0:00:02 > 0:00:08Today we're in Northern Ireland, just a few miles in from the dramatic coastline of County Antrim.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13We're here to enjoy the magnificent scenery and the antiques.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42Talking of beautiful scenery, we've all heard of the Giant's Causeway,
0:00:42 > 0:00:48but it's amazing to think that when it was first discovered in the late 17th century, there was a split
0:00:48 > 0:00:53over whether it was created by man, nature or a big giant!
0:00:53 > 0:00:58There's no disputing it is a stunning, beautiful sight.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Later, I'll explore the myths and the facts.
0:01:07 > 0:01:13So many people have arrived today that we've filled up Lissanoure Castle's barn.
0:01:13 > 0:01:20We have a giant-sized task on our hands. Hundreds of people have been waiting patiently
0:01:20 > 0:01:23so let's get started.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29The first thing I have to do is introduce you to our experts.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33We have Catherine Southon, who started in galleries
0:01:33 > 0:01:38but moved on to a speciality in scientific and maritime objects.
0:01:38 > 0:01:44And joining her we have Will Axon, an auctioneer and valuer in Yorkshire and Rutland.
0:01:44 > 0:01:50Will is a bit of a hoarder, but judging by what's come in, I don't think he's alone!
0:01:50 > 0:01:55Coming up on today's show: I find an eye-popping treasure.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57My eyes went boom when I saw this!
0:01:57 > 0:02:02- So does Catherine.- It's one of the best pieces I've seen on Flog It.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04And I find a piece of magic.
0:02:04 > 0:02:10Legend has it that if you wriggle three times while sitting in this chair
0:02:10 > 0:02:13and make a wish, it'll come true.
0:02:13 > 0:02:19Lissanoure Castle's barn in County Antrim is filling up and I think it'll take us a while
0:02:19 > 0:02:21to get through everyone.
0:02:21 > 0:02:27Catherine Southon is our first expert to the tables. Let's take a look at what she's spotted.
0:02:27 > 0:02:33Peter, it's lovely to see a nice early piece of silver here. Do you know much about this?
0:02:33 > 0:02:39I got it at a house clearance in County Sligo about 13 years ago.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Including commission it was £146.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45OK, so what drew you to this?
0:02:45 > 0:02:49- It was just very attractive. I liked the raised work on it.- Yeah.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54It is very nice. I'll tell you something rather interesting.
0:02:54 > 0:03:01If you turn this over, you can see it's quite early, 18th century, the little cup here.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05We can see here that it's made in Newcastle.
0:03:05 > 0:03:12There's the Newcastle marker. And the date letter there tells us it's 1760.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17When you look at silver of this period, a lot of cups were plain.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21This decoration here was done much later.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25What actually drew you to this, the decoration over here,
0:03:25 > 0:03:29is something much later, probably Victorian in date.
0:03:29 > 0:03:36We'd usually be looking at quite a plain cup for 18th-century silver.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41What I like is we've got initials here, the maker's initials.
0:03:41 > 0:03:48That's John Langland. It's really nice to identify it and know who it is made by.
0:03:48 > 0:03:54- And it hasn't been polished away! - Absolutely. The marks are nice and crisp, which is wonderful.
0:03:54 > 0:04:00You were attracted by the decoration. Do you have it on display in a cabinet?
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Not in a cabinet, on a table.
0:04:03 > 0:04:09- Right.- My wife collects perfume bottles.- Oh, lovely.- It's among those. Some have silver tops.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- It probably complemented them nicely.- Yeah.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17- You say you paid £146 for it.- Yes. - You'd like to see a little return.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21- Why are you selling it? - I need the money!
0:04:21 > 0:04:28Fair enough. Need I say more? I think today you could easily get £200-£250 on that.
0:04:28 > 0:04:35- How does that sound?- OK. - Perhaps we should put a reserve on of £180?- Yes, that'll be fine.
0:04:35 > 0:04:43- And we'll take it to auction.- Yes. - The only thing letting it down is the Victorian decoration.
0:04:43 > 0:04:49- Which drew me to it!- That's unusual. It's something you picked up on.
0:04:49 > 0:04:55If this didn't have the decoration, you'd probably be looking more at £300, £350, something like that.
0:04:55 > 0:05:02But hopefully more people at the auction will have the same idea and they'll like this decoration.
0:05:02 > 0:05:09- I hope it does well for you. - Thank you.- And let's hope it gets you a little bit of a profit.
0:05:10 > 0:05:18That's a quality item to start the show and now we go from silver to a bit of gold with Will and Ian.
0:05:20 > 0:05:26Ian, thanks for coming today. I could see you in your waistcoat with this in your watch pocket.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31- Does this watch ever see the light of day?- No, I've never used it.
0:05:31 > 0:05:38- It doesn't see the light of day at all.- It lives in a drawer? - This is a very rare outing for it.
0:05:38 > 0:05:44- Is it something you inherited? You wouldn't buy something you didn't use.- It's been inherited.
0:05:44 > 0:05:51- It was my grandfather's. - Those were the days when they really did use the old pocketwatch.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55A well-to-do grandfather. He's got a gold-cased pocketwatch.
0:05:55 > 0:06:02Not very good for telling the time when you can't see the dial. Do you know what we call these?
0:06:02 > 0:06:08- Em, the hunter?- You're right. The full hunter. You've got that and the half hunter.
0:06:08 > 0:06:14- Half hunters have the small, glazed aperture on the middle so you can still see the hands.- OK.
0:06:14 > 0:06:20The full hunter is as we have here. Two hinged covers on each side to stop the glass getting broken
0:06:20 > 0:06:23when you're out hunting.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27We can see a good, nice, clean dial which is what we like.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32Crisp, clear numbers. No real damage on that enamel dial.
0:06:32 > 0:06:38Once they're damaged, they're very difficult to fix. And the maker is Waltham, USA.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42Waltham are an American manufacturer of clocks.
0:06:42 > 0:06:49They produced a wide range of clocks and watches. I noticed on the back of the case you've got the mark
0:06:49 > 0:06:52saying it's a Dennison case.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57So the movement's American, then it was put in a gold case in this country,
0:06:57 > 0:07:03hence the English hallmarks. Value-wise, the fact that it is gold-case comes into it.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07Say I say it's worth £100, £150, what do you think?
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- Yeah! Sounds all right. - Sounds all right?- Yeah.
0:07:11 > 0:07:16I think we should put it in at that level. If we say £100-£150,
0:07:16 > 0:07:20I'm hoping for 150 or a bit more, just for the weight of gold in it.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24Let's reserve it at that £100. It's daft to let it go for less.
0:07:24 > 0:07:30And hopefully you'll get 150 or more. What will you do with it?
0:07:30 > 0:07:35- I'm sure my wife's already decided! - Oh, dear. It's like that, is it?
0:07:35 > 0:07:40- Well, go home and tell her I said it was worth 20 quid.- Good idea!
0:07:40 > 0:07:45Nice plan there, Will. Let's hope it does make more than £20.
0:07:45 > 0:07:51I've come outside for fresh air and to leave the hustle and bustle behind
0:07:51 > 0:07:56to meet up here with Margaret, who showed me this cup and saucer
0:07:56 > 0:08:00with this little tower on it. Guess what we're standing under.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03We're right here, Margaret!
0:08:03 > 0:08:05What's the story behind this?
0:08:05 > 0:08:13Well, I thought it would be nice to bring it in here because my husband's grandfather worked here.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15It probably was a gift.
0:08:15 > 0:08:22- So what did he do here? - He was a gardener.- Oh, wonderful. Just look at the landscape here.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- This has lots of memories for you, this place.- Yes.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30I know you're not going to sell. It's not money you're interested in.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35- No.- It's the sentimental value. Know what? I think you're right.
0:08:35 > 0:08:41- Should we go inside and have a cup of tea?- Yes.- We'll have a proper cup of tea, not out of this one!
0:08:41 > 0:08:45- It's too precious. - Yes, lovely.
0:08:47 > 0:08:54So back inside it looks like Christine has brought in something right up Catherine's street.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59As soon as I saw this name Betts, I pounced on you in the queue!
0:08:59 > 0:09:01It's fantastic.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05Betts is known for making portable globes.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10That's exactly what this is. I'll let you open this up.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14I find if you press it down at this end, it's easier.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16I can't push it up.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18There we go.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24What a spectacular piece. Also known as the umbrella globe.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29Obviously you can appreciate these are very fragile and often get torn.
0:09:29 > 0:09:36- This looks to be in immaculate condition.- It's very rarely opened. It's kept in the box at home.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41That's another thing. To have its original tube is something you don't hear of.
0:09:41 > 0:09:48- Where did you get it?- My mother and father had it in Scotland when they went to auctions in Ayr.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- I inherited it. - They clearly had a fantastic eye.
0:09:52 > 0:09:59This is one of the best pieces I've ever seen on Flog It. It's wonderful as I'm passionate about globes.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03I'm so interested in it. On here is the cartouche.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08We've got the name Betts. "Betts's Portable Terrestrial Globe.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11"Compiled from the latest and best authorities."
0:10:11 > 0:10:15Betts produced these globes for quite a period.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19This one probably dates to early 20th century.
0:10:19 > 0:10:24Someone has written in pencil there "pre-war". Was that your dad?
0:10:24 > 0:10:26I don't know. Could have been.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31- It's not something you're interested in?- It doesn't get looked at
0:10:31 > 0:10:36and I'd rather somebody else could enjoy it. I thought it had belonged to a school.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41Or perhaps a gentleman travelling on a ship around the world.
0:10:41 > 0:10:49As a travelling instrument, it's something he could get out and perhaps track his journey.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- Do you have any idea of price on it? - Not really, no.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57I would like to say that we could easily get £400-£500.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02I think perhaps we should put a reserve on of about 350.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07- OK.- But I think maybe £400-£500 at auction.
0:11:07 > 0:11:15- It's a superb piece and any day that should make £350 at least.- That's great.
0:11:15 > 0:11:20- Are you sad to see it go? - Yes, I am sad in a way but my dad would be so pleased
0:11:20 > 0:11:23that other people were interested.
0:11:23 > 0:11:29- And I'm sure it'll go to a good home.- Yes.- A lot of people will get excited.- Hope so!
0:11:29 > 0:11:35- I'm excited, anyway! Let's hope it makes top end. Thank you, Christine.- Thank you.
0:11:35 > 0:11:41There's certainly enthusiasm a-plenty for the globe. We'll see how it does a little later.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45That's enough items now to take off to auction.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49So we're selling Peter's decorative silver cup.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Ian's nine-carat gold pocketwatch
0:11:53 > 0:11:57And Christine's antique pop-up globe.
0:11:58 > 0:12:05Let's see what the market's like at McAfee Auctions in nearby Ballycastle.
0:12:05 > 0:12:11This is what I like to see - a jam-packed auction room. I hope they bid on our lots.
0:12:11 > 0:12:17Before the sale started, I had a quick word with today's auctioneer Gerry
0:12:17 > 0:12:19and this is what he said.
0:12:19 > 0:12:25Catherine fell in love with this and we've got a value of £400-£500.
0:12:25 > 0:12:31Now my gut feeling is it's worth every penny of that,
0:12:31 > 0:12:37but to get to that figure, I personally would pitch this at £200-£300.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41It's a lovely thing and great to have the cover.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44I haven't sold one before, so I'm somewhat blind.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47I think it's punchy at £400-£500.
0:12:47 > 0:12:54- It may do OK. There have been inquiries.- Good.- One English call. Not sure if they'll be on the phone.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56But I'm not overly hopeful.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01- It's a cracking thing.- Lovely. - The condition is superb.
0:13:01 > 0:13:07I think because of its rarity and its condition, it should go.
0:13:07 > 0:13:12Fingers crossed, it might get away, but just a wee bit cautious.
0:13:12 > 0:13:20Hopefully we'll find some worldwide bidders here, Gerry, and this could just go out of orbit. Keep watching.
0:13:20 > 0:13:27Well, I've got high hopes for it, but there's only one way to find out. It's first under the hammer.
0:13:28 > 0:13:33We're looking at £400-£500, with its original case. Beautiful.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36We've got a reserve of £350.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40- It's one of the nicest things I've seen.- I'm sorry to see it go.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44It was my dad's and I'm sorry he wasn't here to share this today.
0:13:44 > 0:13:51- He would have loved it.- Let's hope the people recognise the quality and want to own this.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53It's a rare gem.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57Lot 440 is the Betts patent portable globe.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59In excellent condition.
0:13:59 > 0:14:05- And it has its original tube. - Come on.- Also in that condition.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07£400 for it?
0:14:07 > 0:14:10350?
0:14:10 > 0:14:14Starting me at £200. £200 now for the portable globe.
0:14:14 > 0:14:21- At £200 for the portable globe. - Oh, come on. This is such a fantastic piece.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23At £200, the portable globe now. At £200.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27£200. 220. 240.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Portable globe at 240. 260.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32At 260. 280. At 280 now.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35At 280.
0:14:36 > 0:14:41You've got £300. The portable globe now at £300.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43320. At 320.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45At £320.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- 330.- One bid away.- At 330.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50At 330 for the portable globe.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Last call before we leave it.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58At £330. Sorry, I'll have to leave that. The owner hoped for more.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03It was close. We were literally one bid away. If he'd used discretion
0:15:03 > 0:15:06at 340 or so. We'd a fixed reserve at 350.
0:15:06 > 0:15:13- But I really didn't want to sell it for nothing because it is a really fine, fine piece.- Yes.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- And such sentimental value as well. - Maybe it's meant to be.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- And you've to hang on to it.- Yeah.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25Well, that's a shame, but Christine does seem happy to keep it for now.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27Next up is the gold pocketwatch.
0:15:27 > 0:15:34A favourite of mine, but owner Ian couldn't make it to the auction, so it's just Will and me.
0:15:35 > 0:15:40- I like this. I like this a lot. Watches are good value.- Exactly.
0:15:40 > 0:15:46Certainly when they're gold-case, they've got value in the case. I'm sure someone will fancy it.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50A dressy thing. Let's find out what the bidders think.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Lot number 620 is the gold gent's hunter pocketwatch.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57Waltham of USA. An American watch.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01Perfect working order. What do we get for that?
0:16:01 > 0:16:05150 for it? 150? 130?
0:16:05 > 0:16:07- Come on, come on.- 120?
0:16:07 > 0:16:10£100? £100 for it?
0:16:10 > 0:16:14£60 bid. £70 here. £80 here.
0:16:14 > 0:16:20- £90 here.- Creeping up. - £100. 110. 120.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23130. 140.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27140 beside me. A lovely pocketwatch there.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31£140. At 150. New one in at 150.
0:16:31 > 0:16:32160.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36160. 170. Beside me at £180.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41I am selling it now at 180. All out and selling at £180.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46- 180, yes!- Pleased with that. - That's a very good result.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- We'll have to tell Ian now. - Give him the good news.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55Above estimate. That's a good result. Now Peter's silver cup.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02- Why are you selling it, Peter? - I really don't know!
0:17:03 > 0:17:09- Have you thought about it? - I thought I might be able to use the money for something else.- OK.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13Hopefully we'll get £200-£250. That's what Catherine's hoping for.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- Fingers crossed.- Thanks.- This is it.
0:17:16 > 0:17:21Now we have a very good silver tankard.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Newcastle, 1760.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Fantastic silver tankard. 250 for it?
0:17:27 > 0:17:33A couple of hundred pounds for it? A very good silver tankard.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Newcastle, 1760. An early one.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40£100 to start me. At £100. £100 beside me now.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42At 100. And 10.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- 120. 130. 140. - (Come on.)- 150.
0:17:46 > 0:17:52160. 170. 180. Beside me now at 180.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56The tankard now at 180. At 180 beside me. 180.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00We'd like slightly more now. Bidding's at 180.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05The bid's beside me at £180. Selling at 180.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09- 180.- That's the reserve.- Right on the reserve. Well, we did it.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12- We did it. Just.- Just.- Just.
0:18:12 > 0:18:18- That was close. It was exciting. Up and up and up. It just stopped and that's it. OK?- Yeah.
0:18:18 > 0:18:24- We did our best. It's gone and it's sold.- Thank you, Peter.- Thank you. - Thank you very much.
0:18:24 > 0:18:30Someone got a good deal for such a decorative piece, but at least it made the reserve.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35So far, so good. You've just seen our first few lots going.
0:18:35 > 0:18:42We are coming back here later, so don't go away. There's going to be one or two big surprises.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47While we're filming in the area, I took the opportunity to explore
0:18:47 > 0:18:51one of the most dramatic coastlines in the world. Look at this.
0:18:59 > 0:19:05County Antrim in Northern Ireland, home to one of the most dramatic and luscious coastlines in the world,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08known as the Causeway Coast.
0:19:10 > 0:19:16It's here at the top of the cliff that I start my journey to see the wonder of the Giant's Causeway.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20It's a World Heritage Site, visited by half a million people a year.
0:19:20 > 0:19:26It's the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland, but was it created by nature or legend?
0:19:26 > 0:19:29That's what I'm here to find out.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35The discovery of the causeway was reported to the wider world in 1694.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40Such a dramatic sight of the rock columns jutting into the sea caused much discussion
0:19:40 > 0:19:46as to whether it had been created by nature, man or a local giant.
0:19:48 > 0:19:55It gained notoriety as word spread and after an artist, Susanna Drury, painted it in watercolours.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59The causeway soon became a tourist attraction.
0:19:59 > 0:20:04Commercial opportunities opened up for many people. All along the path,
0:20:04 > 0:20:10there were stalls selling home-made souvenirs and refreshments for all the travellers.
0:20:10 > 0:20:16One lady even set up her little shop by a well, selling the water but with free whiskey,
0:20:16 > 0:20:21using a loophole in the law to get away without charging for alcohol.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30So what did they come to see? Well, looking at the Grand Causeway,
0:20:30 > 0:20:38a spectacular sight, a series of basalt columns, some 40,000 of them.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41It really is quite breathtaking.
0:20:45 > 0:20:52The majority of the columns are hexagonal in shape, but there are many 5, 7 and 8-sided versions.
0:20:52 > 0:20:59It's so understandable to see why many people thought that this could have been created by ancient workers
0:20:59 > 0:21:03in a brick-like fashion. Or single-handedly by one giant.
0:21:03 > 0:21:09But the legend of the giant allegedly responsible for the creation of it
0:21:09 > 0:21:13is a story in itself, so we'd better start there.
0:21:13 > 0:21:19The legend begins many years ago when Finn McCool and his warriors heard that a giant,
0:21:19 > 0:21:23Benandonner, from Scotland, was up for a fight.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27Finn and his rivals started throwing rocks at each other in the sea,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30creating the causeway we see today!
0:21:30 > 0:21:36When the Scottish giant arrived, Finn ran to his wife to seek some advice.
0:21:36 > 0:21:41She suggested that he dressed as a baby and lay in the cradle
0:21:41 > 0:21:48so when Benandonner saw the size of Finn's baby, he thought his dad must be absolutely massive.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53So he beat a hasty retreat back to Scotland, tearing up the causeway.
0:21:57 > 0:22:04There are many versions of this legend and many other stories featuring Finn McCool.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08He remains today an important figure in history.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12But if we're talking giants, how big are we talking?
0:22:12 > 0:22:18This rock is reputedly the giant's boot, kicked off by Finn or Benandonner when he ran home.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23Apparently, it works out at a size 93.5.
0:22:23 > 0:22:29Compare that to my size 9.5 and you get an idea of just how huge he was.
0:22:30 > 0:22:37And there is a lot of other evidence littered throughout the coast supporting the McCool legend.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40In the first bay, we see Finn's trusty steed,
0:22:40 > 0:22:44a camel so tired from his journey that he's still sitting.
0:22:44 > 0:22:50And over on the far bay are the chimneys of his house and his organ,
0:22:50 > 0:22:54but another bit of magic has captured my imagination.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57I've perched in this natural seat, the Wishing Chair.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01It's right in the middle of the causeway.
0:23:01 > 0:23:07Legend has it that if you wriggle three times while sitting in this chair, and make a wish,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10it's bound to come true. So let's give it a go.
0:23:10 > 0:23:17There we are. I'm not going to tell you what I wished for, but this chair is jolly comfortable.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22In fact, it's so well worn, it's perfect.
0:23:22 > 0:23:28But I can't come here today and not talk about the likelihood that the causeway was, in fact,
0:23:28 > 0:23:36a natural geological event. Volcanic movement millions of years ago forced lava above ground
0:23:36 > 0:23:40and when it cooled down it shrank and cracked to form this pattern.
0:23:40 > 0:23:47I can see why many people thought this was man-made. These columns seem to float out of the ground
0:23:47 > 0:23:51and appear regular in shape and size and in brick-like fashion.
0:23:51 > 0:23:56Just look at that. But there are other causeways around the world,
0:23:56 > 0:24:00including one in Staffa, home to the Scottish giant Benandonner,
0:24:00 > 0:24:04thus perpetuating the myth of the causeway.
0:24:12 > 0:24:18Whatever the reasons behind the Giant's Causeway, whichever you choose to believe,
0:24:18 > 0:24:23this has to be one of the most dramatic sights in the world
0:24:23 > 0:24:29and, for me, this part of the causeway is like taking a walk with the ancient Irish spirits.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33There's a unique combination of majesty and sheer beauty.
0:24:38 > 0:24:44Our valuation day is at Lissanoure Castle in County Antrim and there's plenty more to explore.
0:24:44 > 0:24:49Coming up: it's a large bird that catches my attentions.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53The biggest I have seen if it is what I think it is.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Will turns make-up artist...
0:24:55 > 0:25:00Do you not powder your nose with it or sit it on a dressing table?
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Catherine's instincts kick in.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06I love this platinum and diamond combination.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10And there's a mystery behind a pair of candelabras.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14How does glass from mid-Europe come to be in Northern Ireland?
0:25:15 > 0:25:21First up is Will who is talking to Janet about her compact.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24You've brought a bit of the Middle East.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26What can you tell me about this box?
0:25:26 > 0:25:30My father had it made for my mother back in 1941
0:25:30 > 0:25:34when he was in India. It's made from Indian silver rupees.
0:25:34 > 0:25:42- Right.- He gave the craftsman 200. The craftsman kept 100 as his fee
0:25:42 > 0:25:48and the other 100 was melted down and he used a foot-operated lathe to scoop out the inside
0:25:48 > 0:25:55and he then engraved the top to make it into a compact. The whole thing cost £7 and 10 shillings.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58- In old money. - OK, good value.- Good value.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02What really caught my eye when you brought it out
0:26:02 > 0:26:08- was this decoration on the cover. We've got this Middle Eastern boat. - That's right.
0:26:08 > 0:26:15Within this nice florally-engraved border, which again made me curious.
0:26:15 > 0:26:21Let's have a look inside. We're both cheating a bit - there's a nice type note inside
0:26:21 > 0:26:26that tells us when it was made, where, and what it was made of.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30I like the little bit that says any of the shavings from it
0:26:30 > 0:26:37were literally his little profit. He probably swept them all up and put them in his Christmas fund!
0:26:37 > 0:26:42I've had a close look. As is often with Middle Eastern silver,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46- it's not marked at all.- No. - So we have to be a little careful.
0:26:46 > 0:26:52- We'll have to catalogue it as white metal. So your father commissioned it for your mother.- That's right.
0:26:52 > 0:26:59- Do you not powder your nose with it or have any dressing table to sit it on?- No.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04- It's in the drawer on my jewellery box. It's never seen. - We hear that a lot.
0:27:04 > 0:27:09- I don't think it will be hugely valuable.- No.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12But it's interesting. It's just a little bit different.
0:27:12 > 0:27:19I mean it's obviously going to be worth £7.50. He'll get his money back, or you will.
0:27:19 > 0:27:26- I'm going to say to you it's going to be worth around £40. - Right. That's fine.- If it's OK,
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- I'll put the estimate at £30-£50. - Right.- OK?
0:27:29 > 0:27:34I'm pretty known for asking people not to put reserves on things.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38If you want to sell it, let it sell. How do you feel?
0:27:38 > 0:27:46- I think we'll let it go.- So we'll put the estimate at £30-£50, we'll live dangerously without a reserve
0:27:46 > 0:27:52- and I'm confident that on the day it's going to find a new home. - Well, I hope so.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54- I'll see you at the sale.- Thank you.
0:27:54 > 0:28:01That's an interesting item. Now I've headed out to the courtyard to talk to Caroline.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Tell me about this bronze.
0:28:03 > 0:28:08It's been in my family from the beginning of the 20th century.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12It belonged to my great-grandfather who lived in Sutton.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16And it's been passed down through the family to me.
0:28:16 > 0:28:22- In the family all that time. - Yes, I remember it as a child. - Where do you have it at home?
0:28:22 > 0:28:28- Sitting on the fireplace. - I hoped you'd say that. These look best on the hearth.
0:28:28 > 0:28:33- It really is a large bird, isn't it? - Yes.- The biggest I have seen...
0:28:33 > 0:28:37if it is what I think it is. Can I tell you?
0:28:37 > 0:28:44Let's turn it upside down. I'm looking for a maker's mark. There - a B inside a vase.
0:28:44 > 0:28:51- Can you see that?- Yes. What does that mean?- That means it's made by Franz Bergman.
0:28:51 > 0:28:58- And this is the real McCoy. This is an Austrian, cold-painted bronze.- Well.
0:28:58 > 0:29:05The Bergmans were an Austrian family working in practice from around 1861 to 1936,
0:29:05 > 0:29:11just before the start of WWII. The family specialised in small animals.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16And some figures, but mainly animals. They loved animals.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20And they could model animals almost life-like,
0:29:20 > 0:29:25like this one is, in wax. That's how they worked that.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29Then a mould is taken from the wax and cast in the bronze.
0:29:29 > 0:29:34- It's the best way of reproducing images like this.- Very interesting.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38Then they're painted when the bronze is cold, with life-like colours.
0:29:38 > 0:29:43This bird, this cock pheasant, has been repainted at some stage.
0:29:43 > 0:29:49Just here, the plumes on the breast. You can see that it doesn't have the consistent wear
0:29:49 > 0:29:52that the rest of the bird has.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56It's got so much expression. So much expression.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58Now...
0:29:58 > 0:30:04The good news is it's worth a lot of money. So I'm very impressed, very excited.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08- So am I!- I'm quite scared to put a valuation on this!
0:30:08 > 0:30:12Because you know, obviously, size is very important.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16The smaller ones are worth £300-£500 and this has got to be worth XYZ.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20- Double? Treble? Quadruple? - Keep going!
0:30:22 > 0:30:25My gut feeling says £1,000-£2,000.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27Wow.
0:30:28 > 0:30:35- If we put it into auction with a valuation of, say, £1,000-£1,500.- Mm-hm.
0:30:35 > 0:30:41- And put a reserve on at £1,000?- Yes. - I look forward to seeing you in the auction room
0:30:41 > 0:30:43and hopefully it will fly away!
0:30:45 > 0:30:49I do have high hopes for that colourful pheasant. Back inside,
0:30:49 > 0:30:54- Catherine's talking to Isobel about her brooch.- Thank you for bringing
0:30:54 > 0:31:00your beautiful diamond and platinum brooch. It's not conventional with a pin on the back.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02I'm guessing you take this off
0:31:02 > 0:31:07and then probably pin this into your lapel
0:31:07 > 0:31:09and then put the arrowhead...
0:31:09 > 0:31:15back on like that. A really lovely item.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17It probably dates to about 1920s.
0:31:17 > 0:31:24This lovely feathered effect at the back, you can see each one is inset
0:31:24 > 0:31:28with a rose-cut diamond. And then again at the top.
0:31:28 > 0:31:33A rose-cut diamond on the arrowhead. Where did you get this from?
0:31:33 > 0:31:39From my sister. It was a gift from her husband many years ago from an antique shop.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43- And did she wear it?- She did, yes.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46- And did she give it to you?- Yes. - It's passed on to you.
0:31:46 > 0:31:51- Do you ever wear it?- No. I've never worn it.- Never?- No.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55- It's been in a box for 30 years. - Right.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59When your sister wore it, did she wear it to glamorous occasions?
0:31:59 > 0:32:03Yeah, well, social functions and church.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06- Do you have any idea of how much it's worth?- No idea.
0:32:06 > 0:32:12- I think it's worth about £80-£120 at auction.- Right, right.
0:32:12 > 0:32:18- At least. I would like to see it making about £150, maybe towards £200.- Right.
0:32:18 > 0:32:24But I think if you put an estimate on of £80-£120, and then attract the buyers,
0:32:24 > 0:32:28what is great about it is it's not your conventional brooch.
0:32:28 > 0:32:36It is unusual, it's 1920s as well. And I just love this platinum and diamond combination.
0:32:36 > 0:32:41- And the fact that it is a nice arrow shape.- Yeah, very original.
0:32:41 > 0:32:46- It is original. Would you be sorry to see this go?- Not particularly.
0:32:46 > 0:32:52I have no sentimental value of it. It's been in a box in a drawer for years and years.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54You never even look at it.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57I think then it is time to move on.
0:32:57 > 0:33:04- Let somebody else have the pleasure. - Absolutely. And it's the sort of object that should do very well.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07It's not conventional
0:33:07 > 0:33:09and it is classic and very elegant.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13- Thank you for bringing it along. - Thank you.
0:33:13 > 0:33:19The arrow brooch might just hit the mark with bidders, but for now Will is with Mary
0:33:19 > 0:33:26- and her dramatic candelabras. - How does glass from mid Europe come to be in Northern Ireland?
0:33:26 > 0:33:32I couldn't tell you! They happen to be in the house and were left to me.
0:33:32 > 0:33:38- It was part of the furniture. - So you've been left a house and its contents?- Yes.
0:33:38 > 0:33:43- And that was part of it. - And they don't tickle your fancy?
0:33:43 > 0:33:49- They don't go with my decor. - Well, they're very much of their time.
0:33:49 > 0:33:5419th century, European, Bohemian to be precise, glass.
0:33:54 > 0:34:00Very much of that period where a lot of it was candlelight, natural light and gaslight.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05Hence these lustres hanging down from these coloured-glass vases.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09This sort of lead crystal was very good at reflecting light
0:34:09 > 0:34:13I said Bohemia. They were well known for this coloured glass.
0:34:13 > 0:34:18Flashed or paste. You have two layers.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22You've got the red glass and the white glass, milk glass.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26They carve away the outer layers to expose the red underneath.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30It was a cheap method to produce multi-coloured glass,
0:34:30 > 0:34:35which fitted in with Bohemia creating this commercial glassware.
0:34:35 > 0:34:41And then decorated, quite beautifully, with little roses and white flowers and this gilding.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45Now there are some issues. One of them is kind of complete.
0:34:45 > 0:34:51The other one, the lustres are loose, missing, broken.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55That's a shame. Collectors are fussy. We've got condition, wear,
0:34:55 > 0:35:02we've got a little bit of loss to the gilding, so I have to be pretty mean on how I estimate.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06I'm going to say you might get up to £100 for the two.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09- How does that sound?- It's OK.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13Let's put them in at £50-£100. A nice, wide estimate, keep it open.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18- And let's reserve them at £30. Shall we fix them at 30?- Yes.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22Otherwise you pay the commission and have nothing left.
0:35:22 > 0:35:27So we're agreed, Mary? £50-£100. Keep it quite loose.
0:35:27 > 0:35:34- It's a shame they weren't perfect or that would have been a nice little inheritance there!- True!
0:35:34 > 0:35:36- I look forward to seeing you. - Thank you.
0:35:36 > 0:35:43Hopefully that low estimate will encourage bidders so Mary has some success in selling them.
0:35:43 > 0:35:49We've seen all sorts of treasures and met some wonderful people with great stories to tell.
0:35:49 > 0:35:56Well, it certainly has been all go today, but we now have found our last batch of items for auction.
0:35:56 > 0:36:01Before we say a fond farewell to Lissanoure Castle,
0:36:01 > 0:36:07Margaret had a change of heart and she's now donated her cup and saucer to the castle
0:36:07 > 0:36:12and it's going to remain here for the rest of its life.
0:36:12 > 0:36:17So it's off to Ballycastle to see how our last items do under the hammer.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20We've got Janet's silver compact,
0:36:20 > 0:36:24Isobel's diamond and platinum arrow brooch,
0:36:24 > 0:36:27Mary's colourful candelabras
0:36:27 > 0:36:30and Caroline's exquisite pheasant.
0:36:30 > 0:36:36Standard seller's commission here is 15% plus VAT,
0:36:36 > 0:36:40something you need to consider when selling items at auction.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42First up is Mary.
0:36:42 > 0:36:48- All the money's going towards your daughter's holidays. How much have you so far?- Not very much!
0:36:48 > 0:36:55- Well, this will be a good start. - I hope so.- Fingers crossed. Good luck, Mary.
0:36:55 > 0:37:00- Going under the hammer now. - A couple of drop lustres here.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03Gilt and ruby lustres. £100?
0:37:03 > 0:37:05£100 for the lustres?
0:37:05 > 0:37:0790? 80? £50.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10- We're in.- £50 bid.
0:37:10 > 0:37:1255. 60 bid.
0:37:12 > 0:37:1665. £70. 75.
0:37:16 > 0:37:1980. 5. 90.
0:37:19 > 0:37:225. 100. And 5.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24110.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28120. 130.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31It's here at £130.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35Beside me at 130. I'm selling the pair at £130.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37Yes!
0:37:37 > 0:37:41£130. They loved them. That's a good result
0:37:41 > 0:37:45- and a good start to that holiday fund.- It certainly is.
0:37:46 > 0:37:51A good result and great news for Mary to pass on to her daughter.
0:37:51 > 0:37:56Meanwhile, Isobel's jewelled arrow brooch is up next.
0:37:56 > 0:38:02Isobel can't be with us today. We have another gorgeous lady, Catherine Southon. £80-£120.
0:38:02 > 0:38:08- Yes. I mean, brooches generally are quite hard to sell at auction. - They're not fashionable.
0:38:08 > 0:38:14- But this is quite elegant. I think it could do all right. - OK, good luck.
0:38:14 > 0:38:20Good luck to Isobel. We've got to get past the £80. Going under the hammer right now.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23Lot number 658.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25A platinum and diamond brooch.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28I can start this off at £50 and £60.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32A lovely wee platinum and diamond brooch at £60.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35- We want more than that. - 65.- A bit more interest, please.
0:38:35 > 0:38:3865 in the room. With me at £70.
0:38:38 > 0:38:4075 in the room.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43The bid is with me at £80.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45£80 with me.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49I'm going to sell it now at £80. If we're all out.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Selling it at £80. All done.
0:38:52 > 0:38:58- He sold it.- We must tell Isobel. - We'd have liked more, but she'll be happy.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02That just shows how important it is to have a reserve.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05Janet's taken that warning to heart.
0:39:05 > 0:39:11- Who's had a change of plan?- Me! - We now have a new reserve which is at your highest end.
0:39:11 > 0:39:18- Really?- Why did you change your mind?- It's got a lot of sentimental value
0:39:18 > 0:39:23and I suddenly thought, "If my sisters find out, I'm dead!"
0:39:23 > 0:39:25- It's a nice thing.- I know it is.
0:39:25 > 0:39:31- I'm regretting it now. - Oh, it's a bit late now! You should have withdrawn it!
0:39:31 > 0:39:33What do the bidders think?
0:39:33 > 0:39:36Who'll give me £100 for this one?
0:39:36 > 0:39:38100? 90? 80?
0:39:38 > 0:39:41£50 for this silver engraved compact?
0:39:41 > 0:39:45£35 bid. £40. For the silver compact.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49- That's it, Gerry. Get it up. - £35 bid there.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53Give it another call at £35. Sorry, have to leave that one.
0:39:53 > 0:39:58- I'm pleased for Janet!- She's more delighted than if it had sold!
0:39:58 > 0:40:02- Yes, I am! - Keep the customer satisfied.
0:40:02 > 0:40:07We don't mind at all, especially now it's staying in the family.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11Before the sale started, I caught up with Gerry McAfee
0:40:11 > 0:40:15who gave me his opinion on the bronze pheasant.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17My eyes just went boom!
0:40:17 > 0:40:24It's the biggest piece of cold-painted bronze I've seen by Bergman. I think it's stunning.
0:40:24 > 0:40:30I had to put £1,000-£2,000 on this. We normally sell the small figures, the little tiny birds,
0:40:30 > 0:40:35- for £300-£400.- A lovely piece, one of the best in the sale.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39I was a little bit dubious about the feathers on the breast.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43It hasn't got the rub of the paintwork like the rest has.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47- I think it's been touched up. - Maybe, but not very much
0:40:47 > 0:40:49and I don't think that'll affect it.
0:40:49 > 0:40:54- I fancy a couple of local people for it.- Do you? They gave you the nod?
0:40:54 > 0:40:59They quite like it and they're good buyers, but who knows?
0:40:59 > 0:41:04This is the great thing about auctions. No fixed price tags!
0:41:05 > 0:41:10Now I'm ready to put my valuation to the test. It's time to sell it.
0:41:12 > 0:41:18This is what I've been waiting for. That Bergman bronze. It belongs to Caroline and David.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22- Thank you so much for bringing it. We didn't see you on the day.- No.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26- But you were there.- I was. - Looking at the other antiques.
0:41:26 > 0:41:32I had a chat to the auctioneer. He said there has been interest and a couple of phone bids.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36He's hoping he's got a couple of locals that collect bronzes.
0:41:36 > 0:41:42They've been musing over this, saying, "I might go for this."
0:41:42 > 0:41:48- So hopefully it'll stay locally. - That would be nice.- But you don't really care! It's about the price!
0:41:50 > 0:41:53The more competition, the better.
0:41:53 > 0:41:57A cold-painted bronze figurine of a pheasant.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00By Franz Bergman.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02Start it with me at 700. 750.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05£800. With me at £800.
0:42:05 > 0:42:06850.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09850 on the phone. 900.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12950 on the phone. At 950.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15The bronze is at 950.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18- Round it up.- 1,050.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20£1,100.
0:42:20 > 0:42:221,150. £1,200.
0:42:22 > 0:42:261,250. On the phone at 1,250.
0:42:26 > 0:42:311,250 on the phone. 1,300. 1,350 on the phone.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34On the phone at 1,350. 1,400.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38- This is more like it! Isn't it?- Yeah.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41On the phone at £1,450.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44A superb bronze at £1,450.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49- I am going to sell it. At... 1,500.- Brilliant.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53£1,500. 1,550. At 1,550.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56On the phone at £1,550.
0:42:56 > 0:43:01- Yes! Hammer's gone down. £1,550. Happy?- Fantastic, yes.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05- Thank you so much for bringing it in.- Thank YOU.- Real quality.
0:43:05 > 0:43:10What'll you do with all that money? Remember, there's commission to pay.
0:43:10 > 0:43:16We've had a tough couple of years with illness in the family, so we'll treat ourselves to a holiday.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18- Wonderful. Enjoy it.- We will.
0:43:18 > 0:43:24Just fabulous. I was on the money and that's it for our Flog It items today.
0:43:25 > 0:43:31We've had a fabulous time here. A few hits and a few misses, but that's auctions for you.
0:43:31 > 0:43:37The highlight for me had to be the big smile on Janet's face when we failed to sell her compact!
0:43:37 > 0:43:42It takes all sorts to make a great show. Hope you enjoyed it.
0:43:55 > 0:43:59Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2010
0:44:00 > 0:44:02Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk