie Clark exploded onto the scene,
0:30:38 > 0:30:40making clothes for young people,
0:30:40 > 0:30:43who had the highest income since the Second World War.
0:30:43 > 0:30:47They wanted a modern look that suited their freer lifestyle
0:30:47 > 0:30:48and their taste in music.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52And for the first time, they had a place specially designed for them,
0:30:52 > 0:30:55the high street boutiques, filled with the new modern look -
0:30:55 > 0:31:00colourful clothes in unusual fabrics and the maxiskirt.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05Christina's certainly hooked on the Biba maxicoat
0:31:05 > 0:31:07and we hope our buyers will be too.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12And as I join the crowds, I've come across something
0:31:12 > 0:31:16by a pop group who were the epitome of 1960s cool.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Lynne, what have you got in there? What's in your bag?
0:31:19 > 0:31:24- A Rolling Stones autograph.- Ooh! Hey, who likes the Rolling Stones?
0:31:24 > 0:31:27- ALL:- Yes.- I love the Rolling Stones!
0:31:27 > 0:31:29Oh, it's a signed...
0:31:29 > 0:31:32Oh, look at that. It's a boarding card. Where's that from?
0:31:32 > 0:31:34Hurn Airport, as it was then, in the early '60s.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37- That's Bournemouth Airport. - It's now Bournemouth Airport.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39They flew into Bournemouth Airport?
0:31:39 > 0:31:41- Yes, and my parents got the autograph.- Did they?
0:31:41 > 0:31:43- At risk of death! - LAUGHTER
0:31:43 > 0:31:47Look, there's Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman...
0:31:47 > 0:31:48Brian Jones...
0:31:50 > 0:31:52..and Charlie Watts.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56- Wow. And you've looked after that ever since.- Yes.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58Were you a big Stones fan?
0:31:58 > 0:32:00Yes, I saw them at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03Yes, cos they grew up in Richmond, didn't they?
0:32:03 > 0:32:05- Yes, they were pretty disgusting then.- Oh!
0:32:05 > 0:32:07They didn't have baths very often.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10THEY LAUGH
0:32:10 > 0:32:12- They didn't have much money then, did they?- No, they didn't.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15That's brilliant. If you put that into any auction
0:32:15 > 0:32:20anywhere in the country, £600 to £800, no problem, OK.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23- And it should do the top end. - Thank you very much.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Not for sale today, but it's wonderful
0:32:26 > 0:32:29when you bring in unusual objects for us to look at.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Now, what would Philip have been doing in the 1960s
0:32:31 > 0:32:34and what's he got at his table?
0:32:34 > 0:32:37So, you brought along this early 20th-century ping pong bat,
0:32:37 > 0:32:40- is that right?- That's right. - What's your name?- I'm Jane.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43- Are you from round here, Jane? - I'm local to Highcliffe.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45And you know exactly what this is, don't you?
0:32:45 > 0:32:47I do know it's a Mouseman piece but...
0:32:47 > 0:32:49And we know it's a Mouseman, because we've got a mouse here.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53- I did think a Mouseman paddle but... - Cheeseboard.- Yes.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56The chap who made this was a man called Robert Thompson,
0:32:56 > 0:32:57who came from Kilburn in Yorkshire.
0:32:57 > 0:33:02He was born in the late 1870s and died in the 1950s.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06This is his signature. Everybody knows this is Mouseman.
0:33:06 > 0:33:07Do you know how it came about?
0:33:07 > 0:33:10I think it was something to do with the pews in a church
0:33:10 > 0:33:12- and he used to... - You're getting good, aren't you?
0:33:12 > 0:33:15- How do you know all this? - I'm interested in antiques,
0:33:15 > 0:33:17particularly Mouseman.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19I've heard a little bit about his work,
0:33:19 > 0:33:22so I know he used to put the mouse into the pews.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25- Why did he do that then? - Ah, that I don't know.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Yes! No, let me tell you.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31- His first job was the interior of a church...- Ah, right.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34..and he and his workmen were talking
0:33:34 > 0:33:38- and they claimed to be as poor as church mice.- Ah...
0:33:38 > 0:33:40- It makes sense now. - And Mouseman was born.
0:33:40 > 0:33:45We talked about patina and that's got patina by the bucketful.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49And all that patina is is the grease and grime
0:33:49 > 0:33:54off your hand that's just polished that, as time's gone by,
0:33:54 > 0:33:57and it just gives it that lovely colour.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59I would think this is probably 1930s.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02Early Mouseman wares have this lovely dark colour.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06- The slightly later wares have a lighter colour.- Right.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10And it's hugely collectible. Have you had this a long time?
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Well, it came to me through a donation to our shop.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16- Oh, so you're fundraising. - We're fundraising yes.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18- This was given to you.- This was given to us by one of our donors.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20Do you know what?
0:34:20 > 0:34:23I think this is going to make you probably over £100.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26- That's good.- Is that good? - That's good, yes!
0:34:26 > 0:34:29I think we should put £100 to £150 on it as an estimate.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32- We'll fix reserve it at £80. - Fantastic.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35- That gives the auctioneer a bit of leeway.- Yes.- Just look at that.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37- Look at that little mouse. - He's lovely.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39I think that Robert Mouseman has made
0:34:39 > 0:34:44- a whole generation of people become unfrightened of mice.- True!
0:34:46 > 0:34:51Christina's definitely not concerned about her next object. Far from it!
0:34:51 > 0:34:53Oh, Barbara!
0:34:54 > 0:34:56You know how to excite a girl. My goodness!
0:34:56 > 0:34:58They say diamonds are a girl's best friend
0:34:58 > 0:35:02and oh, my God, these are gorgeous! Why aren't you wearing them?
0:35:02 > 0:35:06- Well, they're not my style, are they?- Are they not? No?- No.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09- So, in this instance, they're NOT a girl's best friend.- No.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13What we've got is a beautiful pair of diamond drop earrings
0:35:13 > 0:35:16and we've got a rather lovely lady here who...
0:35:16 > 0:35:19- Well, it looks like she's modelling them for us.- She is.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21So, where have they come from? Who is this lady?
0:35:21 > 0:35:25- She is my grandma but she died in 1950.- Right.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29- But she was 75 when she died. - Right, OK.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32So, I don't know how old she is in that photograph
0:35:32 > 0:35:35but she was married three times.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38- They might have been a present from a husband.- Was it third time lucky?
0:35:38 > 0:35:41- Yes, could have been, yes.- Oh, good.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44- Yes.- Even just looking at the box that they're within,
0:35:44 > 0:35:47they really are very beautiful
0:35:47 > 0:35:50- and very beautiful quality, exquisite quality.- Really?
0:35:50 > 0:35:53- Was she an affluent lady? - She loved her jewellery.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56I don't know a lot about her. She lived in London.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59So she was in possibly quite a high society set.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01- She could have been, yes.- OK.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04They are within this box which says, at the top...
0:36:09 > 0:36:11One of the best addresses in London.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14You've got a Bond Street jeweller here, Hunt & Roskell.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18They designed and retailed exquisite pieces, expensive pieces.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20There was nothing about the, sort of,
0:36:20 > 0:36:22standard run-of-the-mill jewellery about them.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24They only did the very best,
0:36:24 > 0:36:28and absolutely typified by this beautiful pair of drop earrings.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30Each one a four-diamond drop,
0:36:30 > 0:36:33each one with a brilliant cut diamond,
0:36:33 > 0:36:35so we know that they are 20th century,
0:36:35 > 0:36:37rather than Victorian or earlier,
0:36:37 > 0:36:40because they wouldn't have had the brilliant cut at that point.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42That was only developed in the 20th century.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45They are set in platinum, probably with an 18-carat gold back,
0:36:45 > 0:36:48- although they're not marked, which is quite frustrating.- Oh.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51But they're a good colour, they're a good clarity,
0:36:51 > 0:36:55and all of that is important because it all makes a value for us, OK.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58At auction, I wouldn't hesitate to put an estimate
0:36:58 > 0:37:01of between £800 to £1,200 on them
0:37:01 > 0:37:04and I think a firm reserve at £800.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07- How would you feel about that, Barb? - That sounds wonderful.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16Well, you've just seen our experts pick out
0:37:16 > 0:37:20their final three items of the day, so now, we have to say goodbye
0:37:20 > 0:37:23to our host location, Highcliffe Castle.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25We've had a wonderful time here
0:37:25 > 0:37:28and I'm sure everybody who's turned up has thoroughly enjoyed it.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30And the weather has just been perfect!
0:37:30 > 0:37:32But right now, we've got to change the tempo.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35We've got some unfinished business to do in the saleroom.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37And here's a quick recap of all the items
0:37:37 > 0:37:39that are going under the hammer.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42The designer Biba coat
0:37:42 > 0:37:45that Sue swished around in during the swinging '60s.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50We've got the classic Mouseman cheeseboard,
0:37:50 > 0:37:52which can't go wrong at auction.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55And a pair of diamond earrings.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57They're not to owner Barbara's taste
0:37:57 > 0:38:00but are they set to adorn someone else's ears?
0:38:01 > 0:38:04We're about to find out, as we head back to the saleroom,
0:38:04 > 0:38:09where John Condie has our next lot, the Biba coat that charmed Cristina.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12What a coat! Biba and this is fantastic.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14- Why don't you want to keep it? - It doesn't fit.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16It's been in the loft for 43 years.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19- Why hang on to it in a box, wrapped up?- No.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22That label, that Biba label, people will pick up on it online.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25There are plenty of collectors of vintage clothing,
0:38:25 > 0:38:27especially women's clothing, and they sell well.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30- And it's so wearable, it's so wearable!- It is.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33- I don't think I'm going to cope with this.- You've got to be tough, OK?
0:38:33 > 0:38:36You've got to be strong. It's going under the hammer right now
0:38:36 > 0:38:38and, hopefully, it'll find a new home,
0:38:38 > 0:38:40- This is it. Good luck, Sue. - Thank you.
0:38:40 > 0:38:47Original woollen coat, with the Biba label to the collar, of course.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49I remember shopping there myself.
0:38:49 > 0:38:50CROWD TITTERS
0:38:50 > 0:38:53- So trendy! - LAUGHTER
0:38:53 > 0:38:55I was there, I was there!
0:38:55 > 0:38:59Right, I've got interest and I'm bid £50 straight in.
0:38:59 > 0:39:0250. £50. 55.
0:39:02 > 0:39:0560. 5. 70.
0:39:05 > 0:39:075. 80.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10- 5. 90.- Wow.- Oh, it's gone.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12- No!- It's gone well.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15100. 110. 110, I've got.
0:39:15 > 0:39:20110. 110. 120 now?
0:39:20 > 0:39:23120 bid. 120.
0:39:23 > 0:39:24130, anybody else?
0:39:24 > 0:39:28At 120, in the room. You're all out on the net.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30It's selling in the room.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32GAVEL COMES DOWN
0:39:32 > 0:39:35- That hammer's gone down.- I don't know what to say because I'm gutted!
0:39:35 > 0:39:37THEY LAUGH
0:39:37 > 0:39:39- Well done. - I'm really pleased for you.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43- Yeah, no way did I expect that! - Good.- It is fantastic for me.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46- It's brilliant.- Thank you so much.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49We are delighted, really, Christina.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52Double the estimate for the ultimate in '60s style.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Our next lot is from a craftsman
0:39:54 > 0:39:58whose work has also stood the test of time.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Jane, it's great to see you.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03We're talking about Robert Thompson, Mr Mouseman.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06- And we have a cheeseboard. - I thought it was a table tennis bat.
0:40:06 > 0:40:11It could be. It has a duality to it, yes, yes. He's cheeky, isn't he?
0:40:11 > 0:40:15- He is.- So, this was a charity shop find, I gather.- It is.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18So, fingers crossed, we should get £100 plus for this.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21I'll be really disappointed if it didn't make three figures.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24- Well, everything counts to our charity, so...- It does, doesn't it?
0:40:24 > 0:40:26- Whatever we can make.- Every penny.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29OK, good luck, both of you. It's going under the hammer right now.
0:40:29 > 0:40:34Mouseman cheeseboard. Got the typical mouse to the handle there.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37I've got a bit of interest on the book for you.
0:40:37 > 0:40:3950. 5.
0:40:39 > 0:40:4160. 5.
0:40:41 > 0:40:4270.
0:40:42 > 0:40:4475.
0:40:44 > 0:40:4680, I've got to go.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50£80. I've got a gentleman there at 80. £80.
0:40:50 > 0:40:5385, anyone else want to take it on?
0:40:53 > 0:40:56The gentleman there at 80. 85 on the internet.
0:40:56 > 0:40:5890 now. 90.
0:40:58 > 0:41:0295, make it. We're out on the internet. It's 90.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Anyone else? I'm closing it.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08- At £90 then. - GAVEL COMES DOWN
0:41:08 > 0:41:10- Well done. - Fantastic, thank you very much.
0:41:10 > 0:41:11- Every penny helps for that charity. - Yeah.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14- Keep up the good work, won't you?- I will do.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16Time for our final lot of the day,
0:41:16 > 0:41:20the drop-dead gorgeous diamond drop earrings, set in platinum.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25- Barbara, your earrings - well, your gran's earrings.- Yes.
0:41:25 > 0:41:26It's time to say goodbye.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29- These are definitely going to sell. - They are.- They're so beautiful.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32- Did you know they were quite valuable?- I did.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35That's why I didn't like them left in the house when I went out.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39- Oh, really?- I sincerely hope you get lots of interest for them.
0:41:39 > 0:41:40They're still so wearable today,
0:41:40 > 0:41:43especially in that white gold or platinum.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- They're very stylish, aren't they? - Very stylish. Best of luck.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48Here we go, this is it.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52Lot 312, the lovely pair of diamond drop earrings,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54set with four lovely graduated diamonds there.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57- I have got interest presale. - Oh, good!
0:41:57 > 0:42:00And I'm starting at 700.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03- Oh.- 750.- Come on.- 800.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06850. 900 on the internet.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09950 in the room, lady's bid.
0:42:09 > 0:42:111,000. 1,100.
0:42:11 > 0:42:131,100, I've got.
0:42:13 > 0:42:151,200, lady's bid.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19- 1,200 there.- Yes. - 1,300 on the internet.
0:42:19 > 0:42:211,300, internet bid.
0:42:21 > 0:42:231,400 on the telephone.
0:42:23 > 0:42:251,400 on the telephone.
0:42:25 > 0:42:281,500 close to me.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30At 1,500.
0:42:31 > 0:42:331,550 comes in over here.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36Ooh, there's a bidder in the room at 1,550.
0:42:36 > 0:42:381,600 here.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40And 50 now.
0:42:40 > 0:42:421,650, it's close.
0:42:42 > 0:42:44- 1,700 do you want to go? - Are you all right?
0:42:46 > 0:42:481,700 here, next to me.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51Anyone else coming in? I'm going to sell.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54You're all out elsewhere. At 1,700 they go.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56GAVEL COMES DOWN
0:42:56 > 0:42:59- Barbara, that's fantastic news! - It is.- £1,700.- Fantastic.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01Well over the top end. Brilliant.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04- Brilliant.- Lovely. - You had faith in those, didn't you?
0:43:04 > 0:43:05Oh, they sold themselves.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07They were just stunning, they really were.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10- So, congratulations, that's great. - Well done, you.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12- You're a bit speechless. - I am lost for words.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14- You don't know what to say, do you?- No.
0:43:14 > 0:43:16How about, "What a way to end today's show"?
0:43:16 > 0:43:17I hope you've enjoyed it.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20We promised you a surprise and we delivered.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22Join us again soon for many more.