0:00:02 > 0:00:06People have been crossing the Monnow River in the Wye Valley for the last past 800 years
0:00:06 > 0:00:08using this bridge, and now it's our turn.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Welcome to Flog It! from Monmouth in Wales.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14And he's running!
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Monnow Bridge, with its impressive gate tower,
0:00:37 > 0:00:41is the only surviving mediaeval bridge of its kind in Britain.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Each century has left its mark,
0:00:43 > 0:00:46adapting and expanding the bridge and the tower,
0:00:46 > 0:00:50so it could serve as a toll house, guard room and even a dwelling.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55Today this bridge provides a busy toll-free thoroughfare
0:00:55 > 0:00:59connecting the outlying areas to Monmouth's centre,
0:00:59 > 0:01:00and that's where we need to be.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05And later I'll be travelling out and about to the nearby Forest of Dean
0:01:05 > 0:01:09where creatures can be conjured up in all shapes and sizes.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17As you can see, the local people of Monmouth have turned out in force
0:01:17 > 0:01:20at today's venue, Monmouth Comprehensive School.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22We've got a massive queue, so let's get them inside.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27And already delving into the antiques and collectables
0:01:27 > 0:01:31are today's experts, Charlie Ross and Mark Stacey,
0:01:31 > 0:01:35so, as the crowds flood in, let's jump to the front of the queue
0:01:35 > 0:01:38where Mark is ready to pull the strings.
0:01:38 > 0:01:39- Hello, Gordon. Hello, Barbara.- Hello.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43- You've brought, obviously, a violin in to show us.- Yes.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Now, tell us a little bit about it.
0:01:45 > 0:01:51When our daughter was at primary school she wanted to learn to play
0:01:51 > 0:01:55and a neighbour said she had a violin which we could have,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58so that's how we came by it.
0:01:58 > 0:02:03- It was in a bit of disrepair, so we had to have reglued.- Right.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07But then my daughter had it and played it for a number of years
0:02:07 > 0:02:11and then later on, a younger brother took it on.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13- Oh, right.- Yes.- So, it's had a good bit of family use?
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- Oh, yes.- Yes.- Yes.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Can you remember what you paid for it with your neighbour?
0:02:18 > 0:02:20- I think it was £10.- £10.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24- £10, gosh. And then a little bit to have it reglued.- Yes, yes.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28- And you got the bow with it as well at the same time. - Yes, yes, it came with that.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32- The nice thing with this, of course, it's signed in the case.- Yes, yes.
0:02:32 > 0:02:33"Stent, 1915",
0:02:33 > 0:02:38and a little number four on the left hand bottom of the label,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42- so it could be his fourth violin, you never know.- That's right, yes.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Obviously, you know, we've got the signature
0:02:44 > 0:02:47and I think it's always nice to look all over the instrument.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- You get this lovely grain at the back.- It's beautiful.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54And I particularly like the fact, it's nice quality,
0:02:54 > 0:02:58because he's done these etched lines really all round the outline there.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02I don't know if you've noticed there the black inlay or markings there.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05- But it's quite nicely balanced, isn't it?- Yes, yes.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08It's of typical construction of course,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11except for this rather nice little finial at the end there,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14- which looks a bit like a melon, doesn't it?- Yes, yes.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- Or a tomato.- Someone suggested it might be a pomegranate.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19It could be a pomegranate actually,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22with that sort of seed bit there, it could well be.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- But I like it. I love the fact that you, almost recycled it, really, didn't you?- Yes.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28- The neighbour was about to throw it out.- Yes.
0:03:28 > 0:03:34You recycled it and then your daughter and son had great pleasure out of using it for all those years.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37- That's right. - Where has it lived recently?
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- Well, in the loft.- Oh, dear. - Yes.- Stuck up in the loft.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42- That's why it's come along to you. - Come to us today.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47- And hopefully we'll strike the right note on it.- Yes.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49In terms of value, it's nice you've got the bow.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52- I couldn't see any signatures on the bow.- No, no.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- But bows are worth a little bit of money in their own right.- Yes.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00I would suggest it may be around 200 to 300 in today's market,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03- but put the reserve at 200. - Yes.- Right.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06With a bit of discretion with the auctioneer, but who knows?
0:04:06 > 0:04:08It might go way above that.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12- It will be quite exciting, I should think.- Yes, it will. - It will be interesting.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- Have you been to auctions before? - No.- No, we haven't.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- It'll be your first time? - Yes.- Yes.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- We must try it, mustn't we? - Yes, we must.- Fantastic.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- Ralph and Anna, that's father and daughter?- Yes.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34- Yes.- This is extremely ostentatious, probably the most ostentatious thing
0:04:34 > 0:04:37that we will see on Flog It! today, I think.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- Before I go into the details of it, where have you had it?- In the loft.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45So it's been in the loft, but where did it come from before that?
0:04:45 > 0:04:48It's an aunt, an old aunt has died, yes.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Yeah. Your great aunt. Can you remember it being handed down?
0:04:51 > 0:04:56- I remember it on her mantelpiece. It was always there.- Right.- Yeah.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58It went from her mantelpiece into your loft?
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- I think it did! - HE CHUCKLES
0:05:01 > 0:05:04I think it spent about a week on our sideboard and then it went.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06Do you know where it was made?
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- France, I believe. - France is correct.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Do you know from what it's made?
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- Not really. It looks like marble and...- Right.
0:05:16 > 0:05:22Starting from the top, it's based on a classical bronze figure but sadly,
0:05:22 > 0:05:26we won't take the dome off because I don't need to now, it's spelter.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30So it's a low-grade metal compound
0:05:30 > 0:05:32which has been...
0:05:32 > 0:05:34gold painted by somebody.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38This is 1890 or thereabouts it was made.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41I had a peep into the back of the clock.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44The clock's made by Japy Freres, Paris clockmakers,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46so you are absolutely right, French.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49Now sadly the base is not marble.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- Isn't it? - No. It would be nice if it were.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54This is alabaster.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59- Oh.- Much softer, cheaper... looks more or less the same,
0:05:59 > 0:06:04and then it's under this splendidly modelled glass dome.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07Sadly someone's dropped the dome.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- Yes. - I take it that wasn't done today?
0:06:10 > 0:06:11- No comment.- No comments.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15No comments? Am I going to see which one of you is going redder?
0:06:15 > 0:06:16That's all we're prepared to say.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20No-one's prepared to say, but we remember it happening.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24Coming onto the valuation I'm afraid things like this, over the top Victoriana,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28which is what I would describe it as, is still on a downward spiral.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30People of your generation don't like this
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- as much as your great aunt would have done.- No.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37I'd love to have been talking about £200-400,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39and I'm talking about less than £100 now.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Probably £50 worth.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46Sadly the dome can't really be repaired so it's of no value,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49so I think we've got to be estimating £50 to £100
0:06:49 > 0:06:52and we don't want it to go back in the loft, do we?
0:06:52 > 0:06:55- No.- No. - So we'll sell it without reserve.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- That's fine. - A golden Flog It! moment.- Flog it.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59And my neck will be on the block.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Jane, it's lovely to meet you.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09What I want to know is why is this little piggy going off to market?
0:07:09 > 0:07:13Well, he's at home and he's living in a chest of drawers
0:07:13 > 0:07:16and it doesn't seem fair. And I think...
0:07:16 > 0:07:21- Why's he in a chest of drawers? - I've put him up for safekeeping. - Oh, I see.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24I bought him with lots of other bits and pieces...
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- How long ago?- And I liked him. About 20 years ago now.- OK.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- I liked him. I liked his little eyes.- He's got...- Character.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- He's got the cutest little eyes! - Yeah.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34Do you know anything about him?
0:07:34 > 0:07:38- It's German.- Yeah.- That's about all. - That's about all you know.- Yeah.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42- And he still works.- Yes. - Do you want to wind him up?- OK.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Go on, wind him up, let's watch him play before we talk about him.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- That's great, isn't it? You can hear the rhythm.- Yes, yeah.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58It's a two-bar phrase, isn't it? Listen.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04Oh, he's stopped. We were trying to play in unison, march together!
0:08:04 > 0:08:06We were all marching off to the sale room!
0:08:06 > 0:08:08He is beautiful. He really is.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11I'm going to pick him up and have a quick look.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14I'll take the key out. The thing to look for...
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- A typical tin plate toy, you can tell by his feet.- Right.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20You can see that. This is sort of pressed die-cast metal.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24There's the giveaway sign. It says there "Made in Germany".
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- Right.- Made in Germany and there, that's what you're looking for.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32- In there, it's very, very hard to see, that says Schuco.- Right.
0:08:32 > 0:08:38Now that's a German toy manufacturer that was founded in 1912
0:08:38 > 0:08:40by Heinrich Mueller and Heinrich Schreyer.
0:08:40 > 0:08:46OK? And they were very, very successful tinplate toymakers
0:08:46 > 0:08:50and they exported to this country and predominantly really to America
0:08:50 > 0:08:52right up until the Second World War.
0:08:52 > 0:08:53Aww.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Now, I can tell you he has a valuation of around £40 to £60.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02- Right.- One sold recently for £40. - Right.- In about the same condition.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04- So, that's a good guide price.- Yes.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06He is part of a trio.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11- Now, there's a fiddle-playing pig who's covered in felt.- Oh, right!
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- And a flautist who's covered in felt.- Right.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18- Now, if you've got the trio together they're worth £200 to £300.- Right.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23I'm hoping someone in the saleroom might have the fiddle player
0:09:23 > 0:09:25and they'll pay a lot more than £40 or £50 for him,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28because they'll want a little duo.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31- So, let's give him a value of £40 to £60.- Right.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34- With a reserve of 40.- Lovely. - Are we happy with that?
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- I'm happy with that.- Sure?- Yes.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Let's wind him up one more time
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- and march out with him, shall we? - OK.- Go on, then.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46There we go.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54It's slowing down now!
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Zana, he is super. I love him.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07When you brought him along, did you know anything about him?
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- I knew a little, that he was an Austrian bronze.- Yeah.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13And obviously I tipped him up and checked on the name.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- Had a look, yes. - He's just been in the family.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19I suspect when you tipped it up, you saw the name Geschuetz.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- That's right, yes.- Manufactured. Where did he come from?
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- He was Grandma's.- Right.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27And he sat on her sideboard in the parlour,
0:10:27 > 0:10:33but there was another little boy that had his head in his hands
0:10:33 > 0:10:36and they both were looking at the little pot,
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- which I'm not quite sure... - At the pot?- Yes.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42And I'm not quite sure quite what was brewing in the pot.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- What do you think?- I don't know.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Something a little wicked or perhaps coffee.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- Coffee, I think.- Coffee. - Don't get too excited.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- OK. Right.- I think the pot's too big
0:10:51 > 0:10:55- and it's traditional Moroccan or whatever shape...- Yes.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- Or even Middle Eastern shape for a coffee pot.- Right.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- So, I think we can say coffee... - Coffee.- Quite safely.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- Nothing more risque than that.- Right.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06And you're right, it is Austrian. Date?
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- Late 19th century.- Yeah.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- Late 19th century. It's about 1890. - Right.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16Cold cast bronze and hence its weight. It's very heavy.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18- Yes, it is heavy, isn't it? - Yes.- Yes.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20- I'm just going to check underneath. - Right.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- There we are, it's clear, isn't it? - Yes. Austrian Geschuetz.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28The paintwork is in such good condition.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- It's quite good, isn't it? - Quite often these have been...
0:11:31 > 0:11:36- They've gone out of fashion, been put in boxes with other ones and the paintwork chips.- Yes.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40And if you lose the paint, frankly, you lose a huge amount of the value.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44You can repaint it, but you'd never replicate that patination.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46No, I understand that.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51There's a little bit off the hat, off the fez, but the rest of it is splendid.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- And I love the modelling of the logs. - The coals.- The coals.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58- Little coals or something. - The coals and the logs.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01I think it's wonderful. Value.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03When you were standing in the queue today,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06did you think, "Ah, that's worth X, Y, Z?"
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- Well, I would have thought over 100. - Yes.- But other than that...
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Certainly over 100.
0:12:12 > 0:12:17- I would put a conservative estimate of 150 to 200 on it.- Right.- Yeah.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- I'd like to see it top 200, actually. - It would be nice.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- It's one of the nicest ones I have seen.- It would be nice.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25We'll put a reserve on it of 150?
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- That's fine.- Happy with that?- Yes. - With perhaps a little discretion.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32I don't think I'd be disappointed if the auctioneer used his discretion,
0:12:32 > 0:12:36which would be a tenner or so either way, because I think there will be...
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- Hopefully, there'll be some fierce competition.- Yes.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- He's lovely. He'll find a new home.- Yes.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Thank you very much for bringing him along.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46We'll see if whoever buys it can find a little companion for him.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48That would be nice.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- Hello, Ruth.- Hello, Mark. - Nice to meet you.
0:12:54 > 0:12:55Very nice to meet you.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59You've brought a lovely collection of silver in.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Most of it is a family collection?
0:13:01 > 0:13:05These four items here were family, part of our family collection of silver.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09- And the two napkin rings I bought them fairly recently. - Where...- Online.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Oh, you're an internet shopper, are you?
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- I'm afraid so.- It's compulsive. - It is.- You want to be careful.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18Well, looking at the collection we've got really some very usual things,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21but they're nice in their own individual right.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24We've got a little continental pillbox,
0:13:24 > 0:13:26a little silver matchbox holder,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28a little silver bookmark in the form of a trowel
0:13:28 > 0:13:31and, as you mentioned, the latest of your purchases,
0:13:31 > 0:13:34the pair of Mappin & Webb napkin rings,
0:13:34 > 0:13:36which are relatively modern, but a lovely shape
0:13:36 > 0:13:40- and have got a good heavy weight. - Very, very heavy weight.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44- But the nicest piece I think is this little box here.- Yes.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Immediately, you can see it's continental,
0:13:46 > 0:13:51because the shape of the piece of furniture it's meant to be imitating, or copying as such,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53is a continental piece, probably Dutch.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- So, I would call it an armoire.- Yes.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Although it's got a little funny saying on the back,
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- which I think you've translated. - Yes, we have.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05My friend, Bea, who came along with me today,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08she pointed out this means, "This is a new cabinet.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12"It is mine, don't take it!" Or something along those lines.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15I think it's wonderful. It's a little jokey novelty.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17And I think with the type of marks, the style of it,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- I think we're looking at around about 1900.- Yes.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- Give or take 10 years either way. - Right, right.
0:14:23 > 0:14:24I think it's quite a charming piece
0:14:24 > 0:14:29- and that is the sort of thing which would appeal to a box collector.- Yes.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31If I was putting it in for sale,
0:14:31 > 0:14:34I think I would put them in as a little group.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- Right.- But leave the description with the box
0:14:38 > 0:14:40and I think as a little collection
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- we're probably looking at around about the £150 mark.- Right.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46- Something like that.- OK.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50And I would suggest putting the estimate straddling that,
0:14:50 > 0:14:55so maybe £120 to £180 with a reserve of 120.
0:14:55 > 0:14:56- OK.- Wonderful.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Well, I'm very, very happy to have put that in for sale for you
0:14:59 > 0:15:03and I hope we get you a lot of money and we'll see you at the auction.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10Look at that. That's what we love to see, a very busy valuation day.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12We've now found our first items to take off to auction,
0:15:12 > 0:15:16so we'll leave you with a quick reminder of what we're flogging.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Gordon and Barbara's daughter no longer plays this violin,
0:15:19 > 0:15:23so it's out of the loft and hopefully into new hands.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26And Jane's hoping her little piggy will make some noise at auction.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Charlie is pretty impressed with Ralph and Anna's clock,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36despite the mysterious damage.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- Sadly, someone's dropped the dome. - Yes.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- I take it that wasn't done today. - No comment about that.- No comment?
0:15:43 > 0:15:46But will it fetch his £50-100 estimate?
0:15:48 > 0:15:52Will Ruth's online purchase pull in a profit
0:15:52 > 0:15:55when she combines the silver napkin rings with her family pieces?
0:15:55 > 0:15:59And I'm confident Zana's grandmother's bronze
0:15:59 > 0:16:02is by Austrian sculptor Franz Bergman.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Right, now's the time to up the tempo.
0:16:06 > 0:16:07For today's sale
0:16:07 > 0:16:11we've come south to the Athenaeum Auction Rooms here in Cardiff.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Now, I wonder if our experts are going to be on the money.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18And we'll soon find out because hammering out the prices
0:16:18 > 0:16:21on the rostrum today is auctioneer Ryan Beech.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Ruth's collection of silver is up next.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26We've got £120 put on this in value.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29It's a good nucleus for somebody to start a collection.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32It is and it's a good trade off as well, in fairness,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- which we discussed on the day, but I love that...- The armoire.- Dash box.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37It's so sweet. Because we led with that
0:16:37 > 0:16:39and then we put the other little bits in
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- just to make it a bit more exciting and tempting, really.- Yeah.
0:16:42 > 0:16:48- I'd have kept that one bit, I think. - Yeah.- It's too late now.- That's the only bit I would like to keep.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52Lot 284 is the Dutch, small Dutch white metal box
0:16:52 > 0:16:55and other silver items here. Lot 284.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57£75 I have to start. At £75.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00At 80. Five. 90. Five.
0:17:00 > 0:17:01100. And ten.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03120. It takes me out at 120.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05The gentleman standing at 120 now. At £120.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Standing at 120. At £120.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- Are we all done, then? - No bids.- At £120?
0:17:10 > 0:17:13- Thank you. - You've got to be happy with that.
0:17:13 > 0:17:14Yeah, very happy, yes.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16I'm going to put it towards something else.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20I've started to collect something different now.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27We've just been joined by Ralph and his daughter Anna
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- and time is definitely up for the old French clock.- It is.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34There is no reserve on this, which we agreed, didn't we, on the day...
0:17:34 > 0:17:36Quite right, too.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39If it didn't sell, what were you going to do with this?
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Drop it in the dustbin on the way out.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- Is Dad always like this?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50It's a 19th-century French gilt spelter alabaster mantle clock.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- Start me at £50 for this lot, please. £50 I have, thank you.- Yes.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Five, I'll take. At 50, at £50, the gentleman standing at 50, 55,
0:17:56 > 0:18:0260, 65, 70, 75, 80, at £80 the gentleman standing.
0:18:02 > 0:18:07At 80 now, 85, 90, 95, 100, and ten,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10120, 130, 140, 150.
0:18:10 > 0:18:15At 150, front row at 150 now, at £150 are we all done, then?
0:18:15 > 0:18:17- Result.- Hammer's gone down.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19They seduced me in Paris.
0:18:20 > 0:18:25Ever so pleased for you. I told you, didn't I, somebody else's junk is somebody else's treasure.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29Well, that's really good, so who's getting all the dosh?
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- Well, me, I think. - This one's decided.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34It has been decided, yes.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Time for the little piggy to go off to market today.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44It's that clockwork tin pig which belongs to Jane.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49We've got £40 to £60 on this. It's a cute little thing and it does work.
0:18:49 > 0:18:50Ryan didn't mention it at all,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- so hopefully he agrees with the valuation...- Right.
0:18:53 > 0:18:54And it's going to sell.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58But I know if it doesn't sell, you're not too bothered.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01No, no, it can come home with me. I'd be quite happy.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03The Schuco automaton in the form of a pig.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06£15 I have to start. At £15.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08At £15. And 18. 20.
0:19:08 > 0:19:1022. 25. 28. 30.
0:19:10 > 0:19:1332. 35. 40. It takes me out at 40.
0:19:13 > 0:19:1545. 50.
0:19:15 > 0:19:1955. 60. 65.
0:19:19 > 0:19:2270. 75. At 75.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24The gentleman standing at 75 now.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27At £75. Are we all done, then, at £75?
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- Oh, well done. Lovely. - Yeah, that was good, wasn't it?
0:19:31 > 0:19:33- It deserved that.- Yes. - It was worth it.
0:19:33 > 0:19:34It was absolutely charming.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Next up, a short musical interlude. It's the violin.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44It belongs to Barbara and Gordon and we've got £200 to £300 on this.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47It's cased. It's a cracking example, actually.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51I love the headstock, so unusual, and the condition is very good.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53- Mark, you've put two to three on this.- Yes.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57And I... I didn't mention anything to the auctioneer,
0:19:57 > 0:19:59he hasn't said anything, hopefully he agrees with our valuation.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02- I hope so. It's not my usual subject. - It's not.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04I'm a bit blind on this, I'm afraid.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08- I might have hit a bum note.- Ooh!
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Well, I... I think we'll get the top end, surely we've got to.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13- I hope so.- That's what I'm hoping.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16- So, have you done any more research on it?- Yes, yes.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19We asked the neighbours who sold it to us
0:20:19 > 0:20:24and they're telling us that it belonged to a Burt Gutsell,
0:20:24 > 0:20:26who was known as Bertini,
0:20:26 > 0:20:29and was leader of the ballroom orchestra in Blackpool
0:20:29 > 0:20:32during the '20s and '30s.
0:20:32 > 0:20:33That's a really nice piece of history.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35In the '20s, when it was all happening.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38Let's hope we get the top end, and hit the right note.
0:20:38 > 0:20:39It's going under the hammer now.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42Lot number 535 is a violin.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Lot number 535.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48Numerous commission bids here. Start me straight in at...
0:20:49 > 0:20:51It's gone quiet.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53£230. 230 I have.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55- Well, we've sold it.- £230.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58At £230. 240.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00250. 260. 270.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02- 280. 290.- Fantastic!
0:21:02 > 0:21:03300. 310.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06At £310. 320, Mike?
0:21:06 > 0:21:08£320. Yes, please.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10320. 330 with me.
0:21:10 > 0:21:11No? OK.
0:21:11 > 0:21:17At £330. Back with me at £330. Are we all out then at £330?
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- Yes!- Brilliant! - That wasn't bad, was it?
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- You could say we've ended on a crescendo.- Brilliant!
0:21:23 > 0:21:24Barbara, Gordon, wow!
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Yeah, we're very surprised.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29You've got to pay the commission. What are you going to do with £300?
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- Well, we'll split it up between our three children.- Yes, yeah.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35- It will divide up easily, then. - Yes.- It will.
0:21:37 > 0:21:38Great result.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40I think we hit the right note.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- It wasn't a bum note, Mark. - That was excellent.
0:21:47 > 0:21:52When we talk about investing in antiques we talk about quality, condition and a good maker's name.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55This has got the lot. It's a little Austrian cold painted bronze.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57It belongs to Zana, not for much longer,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- and the name Bergman will just definitely sell this.- Great.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03It's a cracking little thing. Charlie, our expert, you fell in love with this.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05I did. I think it's fabulous
0:22:05 > 0:22:08and the paintwork's pretty good on it, which is good.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11I think probably the estimate is a little conservative.
0:22:11 > 0:22:12I think it is a little bit.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15I had a chat to Ryan the auctioneer before the sale.
0:22:15 > 0:22:16A wonderful Bergman bronze.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20This has got "come and buy me" written all over it at 150 to 200.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23It certainly has. I can see it doubling that.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24The quality of it is superb.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Look at the folds of the tunic, the detailing of the face and hands.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29It's a lovely quality piece.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32I think probably 300 to 400 would be a sensible estimate.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37Let's find out what the bidders in Cardiff think of this little Bergman piece. Here we go.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42Lot number 577 is the Franz Bergman bronze here, lot 577.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47Numerous commission bids here again. Start me straight in at £210.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49210 I have to start.
0:22:49 > 0:22:50220. 230.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52240. It takes me out at 240.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54At £240. 250.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56260. 270. 280.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00- 290. 300.- Brilliant.- 310.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03- Oh, my Lord! 320. 330. - Three to four.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06340. 350. 360.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08At £360. Back of the room at 360.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Are we all done, then, at 360?
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- Sold! £360.- That's good, isn't it?
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- Yeah, we're happy with the three to four.- Yes. Great.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19You've got to be over the moon with that?
0:23:19 > 0:23:23I'm going to buy a Belcher chain to put on a locket of Gran's.
0:23:23 > 0:23:24Oh, lovely.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Cos it was her grandma's and over the years it's worn,
0:23:27 > 0:23:28so I'll put a new chain on it.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30That's a nice thing to remember her by.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34So it's handed down through oldest daughters, so...
0:23:34 > 0:23:36- Then you can pass that on again. - That's right.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41That's the end of our first visit to the auction room today.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43We are coming back later on in the show,
0:23:43 > 0:23:46but before I go back to the valuation day in Monmouth
0:23:46 > 0:23:47I'm going to take a short detour...
0:23:47 > 0:23:55to this impressive canopy, 42 square miles of woodland that makes up the Forest of Dean.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58This ancient forest was for many centuries owned by the reigning king
0:23:58 > 0:24:02or queen of England with the trees being used for fuelling industry.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06Since the 1970s this enchanting forest
0:24:06 > 0:24:11has been run by the Forestry Commission for leisure and tourism.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20Today this enchanting forest has become a great source of inspiration
0:24:20 > 0:24:25for many local artists, including the man I'm meeting today.
0:24:25 > 0:24:31Clayton Ryder is a sculptor, but he's got more than just artistic interest in the Forest of Dean.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33You could say it's in his blood.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48- Clayton, it's lovely to meet you. - Hiya, Paul. It's nice to meet you.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50- I think your work is fantastic. - Thank you very much.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53- You're a talented man.- Thank you very much, you're very kind.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Before we talk about all these, can we take a pew here?
0:24:56 > 0:25:01And I just want to know a little bit about your background because I believe you are a true forester.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04- I am, yeah. I was born within the hundred of St Briavel's.- What's that?
0:25:04 > 0:25:09That's an old mining term that meant that anybody born within the hundred of St Briavel's
0:25:09 > 0:25:13- could work a year and a day down a pit and claim free miners' rates. - What do you mean by that?
0:25:13 > 0:25:21Them mines that are run by foresters born and bred still drawing coal from the forest
0:25:21 > 0:25:24and that's the only way that coal is drawn now, through the free mines.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26So, obviously your parents were in the mining community.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29They were, yeah. On both sides of my family.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31My mother's side and my father's side have both...
0:25:31 > 0:25:38- Right.- I went into engineering, following more of my father's side of history, if you like.- Yeah.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41And after working many years as an engineer of redundancies here and there
0:25:41 > 0:25:44sort of made me make a decision.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48I'd seen these chaps doing the carvings at fairs and shows all around.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51So, you make that transition from engineering into...carving.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53- Yeah.- In wood.- Yeah.
0:25:53 > 0:25:58- So, you're obviously very good with your hands, then.- I don't mind a bit of work with me hands.
0:25:58 > 0:26:03We're here at the Heritage Centre at the Forest of Dean, so how did you get involved with this?
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Well, I saw a job opportunity come up at the Dean Leisure Centre as a maintenance man.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09- Yeah.- I applied and got this job.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12I've been here now for... This is my fourth year.
0:26:12 > 0:26:20So, I work five days of the week as the site manager here and then on weekends we get on with the carving.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- And you certainly have become a big attraction, haven't you?- Yeah, yeah.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26People from all over the country come here to see you work.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29- They do, yeah. They do.- Well, I want to talk about your technique
0:26:29 > 0:26:32because I know you don't use traditional carving tools
0:26:32 > 0:26:34like hammers and chisels and gougers, do you?
0:26:34 > 0:26:37No, not at all. I just use a chainsaw.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39- Just literally a chainsaw? - Yeah, nothing else.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Everything I do is chainsaw started and chainsaw finished.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46And you... Did you start all those years ago with a chainsaw or did you actually do it traditionally?
0:26:46 > 0:26:51No, I've never been traditionally trained. I'm self taught. It's just the chainsaw, me and a bit of wood.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55So what's the biggest thing you've ever carved? What was it?
0:26:55 > 0:26:58That was a dragon and it was 22 feet long.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02- Wow!- About four feet across, 22 feet long out of copper beech.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04- And where's that now? - That's in the Forest of Dean.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06- Oh, is it? - Yeah. It's in a private residence.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10It came down in the garden and I carved it where it fell.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12I've got to say, on the show we see a lot of carvings of
0:27:12 > 0:27:17- 20th century Black Forest bears, you know the ones, so high?- Yeah.
0:27:17 > 0:27:23Behind you we've got a Forest of Dean carving of a bear, which is full size virtually!
0:27:23 > 0:27:26- Yeah.- How long did that take? - It took about 12 hours.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30- About 12 hours working on it. - It's no wonder you use a chainsaw! - Well, that's it.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34I can get the finish that I require and the timber requires with a chainsaw.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38The finish you've got is typical of the chip carving we see on the Black Forest work.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42- Yeah, yeah.- Are we going to get a demonstration?- You are, yeah. - Is it going to be loud?
0:27:42 > 0:27:46- It'll be loud for them that's close! - What will you carve? What are you going to do?
0:27:46 > 0:27:51- I'm not going to tell you. I'm going to surprise you.- Oh, OK. Am I sitting on it or are you sitting on it?
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- No, it's over there. - How long do you need?- It should be done in a couple of hours.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56A couple of hours. OK, all right, then.
0:27:56 > 0:28:02In the 1960s, chainsaw dealers in America competed to promote their products
0:28:02 > 0:28:07at forestry expos and state fairs, so they carved simple sculptural shapes.
0:28:07 > 0:28:13What started as a gimmick lead to a movement of artists who experimented with chainsaw carving.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29While Clayton gets on with his carving, I went to have a look
0:28:29 > 0:28:35at another important role he plays here in keeping an ancient tradition alive.
0:28:35 > 0:28:41For approximately 2,500 years, since the Celts settled within its boundaries, the valuable minerals
0:28:41 > 0:28:47of iron ore, coal and stone that lie beneath this forest floor have been extensively mined.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51To produce iron you need one important ingredient.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55It's charcoal and it's been produced in this forest since 450 BC
0:28:55 > 0:28:59and with Clayton's help it still goes on today.
0:28:59 > 0:29:04Clayton organises three burns a year at the Heritage Centre.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06He carefully stacks lengths of wood over a pit.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08This is covered with turf or soil.
0:29:08 > 0:29:14Charcoal embers are dropped into the central hole and the stack burns for four days.
0:29:14 > 0:29:20When the smoke pouring out of the vents changes from white to blue the burn is complete.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25Well, I can still hear the chainsaw.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27I wonder how Clayton is getting on.
0:29:43 > 0:29:48Well, I know I'm a bit early, but I heard the chainsaw stop, so let's see if Clayton's finished.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52- Masking it! Hiya, mate. - All right, buddy?- Yeah.
0:29:52 > 0:29:53That was quick.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56- Aye, quick enough. - And that is fantastic.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Isn't that amazing?
0:29:59 > 0:30:02- So quick!- Just over an hour.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05A wonderful bird of prey.
0:30:05 > 0:30:10I love the beak! God, could you imagine just going wrong at the last minute and knocking the beak off?
0:30:10 > 0:30:14Where did you start on that? Just talk me through the process of getting a block
0:30:14 > 0:30:16and then getting that from a solid block.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19I worked out where his back was going to be,
0:30:19 > 0:30:21- so it's just a straight cut down the back.- Yeah.
0:30:21 > 0:30:26Tilt the head slightly so then it's two... Two cuts to get either side of the head.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29- So you've shaped the head that way. - Yeah.- Then cut in for the breast?
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Yeah. Shape the wings in, cut the feathers in.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34- Feet last?- Yeah. Easy as that.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36As easy as that! I think it's brilliant.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39These could be the next collectables of the future.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41We'll see these turning up on Flog It! in 20 years.
0:30:41 > 0:30:46- That would be nice, wouldn't it? - Do you do many private commissions or is a lot of this charity work?
0:30:46 > 0:30:48It's mostly charity work because I work for the museum.
0:30:48 > 0:30:53Anything we can raise goes towards the charity of the museum, because the museum, being a charity,
0:30:53 > 0:30:56- we raise what we can for it. - Yeah, and they're doing such a cracking job here.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01- Yeah, yeah.- It's a pleasure to meet you.- And you, mate.- You're very talented man.- Thank you very much.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07The people here at the Dean Heritage Centre are working tremendously hard
0:31:07 > 0:31:10to celebrate and preserve this forest's rich history
0:31:10 > 0:31:16and the continued use of fallen trees like these by people like Clayton
0:31:16 > 0:31:20to make works of art bring that long history bang up to date.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Out of the woods and back at the valuation tables
0:31:31 > 0:31:35is true forester Jean and she's brought in
0:31:35 > 0:31:37an interesting collection that caught Charlie's eye.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40Jean, lovely to see you. Where have these medals been hiding?
0:31:40 > 0:31:44They have been in a wardrobe for about 30 years in a box.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48Oh, have they? And you've had them all that time?
0:31:48 > 0:31:53- Yeah.- And what made you pull them out today?- I decided I'd have to declutter a little bit, yeah.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56Can you tell me anything about them?
0:31:56 > 0:32:00I know very little except they belonged to my late husband's father.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03- You're late husband's father.- Who was in the navy.- Who was in the navy.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06Well, hence this wonderful volume entitled
0:32:06 > 0:32:12World Cruises Of The British Special Service Squadron, '23 to '24.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15And these important warships
0:32:15 > 0:32:22that took part in the war subsequently, in the '39 - '45 war
0:32:22 > 0:32:28went on a world cruise and this shows where they went and which the ships were.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32Right, the ships Hood, Repulse, Delhi,
0:32:32 > 0:32:36Danae, Dragon, Dauntless,
0:32:36 > 0:32:42HMAS Adelaide, Australian ship, and that's where they went all round the world.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45Now, the first one I think's interesting, the Hood,
0:32:45 > 0:32:50very, very famous ship which had a very, very famous and tragic ending.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52Now, did you say...
0:32:52 > 0:32:54- I believe he served on it. - He served on the Hood?
0:32:54 > 0:32:57- I believe he did, yeah. - He survived the war?- Yeah.
0:32:57 > 0:33:03He obviously wasn't on the Hood in, I don't know whether it was 1940 or '41
0:33:03 > 0:33:08because the Hood and the Repulse were sent out to get the Bismarck.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10I don't know if you've ever seen the film Sink The Bismarck!
0:33:10 > 0:33:13- Yes, I have, yes. - Kenneth More at his best.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17And the Hood, which was the pride of the British fleet,
0:33:17 > 0:33:22engaged the Bismarck
0:33:22 > 0:33:25and one shell...
0:33:25 > 0:33:27I mean, it's just extraordinary, one shell from the Bismarck
0:33:27 > 0:33:31hit the Hood, went down the funnel and went into the magazine.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34- Right.- And blew the whole ship up.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38And there were four survivors.
0:33:38 > 0:33:43Four survivors, so he obviously wasn't on that day, thank God.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45But that's the trip they did.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49There is HMS Hood, battle cruiser, big ship.
0:33:49 > 0:33:54Eight 15-inch guns, nothing compared with the Bismarck, sadly,
0:33:54 > 0:33:58but a big ship and an important ship.
0:33:58 > 0:34:03Then if we just flick through to here, here's one of the places.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05They went to New Zealand.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09There are some wonderful Maori pictures here.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12It was a sort of PR exercise, really,
0:34:12 > 0:34:16for Britain and the Royal Navy to go round the world.
0:34:16 > 0:34:21- It's a history of the world in one album, really.- That's right.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23And in super condition.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26Coming on to the medals, they're all General Service.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28- They're not medals for valour.- No.
0:34:28 > 0:34:34The nearest we've got to that is the long service medal, naval medal.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38Beautiful medal. Beautifully produced. These are general service medals.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42The Atlantic, he obviously served in the Atlantic,
0:34:42 > 0:34:45and you got a medal if you served in the Atlantic.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Served in Italy, the Italy Star
0:34:48 > 0:34:50and that's the general '39, '45 star,
0:34:50 > 0:34:55and that is the General Service Medal, so they tell a story...
0:34:55 > 0:34:58- A story. - Of somebody that was through the war.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01- Do you've any idea what it might be worth?- Not really, no.
0:35:01 > 0:35:07- I've no idea.- The medal here, the long service medal, is worth
0:35:07 > 0:35:09£20, £30.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13These are worth a few pounds each, a few pounds for this.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15I think £50 to £100 would be a sensible valuation...
0:35:15 > 0:35:20- OK.- ..with a reserve at the bottom end and I think there'll be sufficient interest hopefully
0:35:20 > 0:35:23- to knock it up towards the top end. - OK, thank you.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29- Hello, Don.- Hello there.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32Now, I don't think we've had one of these on Flog It! before.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36This is a silver-castle-topped card case. Have you had it long?
0:35:36 > 0:35:39I bought it very early '60s.
0:35:39 > 0:35:44- Oh, right.- I bought one piece of silver each month as savings,
0:35:44 > 0:35:49and four years after I'd bought this, the dealer rang me up
0:35:49 > 0:35:52and offered me four, five times what I'd paid for it.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56- Good Lord!- And I thought, "Oh, I've struck gold!"
0:35:56 > 0:36:00and I slung it in the drawer and thought no more about it.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02- And what did you pay for it?- £96.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06Gosh. That was quite a lot of money back then, wasn't it, actually?
0:36:06 > 0:36:11Well, it was. It was to us. You know, £96 was like a month's wages.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14- To a struggling farmer. - That's it, you've got it.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18Well, it's very interesting. I mean, these are quite well-known pieces.
0:36:18 > 0:36:23- I mean, they made a lot of them in the early Victorian period. - Yeah, yeah.
0:36:23 > 0:36:28And there are several makers of them and the value, it very much lies in the rarity of the subject.
0:36:28 > 0:36:35- Yes.- Well, I think this one actually is Winchester Cathedral.
0:36:35 > 0:36:41- Oh, that's interesting. I did think it was Canterbury.- No, I don't... I don't think it's Canterbury.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43- But...- Oh, that's interesting.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45You've got the best maker.
0:36:45 > 0:36:50This is made by Nathaniel Mills, who was a specialist maker of small silver objects
0:36:50 > 0:36:56- in the early part of the 19th century and he was based in Birmingham. - Oh, Birmingham.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58So, we've got, you know, the right maker,
0:36:58 > 0:37:02we've got an interesting item in the fact that it's Winchester
0:37:02 > 0:37:06and the date letter is for 1843, so it's early Victorian.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08Oh, good.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10But we do have a slight problem.
0:37:10 > 0:37:15We have this sort of nasty dent in the back here. But that's not too bad.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17Somebody will be able to slip something in there.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20A good silversmith would push that one out.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24Yes, I would have thought so. So, to value.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28Ideally, I think, we would put something like 1,000 to 1,500
0:37:28 > 0:37:31on this, but you're a canny Welsh farmer, aren't you?
0:37:31 > 0:37:34Well, struggle isn't the word these days.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40- So, you've forced me up.- I know.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43And we're going to agree to put a £1,200 to £1,500 estimate on it.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47- Well, there you go.- With a 1,200 reserve.- That sounds about right.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50- I think it's got a chance. - Yeah, yeah, well... Be nice.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53We'll see you at the auction and let's hope we're toasting your success.
0:37:53 > 0:37:58- Let's hope Mother Luck shines on us. - Absolutely.- That would be good. Thank you.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Bronwyn, first of all, happy birthday to you!
0:38:03 > 0:38:07- Thank you very much.- Celebrating you birthday with a trip to Flog It! - That's right, yes.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11- And then anything planned? - Lunch after.- Lunch.
0:38:11 > 0:38:16- Yes, with the family. - With the family.- Yes. - How many family members?- 16.- 16?!
0:38:16 > 0:38:21- Oh, crikey! We'd better get a move on, then!- Yes, please. - Have you ever worn this?
0:38:21 > 0:38:25- No.- You don't like it, do you? - No, I don't.- I can tell. - No, I don't like it.
0:38:25 > 0:38:30- How long have you had it for? - Oh, I should think about 20 years now, but it was my aunt's.- Right.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33And when she died, it was given to me.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36Right. So, it's been sitting in a box somewhere, presumably?
0:38:36 > 0:38:39- Yes, actually in the teapot, yeah. - Right.- Yes.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41- Do you know how old it is?- No idea.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Right.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46It's first half of the 20th century.
0:38:46 > 0:38:481920s, 1930s, I think.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51- Do you know where it comes from?- No, no, I know nothing at all about it.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Well, looking at all those stones
0:38:54 > 0:38:58I think probably what is now Sri Lanka, what was Ceylon.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01- Oh, right, yes.- All these stones are
0:39:01 > 0:39:04readily available there.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10From the left here - and forgive me if I forget, I'm not a gemmologist -
0:39:10 > 0:39:13- but we have got a citrine.- Right.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15- Then a garnet.- Yes.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18- Then a smoky quartz.- Oh, right.
0:39:18 > 0:39:23Then really a rather splendid sapphire, big, deep cut sapphire.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27They cut it quite deeply so as to draw as much colour as possible.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29- Oh, right.- Yeah.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Then we've got a cabochon amethyst.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35By cabochon, not cut, it's rounded.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37It's in the form really of a bead.
0:39:37 > 0:39:38- Yes.- Amethyst.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40Then we've got the zircon.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43- Right.- And then, although it's a slightly different colour,
0:39:43 > 0:39:45- we've got another garnet at the end. - Oh, right.
0:39:45 > 0:39:50Garnets come in different shades of orangey red.
0:39:50 > 0:39:51So, it's a nice
0:39:51 > 0:39:53collection of stones.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56It's set in silver.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58Sadly, not gold or platinum.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00- No.- So it's...
0:40:00 > 0:40:05It's not as precious as it might be, so we can't attach much value to the actual bracelet itself.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08- Have you had it insured?- No.- No.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10No, I didn't think it was worth anything.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14- You didn't think it was worth anything. Did you think it was a bit of costume jewellery?- Yes.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17So, you thought that was worth £10, I suppose.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20- I didn't think it was worth anything at all.- Anything at all!- No.
0:40:20 > 0:40:26- So, it will come as a pleasant surprise to be told that it's worth £100 to £150.- Lovely, yes.
0:40:26 > 0:40:33And I would suggest a discretionary reserve at the bottom end of the estimate.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35- Right.- So, we'll put 100 to 150.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39If we have... Give the auctioneer a little bit of discretion, which means
0:40:39 > 0:40:42basically if he gets bid perhaps £90 and that's the last bid, sell it.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45- Yes.- You're happy with that? - Yes, thank you very much.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Well, we'll see if we can turn it into some serious birthday money.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56Right, Debs, are you ready to tee off?
0:40:56 > 0:40:59I certainly am, and that was a good pun.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02- Well, I had to, really, didn't I?- You did.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04It's by a great factory - Royal Doulton, of course.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08- How long have you had it? - About 30 years now.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12It was given to me by my granddad.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15He had it just stuck away in the cupboard
0:41:15 > 0:41:20and he decided to get rid of some things and asked me if I'd like it.
0:41:20 > 0:41:25So, I didn't want to upset him - it's not really my cup of tea -
0:41:25 > 0:41:28but I accepted it and it's been in the cupboard ever since.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32Well, I think you've been fair to him - you've had it for 30 year.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37- You obviously don't like it. It's quite a masculine thing, golf, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40If we have a look at the Doulton mark underneath,
0:41:40 > 0:41:43we can see the lion surmounting a crown.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46And then the Royal Doulton made in England mark.
0:41:46 > 0:41:52- This would date it to around about 1902 to 1932.- Oh, right.
0:41:52 > 0:41:57What I like about it is that this is from the Royal Doulton series ware,
0:41:57 > 0:42:02which refers to these types of colours - the browns and greens - autumnal colours.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05Normally, you get things like Charles Dickens characters
0:42:05 > 0:42:08or summer flowers and that sort of thing.
0:42:08 > 0:42:15If this jug had been like that, we'd be looking at maybe £30 or £40.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19- Right. - But we've got the golfing collection.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21Not only do we have these lovely figures
0:42:21 > 0:42:25which are playing in 17th-century style costume on the front,
0:42:25 > 0:42:27but if we look at the back of it as well,
0:42:27 > 0:42:32we can see that we've got this lovely little group huddled around playing.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35- I really think it's rather charming. - Yes.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39Having said all that, are we going to get a good price for it,
0:42:39 > 0:42:41or will it just be par for the course? SHE TUTS
0:42:41 > 0:42:43Well, I hope we get a hole in one.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48I'll do the birdies, all right?
0:42:48 > 0:42:54Now, I think we can safely put £100-150 on it,
0:42:54 > 0:42:57put a reserve of 100 - we don't want to sell it for nothing.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01- You know what I mean?- Yeah. - And we can go from there.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04- You happy with that?- Yes.- And who knows, if we get two collectors...
0:43:04 > 0:43:08Golfing still surprises in the saleroom and it might just lift it up a bit.
0:43:08 > 0:43:13- Hope so.- Lovely. Thank you so much for bringing it in. - That's OK, you're welcome
0:43:19 > 0:43:24I've taken a short journey out here to the beautiful, stunning Welsh countryside,
0:43:24 > 0:43:27a place that's inspired artists and poets alike.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31But today I've come to find out how this simple landscape
0:43:31 > 0:43:35could have inspired one local lady to change the face of fashion.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40Laura Ashley and her business-minded husband, Bernard,
0:43:40 > 0:43:45hit the high streets of London with their Welsh-made ladies fashions in the 1970s.
0:43:47 > 0:43:51How would a capital, still swinging from the '60s,
0:43:51 > 0:43:55react to clothes inspired by a rose-tinted view of country life?
0:43:55 > 0:43:58# Sugar and spice and all things nice... #
0:43:58 > 0:44:03The look was wholesome, harking back to Edwardian and Victorian period.
0:44:03 > 0:44:08High collars, lace, ribbon, floral prints and long hems.
0:44:08 > 0:44:14Creative clothes that were pretty, conservative and definitely feminine.
0:44:14 > 0:44:18Amazingly, young ladies all over the country packed away their kinky boots and mini skirts
0:44:18 > 0:44:21and covered themselves up in Laura Ashley designs.
0:44:21 > 0:44:27By the 1970s the Laura Ashley empire had firmly established a place in the world of fashion.
0:44:29 > 0:44:36This young woman tapped into people's desires to escape the urban grind and retreat to the country.
0:44:36 > 0:44:40She offered a range of clothes and homewares inspired by this stunning landscape,
0:44:40 > 0:44:46so why move house when you can create your own country idyll in your urban home?
0:44:46 > 0:44:49And it's all thanks to Laura Ashley.
0:44:49 > 0:44:53I've come to this country retreat to meet a lady who can give me
0:44:53 > 0:44:59an insight into the life of Laura Ashley - biographer Anne Sebba.
0:44:59 > 0:45:03So why was country life in Wales so influential in Laura's life?
0:45:03 > 0:45:10Laura was born in Wales, but luckily so, because her mother knew that Wales was terribly important...
0:45:10 > 0:45:15- Right.- ..and Bessey Mountney took her to this colliery worker's cottage at Dowlais Top
0:45:15 > 0:45:20just outside Merthyr Tydfil and that's where Laura was born in the front room.
0:45:20 > 0:45:24Of course, that didn't remain in Laura's mind because she went back to live in London,
0:45:24 > 0:45:28but she continued to come for holidays to Wales.
0:45:28 > 0:45:31She was put on the train with her sister and the guard looked after them,
0:45:31 > 0:45:36and it was these holidays in Wales that made a really deep impression on Laura.
0:45:36 > 0:45:38So the sorts of things she remembered
0:45:38 > 0:45:43was the way that the women would bring in buckets of water and buckets of coal
0:45:43 > 0:45:47and they'd be constantly blacking the stoop,
0:45:47 > 0:45:51and it was the Victorian attitudes within the house that Laura remembered.
0:45:51 > 0:45:55Laura met and fell for Bernard Ashley and, after a long courtship,
0:45:55 > 0:45:59they were married and set up home in London.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01Laura was determined to be a devoted housewife.
0:46:01 > 0:46:07This meant that any job she undertook could not interrupt her domestic chores.
0:46:08 > 0:46:12Laura, while she was trying to get pregnant, went off in one of her lunch breaks
0:46:12 > 0:46:14to the Victoria & Albert Museum,
0:46:14 > 0:46:20saw a patchwork exhibition with all these wonderful little tiny Victorian prints
0:46:20 > 0:46:24made into a brilliant patchwork quilt and thought, "I want to do this,
0:46:24 > 0:46:30"this is something that I can do at home," went off to try and buy the prints, couldn't find them anywhere,
0:46:30 > 0:46:33so said to Bernard, "Why don't we print them ourselves?"
0:46:33 > 0:46:39And they were restricted to tiny squares because that was all they had room on the kitchen table for
0:46:39 > 0:46:44so the first products they made were table mats, which Laura would hem herself,
0:46:44 > 0:46:50or little square napkins, and Laura herself took them off to John Lewis and she got...
0:46:50 > 0:46:55- I was going to say how did she start to sell them? John Lewis? - Absolutely.- The big break.
0:46:55 > 0:46:59She took the bus one day, she was already pregnant, took the bus to John Lewis,
0:46:59 > 0:47:02was terribly nervous waiting to see the buyer,
0:47:02 > 0:47:06and their first order was almost as much as they could cope with.
0:47:06 > 0:47:10She waited up all night hemming the squares in order to complete a repeat order
0:47:10 > 0:47:13for the buyer at John Lewis, and that's how they got going.
0:47:13 > 0:47:17As production started to grow, so did the Ashley family
0:47:17 > 0:47:21and, with young children in tow, they moved to a bigger premises.
0:47:21 > 0:47:27The countryside was calling so, after a period in Kent, the family and the business headed to Wales,
0:47:27 > 0:47:33settling in the town of Carno and opening a factory in the town's disused railway station.
0:47:33 > 0:47:38What made it different was that the local community was so involved in it.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42Some of them had actually physically helped build the extension.
0:47:42 > 0:47:45They worked on the farm, perhaps, during the day
0:47:45 > 0:47:52and they'd helped him after work to build the extension so they all felt they had a stake in this factory.
0:47:52 > 0:47:58One of the main reasons that Laura really felt a family atmosphere in the factory was so important
0:47:58 > 0:48:03is because she didn't really believe that women who were mothers should have a full-time job.
0:48:03 > 0:48:05So she got round that in a number of ways.
0:48:05 > 0:48:11She would insist that Friday afternoons was free time for all the mothers and they went home.
0:48:11 > 0:48:14Friday afternoon was definitely a time to be with your children.
0:48:14 > 0:48:21As far as she herself was concerned, and by this time she had four children, so Laura got round it
0:48:21 > 0:48:26by saying that actually the factory was Laura Ashley, that is, herself.
0:48:26 > 0:48:27It was an extension of the family.
0:48:27 > 0:48:32- So it was a way of her being able to have a full-time job...- Yes, yes.
0:48:32 > 0:48:35..without contravening this very deep-seated philosophy
0:48:35 > 0:48:38that mothers should not work away from their home.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41She believed that domesticity was absolutely crucial.
0:48:42 > 0:48:47By the mid '60s, Laura was ready to expand fully into the area of fashion design.
0:48:47 > 0:48:51With strong views on how she thought woman wanted to be dressed,
0:48:51 > 0:48:57Laura launched her range of ladies' fashions and her first high street shop in South Kensington, London.
0:48:57 > 0:49:03The floral dresses carrying the label "Made In Wales" flew off the racks.
0:49:03 > 0:49:08- So why were her dresses such a big success?- All sorts of reasons.
0:49:08 > 0:49:10Don't forget we're in the '60s.
0:49:10 > 0:49:16Laura absolutely hated hotpants and miniskirts, she thought they were ghastly
0:49:16 > 0:49:20so she reacted against that to an extent and she genuinely believed
0:49:20 > 0:49:26that for a woman to wear high necks and conceal was actually much sexier
0:49:26 > 0:49:31and that, you know, men liked to imagine what was underneath rather than revealing all...
0:49:31 > 0:49:36- Yes.- So it was time when no country wedding in England
0:49:36 > 0:49:40was complete without a smattering and a sprinkling of Laura Ashley dresses.
0:49:40 > 0:49:46They were very countrified, but also very theatrical and romantic.
0:49:46 > 0:49:53Laura began to travel to Europe and came up with ranges of matching wallpapers, homewares and fabrics.
0:49:53 > 0:49:59Thousands of urban homes became rural retreats without the aid of an interior designer.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02Stores popped up across the UK and Europe, shortly followed
0:50:02 > 0:50:07by flagship stores in San Francisco, Australia and Japan.
0:50:07 > 0:50:10Laura Ashley had truly gone global.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17The company hit troubled times in the 1980s.
0:50:17 > 0:50:22It went public and, with it, that crucial family bond was lost forever.
0:50:22 > 0:50:26And tragically in 1985, shortly after Laura's 60th birthday
0:50:26 > 0:50:32she returned home to Wales, fell down a flight of stairs and was fatally wounded.
0:50:32 > 0:50:37Now, how different the company may have been if Laura had lived on, we will never know,
0:50:37 > 0:50:43but one thing is for sure, the people of Wales, the country that inspired and supported her work,
0:50:43 > 0:50:47will always hold Laura Ashley close to their hearts.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50# ..Amen. #
0:50:54 > 0:50:59Let me remind you who's off to auction and what items they're pinning their hopes on.
0:50:59 > 0:51:03Jean's nautical collection is rich in historical value.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06- It's a history of the world in one album, really.- That's right.
0:51:06 > 0:51:09But will it translate into cash?
0:51:09 > 0:51:14Don has high hopes for the card case. Despite only costing £96,
0:51:14 > 0:51:20he's pushed Mark to a healthy £1,200 to £1,500 estimate.
0:51:20 > 0:51:24Debs inherited a jug from her granddad, but it's not to her taste.
0:51:24 > 0:51:27So, will it go a "fairway" at auction?
0:51:27 > 0:51:31- I hope we get a hole in one.- Ha! - And Bronwyn.
0:51:31 > 0:51:33Celebrating your birthday with a trip to Flog It!
0:51:33 > 0:51:35That's right, yes.
0:51:35 > 0:51:37Will her bracelet bring happy tidings at the auction?
0:51:37 > 0:51:42So, it's back to Cardiff where Ryan is raring to go.
0:51:42 > 0:51:46Next under the hammer is Debbie's Royal Doulton golfing design little jug.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48We're going to get this away,
0:51:48 > 0:51:51cos the golfing side of it will help this shift.
0:51:51 > 0:51:55- I hope so.- They're big collectors, aren't they, Mark? - Very big collectors.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58- Doulton are well known for producing these sort of things.- £100-150.
0:51:58 > 0:52:03It should do that. I hope I've been a bit mean, it should nudge the middle to upper estimate,
0:52:03 > 0:52:05but you just don't know these days.
0:52:05 > 0:52:09- I hope so.- Do you play golf? - No.- No. I've never played.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12Can't hit a stationary ball. I can hit a moving ball, like tennis or football,
0:52:12 > 0:52:15but not a little ball on the floor.
0:52:15 > 0:52:17I can't see the point of it, quite honestly.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20No, I'm sorry, I can't. I tried it once and I didn't like it.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22|I think there'll be a lot of golfers watching.
0:52:22 > 0:52:24"Oh, you don't know what you're on about!",
0:52:24 > 0:52:27but hopefully, the golfers here will be buying this Doulton jug.
0:52:27 > 0:52:28Absolutely.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31Lot 402 is a Royal Doulton jug decorated with a golfer and caddy.
0:52:31 > 0:52:36Lot 402. Numerous commission bids here, put me straight in at £110.
0:52:36 > 0:52:40- Oh, well that's good.- £110. Do I see 120 anywhere?
0:52:40 > 0:52:44At £110, are we all done, then, at the maiden bid of £110?
0:52:44 > 0:52:48- Well, that was short and sweet.- Oh, well.- Straight in, straight out, 110.
0:52:48 > 0:52:51- It's gone, Debs.- It's gone, so I hope it's gone to a good home.
0:52:58 > 0:53:03- Next up, Jean's photograph album of the warships and the medals. - That's right.
0:53:03 > 0:53:05Have you been looking forward to this?
0:53:05 > 0:53:08- I have, very much so. - Got your lucky earrings on...
0:53:08 > 0:53:10- I certainly have! - You told me earlier.- Yes.
0:53:10 > 0:53:13- You put £50 on this, but I'm hoping it'll double that.- It might do.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16- 50 to 100 we'll say.- Yeah.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18You just no longer look at these and...
0:53:18 > 0:53:20No, it's been in the wardrobe.
0:53:20 > 0:53:25- You just might as well get rid of them.- Might as well get rid of them. - Yeah.- Yeah.- Well, look, good luck.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28- I hope so, anyway. - You look so smart. Thank you.
0:53:28 > 0:53:30From the Forest of Dean, look at this!
0:53:30 > 0:53:34A group of World War II medals together with the book,
0:53:34 > 0:53:38the World Cruise Of British Special Service Squadron, lot 150.
0:53:38 > 0:53:39Good luck, Jean. This is it.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42Commission bids. Start me at £50. 50 I have.
0:53:42 > 0:53:46- Oh, straight in!- Oh, yes. - 60. Five. 70. Five. 80.
0:53:46 > 0:53:47Five. 90. Five.
0:53:47 > 0:53:49- 95.- 100. And 10. At 110.
0:53:49 > 0:53:52The gentleman standing at 110.
0:53:52 > 0:53:54Now at £110. Standing at 110. 120.
0:53:54 > 0:53:56130. 140.
0:53:56 > 0:53:58Oh, there's a bit of a fight on for it.
0:53:58 > 0:54:02At £150. The gentleman standing at 150, now. At £150.
0:54:02 > 0:54:05Are we all out in the room at 150?
0:54:05 > 0:54:06- That's more like it. Yes! - I'm pleased.
0:54:06 > 0:54:09- £150.- That's good.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11That's brilliant, isn't it?
0:54:11 > 0:54:12That's good, isn't it?
0:54:12 > 0:54:15- The earrings... The earrings worked! - The earrings did it!- Didn't they?
0:54:20 > 0:54:23We've heard this name on the show before now, Nathaniel Mills.
0:54:23 > 0:54:27He's a Birmingham silversmith, but we haven't seen his maker's mark
0:54:27 > 0:54:29on something so exquisite before as this.
0:54:29 > 0:54:35It's a castle top card case and it belongs to Don, who's right here.
0:54:35 > 0:54:39- Well...- He's getting rather excited because you're not going to own this much longer.
0:54:39 > 0:54:40Well, it's a nice piece.
0:54:40 > 0:54:44We don't mind if it stays here or goes home with me, but...
0:54:44 > 0:54:46This isn't going home with you!
0:54:46 > 0:54:50- Well, we'll see.- This is going to fly out the sale room.
0:54:50 > 0:54:54- You paid how much this?- £96.
0:54:54 > 0:54:59OK. Well, we've got an estimate of £1,200 to £1,500 with a fixed reserve at £1,200
0:54:59 > 0:55:04because you don't want it to go for a penny less because you've been offered 1,000, haven't you?
0:55:04 > 0:55:05That's correct.
0:55:05 > 0:55:07- Lot number 330 is an early Victorian...- Good luck.
0:55:07 > 0:55:11..silver castle top card case by Nathaniel Mills. Lot number 330.
0:55:11 > 0:55:14- Love it, love it, love it. - At £780 I have to start. £780.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17At £780. 800 is there anywhere?
0:55:17 > 0:55:22800. And 20. 850. 880. 900. And 20.
0:55:22 > 0:55:26950. 980. 1,000. And 50.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28- At 1,050. Back with me at 1,050.- Oh!
0:55:28 > 0:55:31- I don't think it's going to sell here.- At 1,050. At £1,050.
0:55:31 > 0:55:35Are we all done, then, at £1,050?
0:55:35 > 0:55:37- It's not going. - No, I don't think it will.
0:55:37 > 0:55:39I shouldn't have opened my big mouth, should I?
0:55:39 > 0:55:42But, I tell you what, you protected it with a reserve of £1,200,
0:55:42 > 0:55:47so whatever I said it's not going to sell if the bidders aren't going to put their hand up.
0:55:47 > 0:55:49- Well...- But I'm pleased.
0:55:49 > 0:55:52Do you know that I'm pleased? Because it is worth more than £1,200.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54- Well...- I don't think the right people were here.
0:55:54 > 0:55:59No, I mean, to be honest, I think on the day we did have a big discussion about this and an ideal estimate
0:55:59 > 0:56:04I think would have been 800 to 1,200. But, you know, if you like it so much, you've got to protect it.
0:56:04 > 0:56:09- Yes.- Well, it's a very pretty piece. - Yes, it is.- Yeah.
0:56:11 > 0:56:13We're only a few lots away.
0:56:13 > 0:56:17Bronwyn's little Sri Lankan multi-gem bracelet.
0:56:17 > 0:56:19So, will we get the top end?
0:56:19 > 0:56:22- Middle end.- Middle.- 125.
0:56:22 > 0:56:23Oh, really! OK!
0:56:25 > 0:56:28Let's find out, OK? Hopefully, we'll get the top end.
0:56:28 > 0:56:32- This is it.- Seven-stone bracelet set with semiprecious stones here.
0:56:32 > 0:56:34£65 I have to start. £65.
0:56:34 > 0:56:36At £65. And 70 is there anywhere?
0:56:36 > 0:56:40At 65. 70. Five. 80. Five.
0:56:40 > 0:56:42- The lady over there's bidding on this.- 100.
0:56:42 > 0:56:45It takes me out at 100. At 110. 120.
0:56:45 > 0:56:47- 130. 140.- Oh!
0:56:47 > 0:56:50150. 160.
0:56:50 > 0:56:53- 170. 180.- Nice.
0:56:53 > 0:56:55- This is more like it!- 200. 210.
0:56:55 > 0:57:00220. 230. 240.
0:57:00 > 0:57:03250. 260.
0:57:03 > 0:57:05- 270. 280.- Oh, they love it.
0:57:05 > 0:57:08290. 300. 310.
0:57:08 > 0:57:11320.
0:57:11 > 0:57:13330. 340.
0:57:13 > 0:57:14- Oh, crumbs!- 350. 360.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17370. 380.
0:57:17 > 0:57:19- And were still going!- 390. 400.
0:57:19 > 0:57:21At £400.
0:57:21 > 0:57:23With the lady at 400 now. At £400.
0:57:23 > 0:57:26- Oh, gosh!- £400.
0:57:26 > 0:57:28Bang, that hammer's gone down.
0:57:28 > 0:57:31- Wonderful.- £400!
0:57:31 > 0:57:33Shoot the valuer!
0:57:33 > 0:57:36Well, I don't know, Charlie, it's a hard thing to put a price on.
0:57:36 > 0:57:39- Yeah, yeah. It was very pretty.- Gosh.
0:57:39 > 0:57:41But I didn't think it was £400 worth.
0:57:41 > 0:57:43No. I thought it was costume jewellery!
0:57:43 > 0:57:45Gosh! There's commission to pay here.
0:57:45 > 0:57:47- Yes.- Deduct that.
0:57:47 > 0:57:52- Yes.- It's around 16%, plus the VAT, that's lots of spending money.
0:57:52 > 0:57:55- It is lovely, isn't it?- Yeah. What are you going to do with it?
0:57:55 > 0:57:58Well, my husband told me to buy some jewellery that I liked!
0:57:58 > 0:58:01- Buy some jewellery you liked!- Yeah.
0:58:07 > 0:58:10Well, that's it. The auction's over. Everybody's gone home.
0:58:10 > 0:58:14You could say our work is now done. And what a cracking day we've had here.
0:58:14 > 0:58:20I hope you've enjoyed today's show. So, until the next time, it's cheerio from Cardiff.
0:58:27 > 0:58:30Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd