0:00:03 > 0:00:09Being on the south coast an hour from the capital, no wonder this place is a day-tripper's paradise.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13Welcome to Flog It from London-by-the-Sea - sunny Brighton!
0:00:46 > 0:00:53Brighton has been a fashionable destination since the Prince Regent brought his mistress here in 1783
0:00:53 > 0:00:56for maybe the first dirty weekend
0:00:56 > 0:01:03and the exotic Royal Pavilion which he built was certainly the place to be seen in.
0:01:03 > 0:01:09But the most fashionable place to be seen today is outside the Regency Corn Exchange
0:01:09 > 0:01:13where looking through the bags and boxes for something in vogue
0:01:13 > 0:01:17to take to the saleroom are Catherine Southon and Mark Stacey.
0:01:30 > 0:01:35- Hello, Ed.- Hi, Mark.- I always like seeing boxes like this
0:01:35 > 0:01:38because you never know what's gonna be inside.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43And even more interesting, lots of inscriptions. Tell me what you know.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47It was offered to me at a reasonable price of £20.
0:01:47 > 0:01:53- Good Lord!- I spoke to the lady about it. They were going across to France to live.
0:01:53 > 0:02:00I obligingly bought it, opened it up and it appeared to have never been used or seen the light of day.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03We'll come on to that in a second.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06We have this nice inscription,
0:02:06 > 0:02:11which is, "First prize presented by Baron Profumo."
0:02:11 > 0:02:18I don't think he would have given it as a personal gift. He was probably the grandee at the event.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22It was presented as a prize for something.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24It's a very interesting case.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28When we open it up, we see exactly what we've got inside -
0:02:28 > 0:02:32this very nice little Art Nouveau morning set.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35I think these are grapefruit spoons.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39We've got a butter knife, sugar tongs
0:02:39 > 0:02:43and then preserve spoons for your marmalade and jams.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47And a little cruet set which I am gonna take out for one moment
0:02:47 > 0:02:52because I don't think this was originally part of this set.
0:02:52 > 0:02:58Stylistically, it's completely different. We've got a more angular shape with the stepped section.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03On the top I would have expected a similar Art Nouveau motif.
0:03:03 > 0:03:10When you look at all those pieces, they are very, very typical of that sort of 1890 to 1905 period.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15Very high Art Nouveau. They are silver plate, rather than silver.
0:03:15 > 0:03:21But it's obviously lived in there because it fits very snugly in there to protect it.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26We also have this little cut-out of three gentlemen in uniform.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31- They look like musicians from a regiment.- They certainly do.
0:03:31 > 0:03:38And unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to ask the previous owners what the connection was
0:03:38 > 0:03:42because it was laying in the bottom underneath this cruet set.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46Well, it's got a date on there, "May 24th, 1900."
0:03:46 > 0:03:50So it does tie in a bit with 1906.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55I thought he may have been the sportsman who this was presented to.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00This is the mystery and what makes antiques so interesting.
0:04:00 > 0:04:06You find these clues and if you've got an investigative mind, you see if you can develop it any more.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11- Looking at value, you didn't pay very much for it.- That's right.
0:04:11 > 0:04:18If we were putting it in for auction, I would suggest maybe 100 to 150 with a 100 reserve.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23If two people like it, it could go a bit above that.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27But with a 100 reserve, we're not giving it away.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31- How do you feel about that? - I feel very happy at a 100 reserve.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36- At the auction let's hope it makes a lot of money for you.- I hope so too.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- Thank you.- Thank you for your time.
0:04:46 > 0:04:51Stella, welcome to Flog It. Thank you for coming along.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55You've brought along some rather nice little pieces here.
0:04:55 > 0:05:01- Where did you get them from?- They've come down through the family.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05They've been there ever since I can remember.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10Although they look like Meissen, I don't think they are. I'm not sure.
0:05:10 > 0:05:16If you turn these over, we can see that it's got the mark of "AR".
0:05:16 > 0:05:20Do you know "AR"? Do you know what that stands for?
0:05:20 > 0:05:24I think it stands for "Augustus Rex", but I don't know much else.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28Augustus Rex was involved with the Meissen factory.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33These aren't actually Meissen. They are a later reproduction.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38They would be early 20th century, up to 1920s.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41But obviously of that Meissen style.
0:05:41 > 0:05:47They would be by another Dresden factory, so still German, but very late.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50This piece really caught my eye,
0:05:50 > 0:05:54this lovely little chamber stick here.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58You put your finger through the hole and your thumb rests on the top
0:05:58 > 0:06:03and you would've carried this as you go up to bed, the candle in here.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- This piece looks much finer.- Yes.
0:06:06 > 0:06:14Flowers you can see. Much more intricate. The colour is a lot finer than on these flowers here.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19- If you turn it over, it has got the crossed swords.- Meissen mark?- Yes.
0:06:19 > 0:06:27A lot of people have copied this, but I think, I would put money on it, that this is actually Meissen.
0:06:27 > 0:06:34- Good.- Unfortunately, I think it is a late piece and these are all of the same sort of period.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37So again, early 20th century,
0:06:37 > 0:06:41but I think that, unlike these pieces, is actually Meissen.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46Yes, when you see them together, it's so much finer.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51These aren't so nicely painted, not such good quality.
0:06:51 > 0:06:57So taking that into account, I would like to put on the whole lot probably £100 to £150.
0:06:57 > 0:07:03- OK.- With an £80 reserve.- That sounds fine.- Does that sound OK?- Yes.
0:07:03 > 0:07:09- These have been in your family a long time. Why are you selling them?- They're very delicate.
0:07:09 > 0:07:15You couldn't use them and I don't want them any more, although they're pretty.
0:07:15 > 0:07:22- I've got too many other things to show and I don't want to show those. - The time has come.- Yes.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33- Good morning, Peter.- Good morning. - This is a charming watercolour.
0:07:33 > 0:07:40- What happened here?- After surviving on Granny's wall for decades, it took a tumble in the back of my car.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44I suspect somebody would want to reframe it anyway
0:07:44 > 0:07:47- and put a new backing on it.- Yeah.
0:07:47 > 0:07:54- You inherited the picture?- Yes, it was one of two or three paintings hanging up in my grandmother's house.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58That was the one I always liked, so she gave it to me.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03- How long have you had it? - I think probably about 25 years.
0:08:03 > 0:08:10- Why have you decided to sell it now? - It's been in the attic for so long and it's not my style of painting.
0:08:10 > 0:08:16- I've seen something I'd rather buy. - Something more contemporary?- Yes.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20You've kind of hit the nail on the head in some ways.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24This type of painting is a little bit out of fashion.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28It's dated 1871 by Collier who isn't that well-known.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31But it's a rather charming subject.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36We've got this nice robin's nest on your side with the eggs inside
0:08:36 > 0:08:42and these rather nice wild flowers cut in that very framed setting as a watercolour.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47You wouldn't find that in real life. Have you thought of the value?
0:08:47 > 0:08:54No, not at all. I just thought I ought to bring it along and investigate further really.
0:08:54 > 0:09:01It is slightly out of vogue at the moment and it does need a little bit of cleaning and remounting.
0:09:01 > 0:09:07Even if the glass hadn't been broken, I think some people would want to reframe it.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11At auction, we'd be looking at around £200 to £300.
0:09:11 > 0:09:16- How does that grab you?- That sounds great.- Is that OK?- Yeah.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21- Would you want to put a reserve on it?- Yeah, I think probably 175.
0:09:21 > 0:09:27- I think that sounds sensible. We'll put a fixed reserve of 175.- Right.
0:09:27 > 0:09:34- If we can't get that for it, put it back in the loft and see what happens in a few years.- Good idea.
0:09:40 > 0:09:45Ann, thank you for coming along. This jumped out at me in the queue.
0:09:45 > 0:09:51- Tell me where you got it from. - It belongs to my mother.
0:09:51 > 0:09:57She gave it to me a few weeks ago to have valued and I hadn't done anything about it.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02I saw an advertisement in the paper that Flog It was coming here.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06I thought, "Let's go along and see what happens."
0:10:06 > 0:10:10It belongs to your mother, but where did she get it from?
0:10:10 > 0:10:17It's been in the family for three generations, but we think it came from an antiques shop.
0:10:17 > 0:10:24One of our ancestors had an antiques shop in Cheltenham. We used to try and blow it as a horn.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29- We now know it's a powder horn. - It's a scrimshaw powder horn.
0:10:29 > 0:10:36These things were done by sailors on either whale's teeth or indeed on this wonderful horn
0:10:36 > 0:10:40for their sweethearts and loved ones back home.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44This has got wonderful sunshine on the back.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48It's very naively done, but that's its charm.
0:10:48 > 0:10:55On the front of this, this man has engraved "Lucy" and perhaps this is Lucy underneath, the sweetheart.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59What's rather nice about it is it's got colour
0:10:59 > 0:11:03which is something you don't always find on scrimshaw.
0:11:03 > 0:11:09This has got red across the belt and also around the arm of Lucy.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14These things are very brittle, so they do damage quite easily.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19I often see ones with cracks down them or little parts broken.
0:11:19 > 0:11:25We can see that there is a little bit that's been broken off this sort of scalloped edge,
0:11:25 > 0:11:27but that's not a major problem.
0:11:27 > 0:11:35- Is it something you're interested in?- No, I'm not interested in it. It's just the tale that it tells.
0:11:35 > 0:11:42- Lucy's got a spade and there's a graveyard.- You turn it over and there are some graves.- There's a fort.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47- There's the old Union Jack.- That's also coloured in with this red wax.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52- Does your mum not like it? - It's in a cupboard.
0:11:52 > 0:11:58It's in a polythene bag in the cupboard, she moves it around and it gets damaged.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03- Yes.- And she just thinks it ought to go.- It's time to go.- Time to go.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08What would you think it is worth? What would you like it to be worth?
0:12:08 > 0:12:11I'd like it to be worth over £200.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- How does £800 sound?- My word!
0:12:14 > 0:12:19- No!- That's what I would like it to fetch at auction.- Wow!
0:12:19 > 0:12:26- These things are very sought after. - My goodness me!- It is in lovely condition.- I can't believe it.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30It's 1830s, 1840s and it should be worth about £800.
0:12:30 > 0:12:37- My word! How exciting! - Let's put it in the auction at around £800 to £1,000.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42Let's put a reserve on of 650 and let's not let it go for any less.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45It's a great piece. You've made my day.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48- You've made my day too!- Thank you.
0:12:50 > 0:12:58I'm hoping we're going to be making everybody's day at the auction, so let's see what we're taking with us.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02The Art Nouveau morning set should be a winner
0:13:02 > 0:13:04as Ed only paid £20 for it.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Of Stella's china, only the chamber stick was Meissen,
0:13:08 > 0:13:12but its quality should light up the saleroom.
0:13:12 > 0:13:18Peter's granny's watercolour definitely needs reframing now.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22It's charming and it should attract interest.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26The scrimshaw powder horn was such an exciting find.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30I'm certainly feeling very bullish about this one.
0:13:33 > 0:13:40Now it's time to put our experts' valuations to the test. Everything is about to go under the hammer.
0:13:40 > 0:13:46Today's sale comes from the Worthing Auction Galleries and Scarborough Fine Arts.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51I hope this lot will be bidding on all our items.
0:13:51 > 0:13:58Today's auctioneer is Nick Hall. I want to find out what he thinks of the piece of scrimshaw.
0:13:59 > 0:14:04- I think this is absolutely stunning. - Yeah, I agree.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06One of the best pieces of scrimshaw.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11It's been in Ann's family for three generations. It's proper folk art.
0:14:11 > 0:14:16Catherine Southon, our expert, has put £800 to £1,000 on this.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20You would expect it to make that and more.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24Folk art is so popular at the minute. Good, early folk art.
0:14:24 > 0:14:29It's so hard to find genuine, quirky pieces. This fits the bill.
0:14:29 > 0:14:35We've got the named lady we assume it was made for. It's cow horn, not marine bone.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- It would add value if it was marine bone.- Yes.
0:14:38 > 0:14:43It's more tactile to touch cow horn rather than whale bone.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48- It's softer and lighter.- There's a little bit of damage around one rim.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52But I've got high hopes. Sometimes these things just fly away.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56And rightly so. They're wonderful and rare things.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00If it made 2,000, 3,000, no-one would be surprised.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- Where will you find another? - On a one-horned cow!
0:15:07 > 0:15:15Let's hope the bidders are all in the room. Before we find out, here comes the boxed morning set.
0:15:15 > 0:15:22We'll turn 20 quid hopefully into £150 if we get the top end of Mark's estimate on Ed's morning set.
0:15:22 > 0:15:28I'll put a little pressure on you here. £100, £150 - will we get that top end?
0:15:28 > 0:15:33- I don't know. You always want the top end.- Yes.- It is nice quality.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38- I love that sinuous Art Nouveau design.- That's your thing.- It is.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43- You've got keen eyes to spot this for only £20.- Absolutely, yes.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- Seven months ago? - Seven months ago, I bought that.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51People going out the country offered it to me and I snipped it up.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55- Knowing you were gonna flog it. - Yeah.- It's not your thing.
0:15:55 > 0:16:02Certainly not, no, but it's welcome to anyone who is a collector of Art Nouveau.
0:16:02 > 0:16:08We've got a change of auctioneer. It's Andrew Scarborough giving us some hammer action.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- Good luck, Ed.- Thank you, Paul.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15The Art Nouveau plated, cased breakfast set.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19Lovely quality. Shall we start it at 80?
0:16:19 > 0:16:2160 then?
0:16:21 > 0:16:2450 it is to start. 55.
0:16:24 > 0:16:2660. 5. 70.
0:16:26 > 0:16:295. 80. 5.
0:16:29 > 0:16:3290 standing in the middle. 5. 100.
0:16:32 > 0:16:37Right in the middle at 100. Are we all done at 100 then...?
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- We did it, £100. It was touch and go.- What a result!
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- We turned £20 into 100.- Not bad.
0:16:51 > 0:16:57Next under the hammer, two cups and saucers and a chamber stick belonging to Stella
0:16:57 > 0:17:00valued by Catherine at £100 to £150.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04- Let's find out what this lot think, Stella.- Yes.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08- Why are you flogging these? - They're just going to get broken.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13- I've got eight grandchildren, so it's a bit vulnerable.- Time to move them.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18I think it is. We should get that top end, shouldn't we?
0:17:18 > 0:17:23I would hope so. There's quite a few people here today. It's very pretty.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28Yes. I think that's gonna get them away. We'll find out now.
0:17:28 > 0:17:33Some nice Meissen porcelain, floral chamber stick. Start me at 100?
0:17:33 > 0:17:39- £100? 40 I'll take. It's a low start. - That is low.- It's an "in" though.
0:17:39 > 0:17:4150. 5. 60. 5.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45- 70. 80.- We've sold.- 90?
0:17:45 > 0:17:4980 it is in the front row. 90 behind you. 100 in front.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51110. 120.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56120 in the front row. 120 I'm bid on this lot. Are you all sure?
0:17:56 > 0:17:59At 120 I'm selling...
0:18:00 > 0:18:05- Fantastic.- £120. Great result. Well done.- I'm pleased about that.
0:18:05 > 0:18:11- What are you gonna put the money towards?- I'll take my family out for a slap-up meal.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22Something for you art lovers - real quality and immense detail.
0:18:22 > 0:18:29It's a Victorian watercolour that belongs to Peter and not for much longer, valued at £200 to £300.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33It really is there, isn't it? I saw this in the queue.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38- It had glass on it.- Bits.- It was cracked on the way in.- It was, yeah.
0:18:38 > 0:18:44We've had to take the glass out in the auction room for health and safety reasons.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48The auctioneer thinks it might sit at the lower end.
0:18:48 > 0:18:53He's probably right, which is why we put a fixed reserve of 175.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57It should be worth a lot more. It is nice quality.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02But unfortunately, this sort of Victorian genre is out of vogue.
0:19:02 > 0:19:08Keep hold of it for another five years, it's back in fashion and worth £400 to £500.
0:19:08 > 0:19:15Or you can do what Peter's doing and sell something that isn't being enjoyed and buy something that is.
0:19:15 > 0:19:21- You're after a new modern artist? - Yeah, there's an artist in Eastbourne that I like.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- To invest in?- Yes, and just because I enjoy the work.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29Good luck. It's going under the hammer right now.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32The still life by Collier.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37The nest with the eggs and flowers. Pretty little picture.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Shall we say 100 for it?
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Thank you, 100. 110.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45120. 130. 140.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48150. 160.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- 170. 180.- We've done it. - We've done it.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54190. 200.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- Oh.- On my left at 2...
0:19:56 > 0:19:59210.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03At 210 at the back. 220. 230...
0:20:03 > 0:20:08- Keep going, keep going. - 240.- It's creeping up.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12250. At £250 right at the back of the room...
0:20:14 > 0:20:19- Yes! £250, Peter.- Excellent.- Middle of the estimate.- I'm pleased.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- So am I.- Very pleased with that. - Good valuation.
0:20:23 > 0:20:29- That's something towards the picture.- Thank you.- Thank you for taking part.- It's been good fun.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37This is a cracking item and it's turning out to be a family affair
0:20:37 > 0:20:42because we've been joined by Ann who we saw at the valuation day
0:20:42 > 0:20:47with that beautiful bit of scrimshaw, the carved powder horn.
0:20:47 > 0:20:52- But it is Mum's?- Yes.- Who have you brought along?- My mother Ruby.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56- Hi, Ruby. This is gorgeous, brilliant.- You think so?- Yes, I do.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- And who's this?- This is Ella, the great-granddaughter.
0:21:00 > 0:21:08- How many great-granddaughters do you have?- Eight. Five boys.- The money's all going to be divided up.
0:21:08 > 0:21:14- That's where the money's going. - We've got a valuation of £800 to £1,000 put on this by Catherine.
0:21:14 > 0:21:20I had a chat to Nick the auctioneer and we both waxed lyrical over this.
0:21:20 > 0:21:26- It's fabulous.- It's so good. It really is. I just hope it goes well above Catherine's estimate.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31- It should do. If it doesn't, don't sell it.- It was only in a cupboard.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36All credit to you because you've looked after this, haven't you?
0:21:36 > 0:21:43- No.- No? What happened? Tell us the story.- The children used to blow down it and try and get a tune.
0:21:43 > 0:21:49Did they? Well, all I can say is... let's watch this.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Lot 270 is the piece of scrimshaw.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Lovely item. Super bit of folk art.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58What are we gonna say? 700 to start me?
0:21:58 > 0:22:02£700? Is that 5?
0:22:02 > 0:22:06It's a start. It's 500 I'm bid on the far side.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Any advance on 500? At 500 in the far corner.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12510 I'll take, thank you. 520.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14530. 540.
0:22:14 > 0:22:20- 540 on the side. At £540. - It's struggling.- Come on.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24Any further bids on 540 quid? It's worth more.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27It's not gonna go.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31Anyone else coming in at 550? At £540...
0:22:31 > 0:22:34A little disappointing, this lot. At 540.
0:22:34 > 0:22:40Can't let it go. The reserve's higher. At 540, we're gonna pass it.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42Unsold, I'm afraid.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- Don't worry.- I can't believe it.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49I'm pleased it didn't sell at the lowest end.
0:22:49 > 0:22:54- We all think this is worth about £1,500, £1,600, £1,800.- Absolutely.
0:22:54 > 0:23:00- In the right sale. It's just the wrong day.- It's not worth a few hundred. It's worth a lot more.
0:23:00 > 0:23:07- This just means it stays in the family. It didn't want to be sold. - It didn't want to be sold.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10But don't use it as a trumpet. It's too fragile.
0:23:15 > 0:23:22I'm in the trendy Kemptown area of Brighton and have found an antiques shop with a difference.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26It belongs to Alex MacArthur. I could spend hours in this shop.
0:23:26 > 0:23:33Alex has created a unique look by mixing traditional antiques with heavy industrial furniture
0:23:33 > 0:23:35and many other intriguing items.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40Alex's talent is seeing beauty in the unusual.
0:23:40 > 0:23:45But it's hard to visualise how some of these pieces would fit in a home,
0:23:45 > 0:23:52which is why Alex's house doubles as a showcase where buyers can see the stock at its very best.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Alex, you've got a great eye.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01When you walk into your house, it's got the wow factor, as has the shop.
0:24:01 > 0:24:07You know how to knit things together but it doesn't work for everybody.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10You've got to have a very good eye.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14That's what makes it fascinating. It's about balance.
0:24:14 > 0:24:21- I don't like it when people think they can put me into a certain category.- Put you in a box.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Then I go, "This is me as well."
0:24:23 > 0:24:30Because in a way, it's all about self-expression, expressing all of the facets of who we are.
0:24:30 > 0:24:37So I might have my gym equipment and my sports benches and my antlers and my horns.
0:24:37 > 0:24:43But I might also have my Little House On The Prairie piece like this piece here.
0:24:43 > 0:24:48It's homely, it's authentic, it's simple, it's English.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52And that is also part of what I am.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02Now, that's nice. That is very me, very traditional.
0:25:02 > 0:25:07I love the way you've created symmetry and balanced it up.
0:25:07 > 0:25:14I love that and what it says. "No poisons are used. Family prescriptions prepared daily."
0:25:14 > 0:25:18- Pharmaceutical cabinet. - It's so simple.- It is, isn't it?
0:25:18 > 0:25:24That chemist was in Bond Street from the late 18th century to the early 20th century.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28I think that piece is Georgian. It's very simple.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31George IV, yes, it's really nice.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41So everything in this room is for sale?
0:25:41 > 0:25:46- Absolutely everything except what is already sold.- OK.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50And that is the downside of dealing from home.
0:25:50 > 0:25:56These two Chesterfields, I had to move the whole house around to accommodate them.
0:25:56 > 0:26:03- They look like they were meant to be in this room.- It's quite rare, two matching button-back Chesterfields.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08They're a lovely colour. And I love things in pairs, in collections.
0:26:08 > 0:26:13- Pairs sell so well.- Unfortunately, they're already sold.- Are they?
0:26:13 > 0:26:16I sold them last Saturday.
0:26:16 > 0:26:21I only had them for two weeks and they made me happy for two weeks.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25I was skipping around because I had two lovely Chesterfields.
0:26:25 > 0:26:31I can sympathise. I used to deal from home. I had my flat above the shop.
0:26:31 > 0:26:36And good clients came up to the flat. At first, it's hard to let go.
0:26:36 > 0:26:42You strive for these nice pieces, then someone wants to buy it. It's cash flow.
0:26:42 > 0:26:47You need to let go to buy more, but it's a hard principle to follow.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52My philosophy is you need to let go and there might be a period of void,
0:26:52 > 0:26:57but something equally gorgeous will take its place. You need that faith.
0:26:57 > 0:27:03Where do you buy a lot of your stock from? Do you go abroad or search auctions?
0:27:03 > 0:27:10I do a little bit of auctions, but mainly I buy in Europe, I buy in France. I'm constantly buying.
0:27:10 > 0:27:17- You've got a good gym theme going, lots of leather, old benches. - That comes from Eastern Europe.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22I have somebody who sources it for me, but the supplies are running out.
0:27:22 > 0:27:28The guy who supplies me used to have 20 or 30 leather gym mats to choose from at a time.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Now he has two or three.
0:27:30 > 0:27:37'The gym equipment shows Alex's vision - seeing style, beauty and new uses for obsolete things,
0:27:37 > 0:27:44'turning old leather benches and mats into chic tables and sofas, which he can then show off at home.'
0:27:44 > 0:27:49There's so much space here. You can create themes in different rooms.
0:27:49 > 0:27:56That's something I quite enjoy. At the top of the house, there are two smaller rooms.
0:27:56 > 0:28:01One of them is a study and the other one is my daughter's bedroom.
0:28:01 > 0:28:07- My daughter's bedroom is the girliest...- Pretty pink with '50s mirrored tables
0:28:07 > 0:28:10for putting make-up on and things.
0:28:10 > 0:28:16And that lovely 19th century, four-poster bed which I couldn't sell. She loves it.
0:28:16 > 0:28:23You have to draw the line. You can't take clients up there, your daughter comes home and everything's gone!
0:28:23 > 0:28:27I know. I feel guilty because it's quite an insecure lifestyle,
0:28:27 > 0:28:32feeling as though the sofa from underneath you might be sold.
0:28:32 > 0:28:38- So with certain things, I do have to draw the line. I can't sell my daughter's bed.- No.
0:28:38 > 0:28:45It's nice the way you can incorporate a slightly more industrial look in certain rooms.
0:28:45 > 0:28:51- Yeah.- Hard-edged metal.- That's right. But it's about finding the balance.
0:28:51 > 0:28:58It's a bit like being the conductor of an orchestra and realising that you have trombones, but also violins.
0:28:58 > 0:29:04And if you can see that and accept that, you can get them to play very well together.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15I found Alex's taste absolutely fascinating.
0:29:15 > 0:29:21It's creative, exciting, pushing boundaries and embracing the avant-garde.
0:29:21 > 0:29:28It's so distinctive that you either love it or you hate it, but there is now an Alex MacArthur look.
0:29:34 > 0:29:39There is still plenty to look at back at the valuation day.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43Catherine has a piece of jewellery brought in by Sally.
0:29:43 > 0:29:48This is a very charming Victorian bracelet. Where did you get it from?
0:29:48 > 0:29:53I remember getting it, I think I was a teenager, from my grandmother,
0:29:53 > 0:29:55- who is my mother's mother.- Right.
0:29:55 > 0:30:00But I've never worn it because I don't wear jewellery at all.
0:30:00 > 0:30:05I've always thought it was really pretty, but it was your mother's.
0:30:05 > 0:30:12I can remember as a child looking through my mother's bits and pieces and thinking how pretty that was.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16- It was the turquoise that I liked. - Absolutely.
0:30:16 > 0:30:21Date-wise, it's from about 1870, so it's been passed through...
0:30:21 > 0:30:27- It could have been my mother's mother?- Yes.- I just remember it with my mother.
0:30:27 > 0:30:34What I particularly like are these lovely little turquoise stones which are in a criss-cross pattern.
0:30:34 > 0:30:40It's going to be 15-carat gold. I've had a good look and I think that's probably what it is.
0:30:40 > 0:30:47Unfortunately, here there's one of the links missing which would join the chains together.
0:30:47 > 0:30:52That's not a huge problem. I can't believe you want to sell it.
0:30:52 > 0:30:57- Why are you selling it? - Just because it's literally shut...
0:30:57 > 0:31:02It was in a drawer under the bed. I had to move furniture to get it out.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05It's not seeing the light of day.
0:31:05 > 0:31:10- Somebody else should enjoy it.- It is quite a chunky piece of jewellery.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13It's not everybody's cup of tea.
0:31:13 > 0:31:19But I think a lot of people will be interested in the wonderful turquoise stones
0:31:19 > 0:31:24and it's a good, collectable piece of Victorian jewellery.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27Value-wise, I'd like to see it make £200-plus.
0:31:27 > 0:31:32So I'd suggest putting it in the auction at around £150 to £250.
0:31:32 > 0:31:37- How does that sound to you? - Yes, I think so.
0:31:37 > 0:31:43But as it's been in the family for such a long time, it would be a shame to let it go,
0:31:43 > 0:31:47- so maybe put a reserve on of £120? - That would be fine, yes.
0:31:47 > 0:31:54- Mum looks like she's having second thoughts.- No, I'm not having second thoughts. It's Sally's decision.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57It's silly if it's not worn.
0:31:57 > 0:32:02It's a piece of jewellery that should be worn and enjoyed.
0:32:02 > 0:32:07You're not enjoying it as it's under the bed, so it's time to flog it.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11- Thank you very much for coming along.- Thank you.
0:32:15 > 0:32:20- Hi, Paul.- Hi.- We won't win any prizes for guessing what's in here.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24- It's a concertina.- Yes. - This one is a nice example.
0:32:24 > 0:32:29You know it will be good quality because the case is rosewood.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31- OK.- Then when we do open it up,
0:32:31 > 0:32:37you can see this rosewood concertina inside. I'll pull it out delicately.
0:32:37 > 0:32:43It's quite important when you look at these to look at certain features.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Why have you brought it along?
0:32:45 > 0:32:52Because it's been sitting in my cupboard for the last ten years since my father died.
0:32:52 > 0:32:58He was an open-air missioner who travelled up and down the country preaching the Gospel
0:32:58 > 0:33:02to various places like Rhyl, Redcar and during...
0:33:02 > 0:33:07- All the exciting places?- Yes. He'd be on the beach preaching to people.
0:33:07 > 0:33:14They would have services and my father would play the concertina in order to produce the hymns.
0:33:14 > 0:33:19We've been clearing out the house and as Flog It was coming to Brighton,
0:33:19 > 0:33:24I thought I could get a valuation and see where we go from there.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27We've got this nice pierced top to it
0:33:27 > 0:33:31and I'm sure that'll match underneath, which it does.
0:33:31 > 0:33:37We've got the nice maker's label, which is a London maker, Wheatstone.
0:33:37 > 0:33:43Looking at the type of wood used, it's towards the end of the Victorian period, the 1890s.
0:33:43 > 0:33:50You also have to look for the number of keys. They can be as low as 14 for quite poor quality ones
0:33:50 > 0:33:56and over 30-something for very high quality ones which can make over £1,000.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00This one is mid-range. There are 25, I think, here.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Also you must look at the bellows.
0:34:03 > 0:34:09You've got a bit of damage on the actual pull-out, so I'll be careful when I open it.
0:34:09 > 0:34:14The bellows is in quite good condition and quite decorative.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18- So it's time for it to go to a good home?- I think so.
0:34:18 > 0:34:23- Somebody that will treasure it. - What would you hope it was worth?
0:34:23 > 0:34:28I had a feeling that it could be around maybe £300, £400?
0:34:28 > 0:34:30- I think you're spot-on.- Right.
0:34:30 > 0:34:36An estimate of £300 to £400 with a 300 reserve would be perfect.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40- How would you feel about that? - Entirely happy.
0:34:40 > 0:34:47Thank you for bringing it in. I look forward to seeing you at auction. Let's hope we make sweet music.
0:34:55 > 0:35:00Tess, this puts a big smile on my face. I absolutely adore it.
0:35:00 > 0:35:06Why have you brought this in to Flog It in order to flog it? Why do you want to do that?
0:35:06 > 0:35:12I've got a lot of other paintings and this one doesn't fit in with some of those.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17And it's been up in my attic for at least two or three years.
0:35:17 > 0:35:22Shame on you. This is gorgeous. Where did you get this from?
0:35:22 > 0:35:28I found it in a junk shop in Brighton. I happened to see it and the shop was closed.
0:35:28 > 0:35:35I rattled the door and the chap who lived above the shop came down. That was about ten years ago.
0:35:35 > 0:35:42- You said, "How much is that?"- It was a time when I didn't have a lot of money. I think I paid £50 for it.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46Just because I fell in love with it.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50I can see why. I've fallen in love with it as well.
0:35:50 > 0:35:56It's very much along the lines of the Newlyn School who copied the French Impressionists.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00I've looked up the artist and it's Margaret Sheffield.
0:36:00 > 0:36:06And there is a Mary Sheffield, her sister. They lived in Blackheath in London.
0:36:06 > 0:36:13They both flourished around the 1890s with great painters like Stanhope Forbes and Walter Langley.
0:36:13 > 0:36:18They went down to Cornwall for the light. Maybe this is Cornwall.
0:36:18 > 0:36:24- The cliff range doesn't look high enough.- I thought it might have been East Anglia or Suffolk.
0:36:24 > 0:36:29- That's the feeling it gave me. - Low horizons, typical of that area.
0:36:29 > 0:36:34I love this character. It looks like his trousers are rolled up.
0:36:34 > 0:36:40He's either a fisherman digging for ragworm or he could be an artist. That could be an easel.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- Yes, painting for the day.- Yes.
0:36:43 > 0:36:50There's a little bit of damage there, but other than that, the paintwork is very thick, very bold.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54It's a very competent artist using a broad brush.
0:36:54 > 0:37:00When they were flourishing around the 1890s, they had exhibitions all over the country,
0:37:00 > 0:37:06but I can't find any documented evidence of their paintings selling in auction.
0:37:06 > 0:37:12So I don't know how to gauge the price for a landscape of this size in oils.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15So it's a tricky one really.
0:37:15 > 0:37:20If I walked past a gallery in the West End and saw this
0:37:20 > 0:37:24and it had a price ticket of £500 on it,
0:37:24 > 0:37:28I'd be inclined to buy it and that's my gut feeling.
0:37:28 > 0:37:33Obviously, for auction purposes we must pitch it lower than that.
0:37:34 > 0:37:40I think if we put it into auction, we've got to be asking around £250 to £350
0:37:40 > 0:37:44- and hope that it tops that £400 mark.- Right.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48- Happy?- Sounds good. - Do you really want to sell it?- Yes.
0:37:48 > 0:37:55- Shall we put a fixed reserve... - Yeah, I'd like a reserve.- Of £250? - Yeah, 250 would be great.
0:37:55 > 0:38:02- I'm pleased you brought this in and I can't wait to see this sell. - I look forward to that.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08Let's have a final look at what we have to offer the bidders.
0:38:08 > 0:38:12The Victorian bracelet is too pretty to keep under the bed.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16I'm sure someone is going to snap it up.
0:38:16 > 0:38:22Paul's rosewood concertina is in good condition, so Mark hopes it will squeeze the right price!
0:38:22 > 0:38:29Finally, the Margaret Sheffield oil painting - I love it and I think others will too!
0:38:30 > 0:38:33First up, it's Paul's concertina.
0:38:33 > 0:38:41We've got £300 to £400 put on this by our expert Mark and this is another quality item. It's rosewood.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43It pushes all the right buttons.
0:38:43 > 0:38:48- Let's hope two people push it higher.- It strikes a chord with me.
0:38:48 > 0:38:56- I'm glad we're all singing from the same hymn sheet.- I think we should get on with it. Here we are.
0:38:56 > 0:39:01Musical lot, it's the 19th century concertina, by Wheatstone.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05Nice fretwork. Rosewood case. 300 anywhere?
0:39:05 > 0:39:09- Come on.- 250 then? 250 offered. - That's it, we're off.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12£250. 250 I'm bid. 260 I'll take.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14270. 280.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18300 standing. All done? At 300 I'm selling here...
0:39:19 > 0:39:23That was short and sweet. £300, on the money.
0:39:23 > 0:39:30- What are you gonna do with the money?- Hopefully, I'm going to get a painting to fit into my lounge.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34- What...?- I'm not sure I've seen anything here today.
0:39:34 > 0:39:42- Nothing tickles your fancy?- I think that the painting over there, that's quite a nice little painting.
0:39:42 > 0:39:47- Will you be getting a bidding paddle and having a go?- I might do.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55Coming up right now is that wonderful gold bracelet.
0:39:55 > 0:40:02- We've got Sally here, but not Shirley. Where's Mum? - She's looking after my daughter.
0:40:02 > 0:40:08OK. It is a bit of a family affair because the bracelet was Great-grandmother's, wasn't it?
0:40:08 > 0:40:12- Yes, I think so. - Not going to your daughters?- No.
0:40:12 > 0:40:17It's just too fussy. I don't think it's going to be their cup of tea.
0:40:17 > 0:40:22- You don't like it?- I think it's pretty, but not to wear.
0:40:22 > 0:40:29I'd prefer to get a photo frame to put a photograph of Grandmother in and remember her that way.
0:40:29 > 0:40:34Rather than have the bracelet put away in a drawer. Optimistic?
0:40:34 > 0:40:41- It's a nice little piece. It's very pretty. I just don't know... - You were looking around there.
0:40:41 > 0:40:48- I don't know that the jewellery collectors are here.- We've got a reserve of £120. Here it is now.
0:40:48 > 0:40:53The 15-carat gold and turquoise bracelet. There we are showing...
0:40:53 > 0:40:56- Shall we say 150?- 200, sir.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00- 2 is a good start.- Oh, that's nice. That's a surprise.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03It's always nice to have bidders like that!
0:41:03 > 0:41:08At 200 on the book. 210 standing. At 210 at the very back.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11Are we all done at 210...?
0:41:11 > 0:41:16They're not mucking around here. The hammer's gone down at £210.
0:41:16 > 0:41:21- That was incredible. The bid came in at 200.- He just shouted out.
0:41:21 > 0:41:26- Got to be happy with that.- I am. We can get a nice frame with that.
0:41:31 > 0:41:38I think this Margaret Sheffield oil on canvas, which I valued at 250 to 350, should do the business.
0:41:38 > 0:41:45- Hopefully.- We just need fingers crossed for the top end of the estimate, plus a little bit more.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48This is the next lot. Good luck.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51The Sheffield oil on canvas.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53Shall we say 200?
0:41:53 > 0:41:57- Yes, please.- 2 it is then. Thank you. On the right.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00210. 220. 230.
0:42:00 > 0:42:04- 240. 250.- Sold.- 260.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07270. 280.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10290. 300.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13320? Thank you, 320.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16340.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20At 340 on the commission bid. Are we all done?
0:42:24 > 0:42:29- Yes! There's a delayed reaction. - Excellent.- £340, that's great.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33- Top end of the estimate. You're happy.- Really good.
0:42:33 > 0:42:38Did I ask you what you were going to put the money towards?
0:42:38 > 0:42:44Probably split. I've got a new granddaughter, Aoife, who is three weeks old.
0:42:44 > 0:42:49She's going to get some of it and I'm going to plant a tree for my dad who died,
0:42:49 > 0:42:53- so it's going to go between the two of them.- Lovely.
0:42:53 > 0:42:59- Thank you so much for bringing in such a quality piece of art.- Thanks.
0:43:03 > 0:43:08It's all over for our owners. The auction is still going on.
0:43:08 > 0:43:14It was tough going at times, but I think we've pulled it off today. All credit to our experts.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17So until the next time, it's cheerio.
0:43:38 > 0:43:42Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2008
0:43:42 > 0:43:45Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk