0:00:04 > 0:00:11This Lancashire town has been home to lots of famous people and played host to many as well,
0:00:11 > 0:00:16including Mahatma Gandhi and Italian violinist Nicolo Paganini,
0:00:16 > 0:00:20but today it's Flog It's turn. Welcome to Blackburn!
0:00:42 > 0:00:48Home-grown talent includes Russell Harty, Superbike champion Carl Fogarty
0:00:48 > 0:00:55and fashion designer Wayne Hemingway. And a well-known face was Labour's Barbara Castle,
0:00:55 > 0:01:02who was the town's MP for more than 30 years, becoming Baroness Castle of Blackburn in 1990.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08I wonder if we'll find any famous names linked to today's antiques.
0:01:08 > 0:01:15There's only one way to find out - get along to King George's Hall, our venue for today.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21Where I'm joined by Adam Partridge and Michael Baggott,
0:01:21 > 0:01:28who are already rummaging through all the bags and boxes in search of some big names.
0:01:30 > 0:01:36No prizes for guessing where I am, but what does Accrington have in common with New York?
0:01:36 > 0:01:41Well, here's a clue. It involves another famous name.
0:01:41 > 0:01:48In fact, it's a German name associated with our first item, as Michael is about to reveal.
0:01:48 > 0:01:54- Betty...- Yes. - These wonderful, rather in-your-face copper vases!
0:01:54 > 0:02:00- They're not something you'd walk by. - No, they're not. - Are they family things?
0:02:00 > 0:02:04- No, just got them yesterday. - You got them yesterday?- Yes.
0:02:04 > 0:02:10- How did you get them yesterday? - Each Saturday we go shopping in different towns.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15- We got them near Wigan yesterday. - In antique shops...?- A charity shop.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Oh, my word. Charity shops. Still, I say that,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23but charity shops now can be quite expensive.
0:02:23 > 0:02:28Can I ask the rude question, the one everyone's asking at home? How much?
0:02:28 > 0:02:34- £10.- Good grief. They say there are no more bargains, but I think they are out there.
0:02:34 > 0:02:40- We found one yesterday.- I think you did. Well, if they were nothing more than a pair of decorative
0:02:40 > 0:02:46copper and brass vases, £10 is still too little to pay for them,
0:02:46 > 0:02:50but we can see this wonderful Art Nouveau form.
0:02:50 > 0:02:55We've got these sensuous, naturalistic whiplash handles,
0:02:55 > 0:02:57with all these tendrils going off.
0:02:57 > 0:03:03And then we've got, I have to say, a machine-done rather than hand-hammered finish.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06And again the foliate stems,
0:03:06 > 0:03:10the handles are echoed there.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15If we turn them over, we might be lucky. 125.
0:03:15 > 0:03:21- That's the pattern number. And we've got a little ostrich in a diamond. Do you know what that means?- No.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25- No idea.- Not that they were made in Australia!
0:03:27 > 0:03:33- It's an early mark for the WMF factory. The Wurttemberger Metallwaren Fabrik.- Yes.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38So they're German. There were made in about 1900, 1910.
0:03:38 > 0:03:46The only downside is that everybody loves the highly-polished pewter from WMF. It looks like silver.
0:03:46 > 0:03:52The mixed metals, the copper and brass, is not so keenly sought after.
0:03:52 > 0:03:58- Oh.- But when you've only paid £10 for them, you haven't got to worry.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04I think bearing that in mind, I would put these into auction at...
0:04:04 > 0:04:11- £60-£100.- That's lovely. - Let's put a fixed reserve on of £50, so they don't make any less.
0:04:11 > 0:04:17- If they go for that, you've quadrupled your money.- Yes. - That's a good return.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21I think they should do really well. They've got a lot of style.
0:04:21 > 0:04:27- Let's hope on a good day they make £100. - Lovely. Thank you very much.
0:04:36 > 0:04:42- Welcome to Flog It, gentlemen. You're...- Sidney.- And...- Will. - Sidney and Will. Are you related?
0:04:42 > 0:04:45- Yes, we're brothers.- Excellent.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49You've brought in this tea service. A joint inheritance, is it?
0:04:49 > 0:04:53- Yes.- Well, it will be. My mum's still alive.
0:04:53 > 0:05:01I didn't like to jump the gun. But if you're two brothers with a tea service, it must be a family thing.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05- So it's Mum's.- Yes.- OK. And how long has Mum had it?
0:05:05 > 0:05:09- 70 years.- 70 years. How did she get it?
0:05:09 > 0:05:14- She was given it by an aunt. - OK.- On her 16th birthday.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Do you know where the aunt got it from? Have you tried to trace it?
0:05:18 > 0:05:25Well, my mum's told us the story that it was brought as a gift for the family
0:05:25 > 0:05:32by an Irish horse dealer, who came over supplying Liverpool Police with horses.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37- Oh, really?- A gift to the family. - That's a very plausible story.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42It is Irish porcelain. The Belleek factory.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- Yep.- Famous for its translucent qualities.- It is.
0:05:46 > 0:05:52- And that it's easily breakable! I'm not going to demonstrate that... - I hope not!
0:05:53 > 0:05:58But the translucence of it. It's really very fine bone china.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02- And on the bottom here you've got the Belleek mark.- Yep.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07It's the second period black mark. They've evolved through the ages
0:06:07 > 0:06:13and turned from black to green. This is post-1891 because they've added Ireland on.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Without Ireland, it's pre-1891.
0:06:15 > 0:06:22This is your second period, so it's in the collector's bracket for an old piece there.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26- Any idea what it's worth? - Em, well...
0:06:26 > 0:06:31- Possibly 300 plus?- Yeah. I think that may be slightly hopeful.
0:06:31 > 0:06:38- I was thinking £200-£300.- Right. - I think that's probably a realistic starting point.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42- Does that sound all right with you? - Sounds fine, yes.
0:06:42 > 0:06:49I do advise a reserve of 200. I think any less than that and it's probably best to...
0:06:49 > 0:06:54- My mum wouldn't want it to go too cheap.- Don't upset Mum. - Definitely not.
0:06:54 > 0:07:01- Will she do anything specific with the money?- Home improvements. It'll go towards some improvements.
0:07:01 > 0:07:07- Well, it's a lovely shape, lovely design. Let's hope it finds a good home at the auction.- I'm sure.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- Thanks for coming.- Thank you.
0:07:15 > 0:07:21- Don't you just love him? I've got three sisters here. Help me with the names.- Josie.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- Josie.- Susan.- Susan.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- Pauline.- And Pauline. Three in the family or more?
0:07:27 > 0:07:32Five of us altogether. We have another sister and a brother.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37- OK. So all five of you played with this bear at some stage.- Albert.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- He's called Albert?- He is.
0:07:39 > 0:07:44We've started with Albert's good side. He only has one ear.
0:07:44 > 0:07:50We used to ride him as children and we used to use his ears as handlebars, unfortunately.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55- So one fell off. - Somewhere along the line, yes.
0:07:55 > 0:08:03It's a good job this ear is intact. Because that's the ear with the all-important Steiff stud.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- You know it's there.- Yes. - You pointed it out to me.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09It's just inside there.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12Where is it? Just there.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17And that says Steiff on it. That puts the value up. It's the Rolls Royce of teddy bears.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21He's got all the attributes you want of a good Steiff bear.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26Good colour, that cinnamon colour. He's got his hump still.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31He's got his original glass eyes. He's got a great long nose.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35There's one little surprise left. He's still got his growl.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- Yes.- Who wants to pull it for the last time?
0:08:39 > 0:08:42For the last time!
0:08:42 > 0:08:47- BEAR GROWLS - Maybe you'll get a go in the auction room as well.
0:08:47 > 0:08:54Now this is, I would say, 1950s. Would that correlate to when you had it?
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- Somewhere around there?- I think so.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Late '40s maybe? '50s?
0:09:00 > 0:09:04- He was at Grandma's. - It looks it. The wheels on this
0:09:04 > 0:09:11and that H framework look to be typical 1955, somewhere around there.
0:09:11 > 0:09:17- I think we'll put him into auction, if it's OK with you, with a value of £200-£300.- Right.
0:09:17 > 0:09:22- Hopefully, we'll get that top end. - Yes.- Great.- And all the money will be divided up?
0:09:22 > 0:09:27Yes, we'll probably go out and have a nice meal.
0:09:27 > 0:09:34- That would be nice. - I'm feeling sorry for him now. You're off to a new home, mate!
0:09:34 > 0:09:38If I turn him round, do you feel guilty now?
0:09:38 > 0:09:44- Now we've got his bad side. He'll feel grumpy cos he's on camera. - BEAR GROWLS
0:09:51 > 0:09:58Jo, I suppose I should say, "Stand and deliver!" You've brought this along today.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Can I ask what you are doing with such a gruesome weapon as this?
0:10:02 > 0:10:07I found it, after my dad died, in the bottom of his drawer.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Not really sure where he got it from, but it might have been left to him.
0:10:11 > 0:10:16- So down through the family. - Could be. We'd never, ever seen it.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20- It was never put on show. - Any idea when it was made? Where?
0:10:20 > 0:10:26All I know is it's probably an 18th-century officer's pistol.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- That's what I've been told. - Not a bad punt.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33The Pirates of the Caribbean have something similar!
0:10:33 > 0:10:39We all learn from film and television. It's slightly later than that period.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43It's early 19th century. And the reason we can tell
0:10:43 > 0:10:49is sometimes we're lucky and the trigger guard is made of silver with a full set of hallmarks.
0:10:49 > 0:10:56In this case, all the furniture of the trigger guard, escutcheon plate, housing for the ramrod,
0:10:56 > 0:11:01they're all in brass, but all nicely engraved. If we look at that first,
0:11:01 > 0:11:05we've got a little sunburst there. And then we've got trophies.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10We've got the Union Jack and a drum and trophies of war.
0:11:10 > 0:11:15- What's most important, we've got the name HW Mortimer.- Right.
0:11:15 > 0:11:20In terms of early 19th century gunmakers, if we compared it to cars today,
0:11:20 > 0:11:25- Mortimer were the Ferrari...- Ooh! - ..of gunmakers.
0:11:25 > 0:11:30He was working at 89 Fleet Street in London.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33And he was gunsmith to George III.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37So he was pretty much top of the tree.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41This, having said that, isn't one of his best pistols.
0:11:41 > 0:11:47- It's by a very, very good maker, but...- One of the more basic range. - A basic pistol.
0:11:47 > 0:11:53The other thing is it has got quite a lot of faults. We've got quite a bit of corrosion here.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57We've got a few knocks and, most importantly,
0:11:57 > 0:12:03the bit wot holds the flint, that makes it go bang, isn't there any more.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08This is a flint lock pistol that would have fired a flint
0:12:08 > 0:12:14- on that strike plate with igniting powder there.- OK. - Any idea what it's worth?
0:12:14 > 0:12:19- No.- A ten-pound note? Twenty-pound note?- Probably 50.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23- £50.- Because of the heaviness of it. - I've got my wallet... No.
0:12:23 > 0:12:28I think we should certainly put it into auction, with that name,
0:12:28 > 0:12:35- for £200-£300.- Right. OK. - We should put a fixed reserve of £180 on it.- OK.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- And let's hope it stands and delivers at the auction.- Great.
0:12:45 > 0:12:51I think we've found some cracking antiques today. It's time we put our valuations to the test.
0:12:51 > 0:12:57So I have left the valuation day and I've walked, on foot, across the border into Yorkshire
0:12:57 > 0:13:02and we've found ourselves at the Calder Valley Auction Rooms.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06It's an old converted mill house and look - we ARE here today!
0:13:06 > 0:13:11On the rostrum is auctioneer Ian Peace. While I get in position,
0:13:11 > 0:13:17I'll leave you with a quick rundown of all the items going under the hammer.
0:13:17 > 0:13:24Our owners have usually owned their antiques for quite some time, but not Betty's £10 copper vases.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28They're not something you'd walk by. Are they family things?
0:13:28 > 0:13:31No, I just got them yesterday.
0:13:31 > 0:13:37By contrast, brothers William and Sidney's Belleek tea seat has been their mum's for 70 years.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40But now she needs the cash.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44Sisters Susan, Josie and Pauline grew up with their bear, Albert.
0:13:44 > 0:13:51We used to ride him as children and we used to use his ears as handlebars, unfortunately.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- So one fell off. - Somewhere along the line, yes.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58But the vital Steiff tag had survived!
0:13:58 > 0:14:03Another great survivor is this early 19th century pistol belonging to Jo,
0:14:03 > 0:14:07made by another famous name, HW Mortimer.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10If we compared it to cars today,
0:14:10 > 0:14:15- Mortimer were the Ferrari...- Ooh! - ..of gunmakers.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19Let's hope it puts our bidders' wheels in a spin!
0:14:19 > 0:14:23First up today is Betty's charity shop find.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30It's those two lovely WMF vases, the copper ones. They're stunning.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34Michael, you put £100-£200 on these. How much did you get them for?
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- £10.- £10! You see, it IS all out there. In Wigan?
0:14:38 > 0:14:44- Yes. A charity shop.- Do you go there often?- We go to different towns every Saturday.- Do you?
0:14:44 > 0:14:51- To the charity shops?- Yes. - I couldn't get the precise location! - We need the postcode.- We do.
0:14:53 > 0:15:00- Can you make much money from doing that?- Well, we usually buy what we like.- Oh, I see.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- And you keep it.- And keep it.- This is the first thing you're selling.
0:15:04 > 0:15:10- You got this the day before our valuation day.- Yes.- Let's hope we get that £200 top end.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12It's WMF. It's quality.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17A pair of Art Nouveau design beaten copper vases. There we are.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Who'll open me at £50?
0:15:20 > 0:15:2250 I'm bid. At 50.
0:15:22 > 0:15:2555. 60.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27And 5. 70.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30And 5. 80. And 5.
0:15:30 > 0:15:3585. The lady's bid at £85. Have you all done at £85?
0:15:36 > 0:15:41- Sold.- Fantastic. All for a tenner. - Did you polish them up like that?
0:15:41 > 0:15:45- No, Billy did.- You've got to give him £10 for that.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49- They are gleaming. Aren't they?- Stunning.
0:15:49 > 0:15:56Look, congratulations, Betty. There is commission to pay, whether you buy or sell.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01- But I think that's a nice meal out for you and hubby.- That's true.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11I've just been joined by William and Sidney, selling the Belleek.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16It's early and we've got £200-£400 on this. Why are you selling this?
0:16:16 > 0:16:20We've just moved from a large farmhouse to a house half the size.
0:16:20 > 0:16:27- And my mum daren't wash it. - No! You can't wash or clean Belleek! - It's a bit of a liability.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31- So we've decided to let someone else enjoy it.- OK.
0:16:31 > 0:16:36Lot 603. A Belleek porcelain 15-piece tea service.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40Attractive teapots included. Lot 603.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Open this at £100, then. £100.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46At 120. I have 140. 160.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48180. And 200.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52At £200. 10 anywhere? It's going for £200.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56At £200. First and last time.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01It's gone. That was short and sweet. Straight in and straight out.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05- Not a lot of competition, but it's gone.- Someone else can enjoy it.
0:17:05 > 0:17:11- And have the problems cleaning it! - That's what you really mean! Be honest.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16"I want someone else to enjoy it." You just don't want to take it home!
0:17:21 > 0:17:27Now it's my turn to be the expert. We've got two of the three sisters, Josie and Sue.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31Unfortunately, Pauline can't be with us. Couldn't get the day off work.
0:17:31 > 0:17:36But we do have Albert the Bear! And he's looking stunning.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40Oh, dear. This is a sad moment, parting with things like this.
0:17:40 > 0:17:46I wouldn't do it, but I know you've got to split the money up, so poor old Albert goes under the hammer.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Right now.
0:17:48 > 0:17:53Now we have Albert the Bear, the Steiff push along plush bear.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57I'm opening this at £100. At 100. And 10. 120.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00130. 140. At 140. 150.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05160. At £160. 170. At 170. 180.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07190. At 200, do I see?
0:18:07 > 0:18:12At £190. At £190. At £200. At £200.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15210. At £210.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19At the back of the room at 210. Are you all done?
0:18:19 > 0:18:23It's selling at £210. First and last time. ALBERT GROWLS
0:18:23 > 0:18:28Awww! He growled as he went. Oh, brilliant.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Oh, dear. Isn't that lovely?
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Just within estimate. A bit of damage held it back.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40- The ear, the tail. But otherwise...- Great.- He did well.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44- And I'm sure he's gone to a lovely home.- I hope so.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49- Poor old Albert!- I know.- He's off on a new adventure.- Absolutely.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54So, as the battered Rolls Royce of bears trundles off to a new home,
0:18:54 > 0:18:59it's time for the Ferrari of guns to go under Ian's hammer.
0:18:59 > 0:19:05In the firing line right now is Josephine with her sights set on £200-£300 with Dad's old pistol.
0:19:05 > 0:19:12- It's a nice old find, actually. I know Michael loved this. It's by Mortimer, isn't it?- Yes.
0:19:12 > 0:19:19It's by the best maker. A really nice thing. I'm under pressure - if it doesn't go, you have a gun!
0:19:19 > 0:19:25- It stands alone here. Fingers crossed it has been spotted. Good luck.- Thank you.- Here we go.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29Next we have the antique flint lock pistol by HW Mortimer.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34I'll open this at £100. At 110. 120.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36130. 140. 150.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39160. 170. 180. 190.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42200. And 10. 220.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47- 230. 240. 250. - It's the name. A great name.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49280. 290.
0:19:49 > 0:19:54- 300. And 10. 320. - Well done.- £320 here.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58On the phone at £320. Your bid, then. It's selling.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02Great maker. One to look out for.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06You've got a lot of money now. What will you spend that on?
0:20:06 > 0:20:13- I'm at uni, so...- It'll come in handy! What are you studying? - 3D design. Jewellery making.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17- Wonderful. Good luck with the career afterwards.- Thank you very much.
0:20:17 > 0:20:24That's what a great name does for you. Later, Michael's excited by an anonymous hospice donation
0:20:24 > 0:20:28with the great Moorcroft name attached.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31The shame is these star cracks.
0:20:31 > 0:20:38Somebody's used them as a vase, dropped something slightly heavier in and it's just pinged.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42Will this pair ping with the bidders or will the cracks put them off?
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Later we'll find out.
0:20:49 > 0:20:57Remember that puzzle I set you earlier? What does Accrington here have in common with New York?
0:20:57 > 0:21:04It's got something to do with this building - the Howarth Museum and Art Gallery - and an umbrella.
0:21:07 > 0:21:13What I'm talking about is this - Tiffany glass. It's the largest collection outside of New York.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18It's the biggest in Europe, but how did it end up here in Lancashire?
0:21:18 > 0:21:24And what's it got to do with an umbrella? All is about to be revealed by curator Jennifer Rennie.
0:21:24 > 0:21:32- Hello. Thank you for inviting me. - Thank you for coming.- How did this magnificent collection get here?
0:21:32 > 0:21:37It's all down to a young man called Joseph Briggs who was an apprentice designer.
0:21:37 > 0:21:43When aged 17, he went off from Accrington to seek his fortune in America, landed in New York.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Briggs was coming out of Tiffany Studios.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50Coming from Lancashire, he had his umbrella on him, and it was raining.
0:21:50 > 0:21:56Up drew this horse-drawn carriage and out stepped this very well-dressed man of about twice Briggs' age.
0:21:56 > 0:22:02So he was able to step forward and offer his umbrella to this gentleman for shelter.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06And so they got talking and that's this incredible chance meeting.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11- One minute either side, it would never have happened. - It was a complete fluke.
0:22:11 > 0:22:17'So if you're going to share your umbrella with anyone, pick a great man like Louis Comfort Tiffany
0:22:17 > 0:22:21'when he is looking to expand his business and experiment with glass.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26'After this chance meeting, Briggs was given a job by the great man,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29'working in the stained-glass workshops.
0:22:29 > 0:22:35'Briggs already knew how to draw, having been an apprentice designer in the cotton industry,
0:22:35 > 0:22:39'so he used to stay late and make mosaics from bits of leftover glass.
0:22:39 > 0:22:44'This impressed Tiffany and Briggs became head of the mosaic shop
0:22:44 > 0:22:48'and was made a director when Tiffany retired in 1918.'
0:22:48 > 0:22:55- Did Briggs ever come back to Accrington?- Yes, he did. He made one return journey only in 1900.
0:22:55 > 0:23:01He brought his family back and, at this point, the owner of Haworth Art Gallery, Hollins Hill...
0:23:01 > 0:23:05- This house.- Yes. ..William Haworth, an important cotton manufacturer,
0:23:05 > 0:23:11met with Briggs and he at the time was thinking about an art gallery for Accrington
0:23:11 > 0:23:15and I'm sure they discussed the Tiffany coming back to Accrington.
0:23:15 > 0:23:20- Having a collection brought back here, so everybody could enjoy. - Absolutely.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25'Louis Comfort Tiffany was one of the most important and influential American artists
0:23:25 > 0:23:28'of the late 19th and early 20th century.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33'A leader of the Art Nouveau movement, his work is held in high regard.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38'The collection in Accrington consists of tiles, vases, samples and mosaics.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42'The company designs all kinds of objects for the home,
0:23:42 > 0:23:47'but the popular imagination associates Tiffany particularly with their lamps.'
0:23:47 > 0:23:53You've got two beautiful millefiori vases. That's a technique adopted from ancient Venetian glassmakers.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58Yes, Tiffany adopted this technique from Venetian makers.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- The paperweight one?- Yes. He very much made it his own.
0:24:01 > 0:24:07This is the thing that he did that other glassmakers didn't do, the way he used these techniques.
0:24:07 > 0:24:12How do you achieve...? You see on the small vessel, you see the flowers.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15They're in layers of glass.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19- That's correct.- Two different layers. The white one is even deeper.- Yes.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21So how do you get that?
0:24:21 > 0:24:25Well, the glassmaker has started off with some orange glass,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28then he's dotted the surface with white flowers,
0:24:28 > 0:24:32then gone back to the kiln for more orange glass,
0:24:32 > 0:24:36then put more white flowers on, all the time blowing a little bit,
0:24:36 > 0:24:40going back, putting the white flowers on for the second time...
0:24:40 > 0:24:44- You just get one chance at this, don't you?- Absolutely.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46There's only so much control you have
0:24:46 > 0:24:52because the final shape of the flowers depends on the amount of blowing, the amount of air,
0:24:52 > 0:24:56so the ones on the outside are more perfectly formed and are pure white,
0:24:56 > 0:24:59whereas the ones inside are a sort of beige colour,
0:24:59 > 0:25:03- so it's a good demonstration of the technique.- It's a very good example.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07- The larger vessel is the same technique.- Absolutely the same.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11- But it's harder.- You don't get the same amount of layering.
0:25:11 > 0:25:16In both examples, there's only so much control that the glass blower had.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20- That's typical of the Arts and Crafts Movement.- Absolutely.
0:25:20 > 0:25:26The idea that the material should play a part does help people understand very clearly
0:25:26 > 0:25:31what it is that Tiffany did that's so special, why we rate him so much as a glassmaker.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35'Tiffany glass is hard to date.
0:25:35 > 0:25:41'All the research and development was done at the beginning and the designs tended to stay the same.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45'His hand-made pieces have "Favrile" stamped on them.
0:25:45 > 0:25:51'Tiffany patented Favrile glass in 1880 and he derived the word from the French for "hand-crafted".'
0:25:53 > 0:26:00This is a cracking example of Tiffany iridescence. Where did he get the idea for the technique?
0:26:00 > 0:26:04Well, he was inspired by visits to archaeological sites around Rome
0:26:04 > 0:26:08where glass had been buried for thousands of years. It's pitted.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12- It has this iridescent effect. - It goes like that.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17The surface is damaged slightly and you get this lovely, iridescent effect.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21That's the thing that made him want to make glass in the first place.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25- That's a lovely effect with the sort of the lava.- Yeah.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30The idea with this is that the lava is actually coming out of a volcano
0:26:30 > 0:26:35which is a very ambitious idea for what is just a domestic object, and they're very rare.
0:26:35 > 0:26:40We're fortunate to have two very fine examples of lava glass vases here.
0:26:45 > 0:26:51What's special about this vase, apart from the fact that it's just so incredible
0:26:51 > 0:26:54and it does capture the beauty of nature so well?
0:26:54 > 0:27:00It's a flower-form vase. There were quite a lot of them made around 1900
0:27:00 > 0:27:04and this particular one is inspired by the convolvulus flower
0:27:04 > 0:27:08which, as you know, closes at night in the dark and opens in the morning.
0:27:08 > 0:27:14It's marvellous the way that movement is implied in the top of the vase. There's this lovely, irregular...
0:27:14 > 0:27:17- It's quite fluid, isn't it? - It's very fluid.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21It's very reminiscent of the movement that the actual flower makes.
0:27:32 > 0:27:38This is an aquamarine and I'd love you to explain quite simply to me how this is made
0:27:38 > 0:27:41because it looks incredibly complicated.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44The piece is made in three parts.
0:27:44 > 0:27:49There's a central core and round that there's an extra piece of thick glass, like just-roll pastry,
0:27:49 > 0:27:55before you roll it out, and the fish are inserted into that and then arranged around the central core.
0:27:55 > 0:28:01It's at that point you have problems with temperature control and you get explosions.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06It's very, very difficult to make. This was completely unique.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08It's very big for an aquamarine.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12- And incredibly rare, I would imagine.- Very rare indeed.
0:28:12 > 0:28:17One came up in America about three years ago with a slightly longer neck,
0:28:17 > 0:28:22so it's not totally unique any more, sadly, but they're very difficult to make.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26It's just beautiful. I love the little bubbles.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30It's almost as if there's seaweed moving. You can see it in the water.
0:28:30 > 0:28:36Yes, it's very lively. Again it's like nature. It's like you're looking at actual water.
0:28:40 > 0:28:45Jenny, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and your passion with me today.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49- You've taught me something. - Thank you for coming.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52I'll now look at Tiffany glass in a different light.
0:28:52 > 0:28:58This is just hand-blown, molten glass using techniques that have been around for thousands of years,
0:28:58 > 0:29:04but there is a combination to this - sand, lime and soda, fused at high temperatures,
0:29:04 > 0:29:07but in the hands of one genius artisan.
0:29:11 > 0:29:17Back at our valuation day, Adam is in period with Tiffany with another beautiful Art Nouveau item.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21This one is our second find today from Germany.
0:29:24 > 0:29:28- Welcome to Flog It, Michael.- Thank you very much.- I love this mirror.
0:29:28 > 0:29:34- It's an absolute beauty. Where did you get it from?- A dear friend gave it to me about a year ago.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38Why would you want to sell something as nice as this?
0:29:38 > 0:29:44- It's basically just to find out if it's worth anything.- OK. - And then go from there, really.
0:29:44 > 0:29:49I can tell you a bit about it as this is one of my particular areas of interest.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53I nearly said "expertise", but that sounds arrogant.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56This is a piece of Art Nouveau metal ware.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00The Art Nouveau period was the turn of the century, about 100 years ago,
0:30:00 > 0:30:06and this design here is typical stylised designs of the Art Nouveau period.
0:30:06 > 0:30:12- Right.- Now, this one was made by a firm known by the initials of WMF.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16It's a big firm from Germany that was established in the 19th century.
0:30:16 > 0:30:23They made a lot of these wares at the end of the 19th, beginning of the 20th century, in pewter.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25In silver plate as well.
0:30:25 > 0:30:31They also made cutlery. There was a whole metal ware business. They became a massive business.
0:30:31 > 0:30:37- There's a lot of this stuff around on the market and it's quite highly prized.- Right.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41- Have you got any idea what it might be worth?- I haven't got a clue, no.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45- Now what you've said...- You think it's better than 50 quid?- Maybe.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48Yeah, it is better than £50.
0:30:48 > 0:30:53I would put a wide range on it. I think it's going to make £200 to £300.
0:30:53 > 0:30:58I'm going to put 200 to 400 because it could just go on a bit more than £300.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02I've handled a lot of this stuff and sometimes it does pretty well.
0:31:02 > 0:31:07I think that's a sensible guide and you shouldn't sell it for less than £200.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11Even if it doesn't go in this sale, it doesn't mean it's not worth £200.
0:31:11 > 0:31:16It's worth that. We'll put a reserve price on it, so it doesn't go for less.
0:31:16 > 0:31:21- Are you happy with that?- Yes.- Let's get on with it.- No problem.- Thanks.
0:31:27 > 0:31:32Dawn, you've brought in these two very austere vases today.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35Where did you get them from?
0:31:35 > 0:31:40I work for East Lancashire Hospice and we were donated them anonymously.
0:31:40 > 0:31:47Somebody just walked into the hospice one day and left them for us to do what we want with.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50And you thought, "Ah, Flog It is in the area!"
0:31:50 > 0:31:56Yeah, we realised that they were worth perhaps a bit more than the average donation.
0:31:56 > 0:32:01- Right.- And at the same time, we realised Flog It was in the area,
0:32:01 > 0:32:04so it was a good opportunity to see what they were worth.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09Anybody that's watched Flog It might be screaming at the screen what these are,
0:32:09 > 0:32:13but let's satisfy ourselves and turn it upside down.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17There we have the signature - W Moorcroft, designer.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20What's very interesting is this Florian Ware mark.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24- That's fairly early in his production.- OK.
0:32:24 > 0:32:30These are going to date to about 1905, that sort of date?
0:32:30 > 0:32:35So, fairly early on. The shame is that they've got these star cracks on the bottom.
0:32:35 > 0:32:40Basically, somebody has used them as a vase, dropped something slightly heavier in
0:32:40 > 0:32:42and it's just pinged.
0:32:42 > 0:32:47They're Honesty pattern because of all the honesty over it.
0:32:47 > 0:32:53But what's nice is this very porous, vermiculated finish.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56- Yeah.- Which we don't see on much Moorcroft
0:32:56 > 0:33:00and it's a sort of early experimental glaze, if you like.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04They're decorated in the round and the colour scheme is quite pleasing.
0:33:04 > 0:33:09- Do you like the...?- Yeah, it's quite modern.- Yes, quite classic almost,
0:33:09 > 0:33:11the sort of dark and light blue.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14And it's a very pleasing shape.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18So they win, apart from the star cracks, in quite a few areas -
0:33:18 > 0:33:21nice and early, unusual pattern, unusual finish.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- Right, OK. - And also we've got a pair.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27And to the best of my knowledge,
0:33:27 > 0:33:30they haven't been chipped, so they're fairly good.
0:33:30 > 0:33:36The only damage is where you can't see. If you're going to have damage, that's where you want it.
0:33:36 > 0:33:42When they were dropped off and you said they're worth more than the usual charitable donation,
0:33:42 > 0:33:48- did you have any idea what they might be...? - We thought over 100. £100, £150.
0:33:48 > 0:33:54Bearing the damage in mind, but they're a large pair, they're early and they're a rare pattern,
0:33:54 > 0:33:56let's put them into auction
0:33:56 > 0:34:00with £700 to £1,000 on them.
0:34:00 > 0:34:06- Right.- Let's give the auctioneer a bit of discretion with the reserve. Let's put the reserve at £600.
0:34:06 > 0:34:10- Yeah.- If two people really get behind these,
0:34:10 > 0:34:14we could be cracking through the top estimate.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17- So, hopefully...- Excellent.
0:34:17 > 0:34:22- ..for you, for me, today, and for the hospice, we'll do really well.- Absolutely.
0:34:22 > 0:34:27- You're happy with that? - Absolutely fantastic. Really happy.
0:34:27 > 0:34:33- No pressure on the day then(!) - No, absolutely not.- Thank you for bringing them in.- It's been good.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43- Marjory, welcome to Flog It.- Hello. - How are you?- Fine, thank you.
0:34:43 > 0:34:49You've got a lovely pair of watercolours here by a well-known artist called Rowland Hill.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53- Where did you get them and what can you tell me about them?- Not much.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55They belonged to my grandmother.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59And they were always on the wall in the living room.
0:34:59 > 0:35:04- You remember them then?- Yes. I don't know how she got them.
0:35:04 > 0:35:10- When you're a child, you don't ask the right questions and then it's too late.- Isn't that always the case?
0:35:10 > 0:35:16Lots of people agree with that. So many people you meet, "I wish I'd have asked Grandma this."
0:35:16 > 0:35:20- That's right.- Then it's too late and the history's gone.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23Rowland Hill - do you know anything about him?
0:35:23 > 0:35:28That he was Irish and that he was successful in France, rather than here.
0:35:28 > 0:35:33- OK.- I just went into the reference library in Blackburn and looked him up.- Good.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36Rowland Hill was born in 1873
0:35:36 > 0:35:39and died in 1952,
0:35:39 > 0:35:42so these were sort of later in life perhaps.
0:35:42 > 0:35:47- What's that one there? County Antrim, is that Murlough Bay?- That's it.
0:35:47 > 0:35:52Then down here we've got Fair Head in Ballycastle.
0:35:52 > 0:35:57A very pleasant pair of coastal scenes, both 1936.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59And both in pretty good order.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03I think we've got a little bit of fading on there
0:36:03 > 0:36:07and a little bit of damp, but he's quite a desirable artist.
0:36:07 > 0:36:13He appears at auction quite regularly, which makes them quite an easy thing to value
0:36:13 > 0:36:18- because it's all about comparing with what they've made before.- Yes.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22I think I would say they're probably worth £200 or £300 each,
0:36:22 > 0:36:26so I will put £400 to £600 as an estimate on the pair
0:36:26 > 0:36:31and they might make a bit more than that. How does that feel to you?
0:36:31 > 0:36:36- A very pleasant surprise. - Did you not think they were worth as much as that?- No.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40I think that if they don't make £400, you should have them back,
0:36:40 > 0:36:45so we'll put a reserve of £400 because I really think they're worth that
0:36:45 > 0:36:51and I'm hoping we get a nice little surprise for you and they make a little bit more.
0:36:51 > 0:36:56- Thank you for bringing them in and I'll see you at the auction. - Yes. Thank you.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59It's time for our second visit to the auction room.
0:36:59 > 0:37:06As well as Marjory's beautiful Rowland Hill seascapes, we're taking Dawn's two donated Moorcroft vases.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10She thought they might be worth between £100 and £150.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14Let's put them into auction
0:37:14 > 0:37:18with...£700 to £1,000 on them.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20Right.
0:37:20 > 0:37:25And last but not least, Michael's stylish WMF Art Nouveau mirror.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29Which item is your money on to bring in the biggest return?
0:37:29 > 0:37:34It's time to take these pieces across the great divide - the Lancashire-Yorkshire one,
0:37:34 > 0:37:38and head back to Calder Valley Auctioneers near Halifax.
0:37:41 > 0:37:47I've just been joined by Michael and Adam, our expert, and we've got a WMF mirror going under the hammer.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51- It's got the look, the name, the condition. Ready for this?- I am.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55We can't debate about it any more. It's down to this packed saleroom.
0:37:55 > 0:38:00Hopefully, someone's going to put their hand up and it will go for £400 maybe.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Good luck, Michael. Here we go.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06Lot 440, the Art Nouveau, WMF,
0:38:06 > 0:38:09oval frame mirror there being shown.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12150, I'm opening. 160. 170.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16180. 190 there. At 200 on commission.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19210. 220. 230.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21240. 250. 260.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24- 270...- This is more like it. - 280. 290.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27300. 310. 320.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29330. 340.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33No? At 340, fourth row. At £340.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35We're selling...
0:38:35 > 0:38:40- Brilliant. We're happy with that. - Yeah.- Well done. £340!
0:38:40 > 0:38:45- That's brilliant.- That's very good. Thank you for bringing that in.
0:38:45 > 0:38:51'And now something for all you fine art lovers - Marjory's Rowland Hill watercolours of the Irish Sea.'
0:38:53 > 0:38:57Our expert put £400 to £600 on this. Why are you selling these?
0:38:57 > 0:39:01These should be on your wall at home in the sitting room.
0:39:01 > 0:39:07They were, but we've moved from a family-sized home to a tiny bungalow and there isn't space.
0:39:07 > 0:39:12I think they'll go to a new home round here. They're going under the hammer now.
0:39:12 > 0:39:17Right, Rowland Hill, the two Irish watercolours there.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20What am I bid on these?
0:39:20 > 0:39:22£200 anywhere? £200.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26220. 240. 260.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- At 280.- They're struggling. That's unbelievable.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32£300. All done at £300? At 300.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Are you all done, ladies and gentlemen, at 300?
0:39:36 > 0:39:41I'm so sorry. At least you protected them with a reserve.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45Maybe it's worth getting in touch with a few auction rooms in Ireland.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49- Send them some images and see if they want to take them in.- Right.
0:39:49 > 0:39:55- At least they've not been undersold. - Exactly. Thank you, Marjory. I'm ever so sorry.- Thank you very much.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59'I can't believe those Rowland Hill watercolours didn't sell
0:39:59 > 0:40:06'and now everyone's rather nervous about our last lot, namely Dawn's donated pair of vases.
0:40:06 > 0:40:13'Although cracked, they are quality items and are inscribed with one of the best names in the business.'
0:40:13 > 0:40:16It's Moorcroft. It's a pair of vases. They belong to Dawn.
0:40:16 > 0:40:23We've got a valuation of £700 to £1,000 and they're Macintyre period, so they're early 1900s.
0:40:23 > 0:40:28That's what the collectors love. All the money's going to charity. Give the charity a plug.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32It's East Lancashire Hospice based in Blackburn
0:40:32 > 0:40:36and it provides palliative care for Blackburn, Darwen and Ribble Valley.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40- Fantastic. We need top money for this.- We've got to do really well.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42- But it's the name, isn't it?- Yes.
0:40:42 > 0:40:48It's a name that we know and love. We know Moorcroft and we know that size with Moorcroft matters.
0:40:48 > 0:40:53If it's a miniature, it's a lot of money, if it's big, it's a lot of money
0:40:53 > 0:40:59and it's a wonderful, big pair of vases with an unusual pattern, so it's got everything.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03It's got a star crack in the base, but we'll say that in a quiet voice,
0:41:03 > 0:41:05so the £600 reserve reflects that.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08And hopefully, people will judge for themselves.
0:41:08 > 0:41:14We've seen it before. We've been cagey with our pricing and we've seen Moorcroft go through the roof.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16Let's hope it happens today.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20A fine pair of early 20th century,
0:41:20 > 0:41:24Macintyre Moorcroft vases. The Honesty pattern there.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Lovely looking. What am I bid for these?
0:41:27 > 0:41:30Do I see £400 to open? 400 I have.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32£400. At £400. At 425.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36425, 450. 475.
0:41:36 > 0:41:38I have 475. 500. And 25.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41550. At 550. 575.
0:41:41 > 0:41:46At 575. At 600. At £600. Any further bids?
0:41:46 > 0:41:48625. 650.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52675. 700. And 25.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54750. 775. 800.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57And 25. 850.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00850... 875, a fresh bid.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03900. And 25.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06950. 975. 1,000.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- We've done 1,000.- 1,025. 1,050.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13And 75. 1,100. And 25.
0:42:13 > 0:42:161,150. 1,175.
0:42:16 > 0:42:171,200. And 25.
0:42:17 > 0:42:201,250. 1,275.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24- 1,300.- Wow!- And 25. - Don't you love these moments?
0:42:24 > 0:42:271,375. 1,400. And 25.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30At 1,425, central back.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33At £1,425. Are we all done?
0:42:33 > 0:42:371,425 at the back there...
0:42:38 > 0:42:42- £1,425! Congratulations. - Thank you very much.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45All that money is going to the hospice. How do you feel?
0:42:45 > 0:42:51- That's really good news. - What's going through your mind? - I can go back to work safely.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Walk in tall and go, "Yes, I've done it!"
0:42:54 > 0:43:00Michael whispered in my ear. I said, "What do you think it'll do?" We didn't want to build your hopes up.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03- Guess what he said?- 1,400.
0:43:03 > 0:43:08- Well done. Well done, Michael. - I'm so pleased for you. - Thank you very much.
0:43:08 > 0:43:13If you do put these things in attractively, people get excited
0:43:13 > 0:43:15and it's a good result at the end.
0:43:15 > 0:43:21What a fabulous day we've had in the Calder Valley! Dawn, you're going back to your hospice a proud lady.
0:43:21 > 0:43:27- Give us a plug one more time.- East Lancashire Hospice in Blackburn. - Michael, thank you so much.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30I hope you've enjoyed today's show.
0:43:30 > 0:43:34There'll be plenty more surprises in the future. Keep watching. Cheerio.
0:43:50 > 0:43:54Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2010
0:43:54 > 0:43:57Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk