0:00:04 > 0:00:08Warminster in Wiltshire once hosted one of the largest markets in England
0:00:08 > 0:00:12and hopefully we'll be keeping that tradition well and truly alive
0:00:12 > 0:00:15with lots of selling as Warminster plays host to Flog It.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Warminster was best known for its corn market
0:00:42 > 0:00:46which was established in the early part of the 13th century
0:00:46 > 0:00:49and it's flourished here for around 700 years.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52The market's trade gradually declined because there was no canal
0:00:52 > 0:00:57connecting the town and the railway was blamed for diverting traffic away.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01By 1900 the great days of the corn market were well and truly over.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07100 years later and Warminster is a thriving, modern town.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11I'm standing in a recent development known as Corn Market and it features
0:01:11 > 0:01:15a gorgeous bronze statue of a young girl sitting at the top
0:01:15 > 0:01:16of a stack of grain sacks.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20It remains a constant reminder of a bygone age.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26We're ready for a day of trading at the Warminster Assembly Rooms
0:01:26 > 0:01:31and now it's down to experts, Kate Bliss and David Fletcher,
0:01:31 > 0:01:35to lead our team of valuers to sort out the wheat from the chaff.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39Kate's lifelong passion for antiques was a bug she caught from
0:01:39 > 0:01:43her auctioneer dad, so she has a sharp eye for those hidden gems.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47David chooses his items very carefully.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50He doesn't claim to be the last of the big spenders.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54He once bought a bike at auction for the princely sum of £1!
0:01:55 > 0:02:00Coming up on today's show it's first-time nerves for Julia.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02- I know this is your first auction? - It is!- Ever!
0:02:02 > 0:02:04I'm very excited my heart is pounding.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- But will she cope with the pressure? - Have I got any discretion?
0:02:07 > 0:02:11- What does that mean?- Will you let it go any cheaper?- Oh, gosh!
0:02:11 > 0:02:14And what's got Jane excited?
0:02:14 > 0:02:16Amazing!
0:02:18 > 0:02:19We'll find out later in the show
0:02:19 > 0:02:21but let's get straight down to business
0:02:21 > 0:02:24and it looks like the first round is on Angela.
0:02:26 > 0:02:32Now you've brought with you a vessel designed to contain my favourite tipple, beer.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34It looks to me as if it's Georgian.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36Can you tell me anything about it?
0:02:36 > 0:02:42Well, I purchased it in a car boot sale, anything up to ten years ago.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44I think it may have been between eight and ten years ago.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47And the old question, can you remember what you paid for it?
0:02:47 > 0:02:50It wasn't any more than £15.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Do you think the people who were selling it to you knew that it was silver?
0:02:54 > 0:02:58No. It was actually in a little box which I was actually rummaging around with.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02- So you bought a little box for £15 and that included this mug?- Yes.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07A Georgian silver beer mug, it's amazing isn't it, really!
0:03:07 > 0:03:09There are four marks.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13The first and I suppose really the most important
0:03:13 > 0:03:20is the lion standing on all fours, the lion passant in other words.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23That mark tells us that it's silver and has qualified for its hallmark.
0:03:23 > 0:03:31The second mark we should consider is the crowned leopard's head which tells us that it was
0:03:31 > 0:03:36assayed in London and in this instance before 1821...
0:03:36 > 0:03:40- we know that because the leopard's head is crowned.- Right.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43The third mark, "TW"
0:03:43 > 0:03:48is the mark of the maker, I think Thomas Whippen, and the
0:03:48 > 0:03:53- fourth mark is the date letter which tells us it was assayed in 1767.- Wow!
0:03:53 > 0:03:59George III came to the throne in 1760 so it's an early George III mug,
0:03:59 > 0:04:03so a full set of hallmarks in good order.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06- Quite often they get rubbed and these haven't been rubbed at all.- Right.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09One of the things I think is remarkable about this mug is
0:04:09 > 0:04:14- that it still has traces of the original hammered decoration.- Right.
0:04:14 > 0:04:22This is caused really as a by-product of the manufacturing process and with time it more often than
0:04:22 > 0:04:27not gets polished away but we can see here quite clearly that that hasn't happened and that is lovely to see.
0:04:27 > 0:04:35- Right.- We have the sea scroll handle typical of the period with this stylised, stiff leaf capping there,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38just what we would expect in the Georgian period.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43Also as well I've noticed on the handle there's actually some initials on there.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46I don't know whether you can actually tell me about that as well?
0:04:46 > 0:04:50Yes. These initials, I think, must be those of a person who owned it.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- Right.- "YIE"
0:04:54 > 0:04:56and I'm absolutely certain they're contemporary with the mug itself.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00- Right.- I don't think there's any doubt about that, so that's another lovely feature.
0:05:00 > 0:05:08In my view this mug given its lovely quality is going to make
0:05:08 > 0:05:12in the region of £150 to £200.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- Right, OK.- And I would suggest a fixed reserve of £130.- Right, OK.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18- Just, as I say, to safeguard it, really.- OK, that's lovely.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- Thank you ever so much.- Jolly good.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25So with such good provenance, Angela's silver tankard should do well at auction.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Not everyone wants to sell their items but some of them
0:05:30 > 0:05:33are so interesting, I just have to take a closer look.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38Well, I've got to say, we're having a marvellous day here in Warminster, everybody is thoroughly enjoying
0:05:38 > 0:05:44themselves and I've just sat down next to Rosemary who has got a half-finished sampler.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- So how did you come by this? - My grandmother used to work in
0:05:47 > 0:05:53a big house and it was given to her and then passed down to my mother and subsequently onto myself.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55What a lovely story, so it's been in the family a long time?
0:05:55 > 0:05:58- It has, yes.- Has it always been in Warminster or in Wiltshire?
0:05:58 > 0:06:04No, it started off in London, then into Kent and it came down to Wiltshire with us six years ago.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- You've moved about a bit, haven't you?- We have, yes.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11I love this little sampler. I think because it's unfinished, there's
0:06:11 > 0:06:14something quite special about it, because we know who she is.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18Her name was Elizabeth Lambridge and it's her work in the year of
0:06:18 > 0:06:23our Lord 1771 and for some unknown reason, this is where she stopped.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25Stopped, mmm.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29I wonder what went wrong? I hope it wasn't tragic.
0:06:29 > 0:06:30Yes, so do I.
0:06:30 > 0:06:36And the condition is absolutely fantastic and there's not a thing wrong with it.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- If it was completed, something like this would be worth around £200 to £300...- Mmm...
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- But it's not, sadly.- Unfortunately.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47It's lost half its value - it's probably worth around £100 but it fascinates me,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50it's lovely, it really is. I just wish we knew the story...
0:06:50 > 0:06:52but that's the good thing about antiques...
0:06:52 > 0:06:54it keeps you guessing, it keeps you wondering, doesn't it?
0:06:54 > 0:06:55That's right.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Well, we don't always get to the bottom of the story but Madeleine
0:06:58 > 0:07:01knows exactly where her object came from.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Ooh, now that's something a little bit special. Tell me about that?
0:07:04 > 0:07:07I bought it here about ten to 12 years ago in a jumble sale.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10So when you say 'here', in Warminster?
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- Actually in this building. - In the Assembly Rooms?
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- Assembly Rooms.- How funny!
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- Church jumble sale. - So what made you buy it?
0:07:17 > 0:07:19I just saw a box??
0:07:19 > 0:07:22and it was sitting at the bottom. I knew it was gold looking at it.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- So how much did it cost you? - Ten pence.- Ten pence...
0:07:25 > 0:07:29- about 12 years ago? - Mmm.- OK, so have you worn it? Is it something that you like?
0:07:29 > 0:07:31I have worn it, yeah, I did wear it for a while but I think
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- it was a man's ring and it was a bit, not very feminine looking.- OK.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Well, let's have a closer look at it.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Do you know what the stones are that we've got here?
0:07:39 > 0:07:47- They're garnets, aren't they? - They are garnets. These are a typical blood-red, dark red which is
0:07:47 > 0:07:54very akin to the almandine garnet and then the setting and the mount here is gold, you're absolutely right, and
0:07:54 > 0:07:59beautifully engraved and we've also got faces on the corners,
0:07:59 > 0:08:03haven't we, where the gold has been shaped.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Now there's one thing that puzzles me about this ring.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11The gold which is obviously quite a soft metal as I'm sure you know,
0:08:11 > 0:08:15is showing quite a lot of wear, obviously on the shank here where it's worn very thin...
0:08:15 > 0:08:20- It's very thin, yeah. - Which suggests to me it certainly is a Georgian ring,
0:08:20 > 0:08:28I would say a gent's ring certainly, but the garnets which are set in places where obviously
0:08:28 > 0:08:33they're going to be knocked and worn aren't showing very much wear at all.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38You'd also expect garnets of this period to be slightly flatter...
0:08:38 > 0:08:43- Oh, I see...- To be cut slightly flatter and I think what we've
0:08:43 > 0:08:48got here is a Georgian ring, a Georgian mount and shank but later stones that have been replaced.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- Oh, I see.- So what about value?
0:08:50 > 0:08:54Do you have a feeling about what it might fetch on the open market today?
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- No, not really. - Well, I think you're going to fetch
0:08:57 > 0:09:04between £200 and £300 for that and perhaps pitch your reserve at just under that to perhaps the £180 mark.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Are you happy to sell it at that?
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Yes, very happy.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12OK, well I think for ten pence that's a pretty good return, Madeleine.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Well, it just goes to show it's always worth buying something that catches your eye,
0:09:15 > 0:09:21especially if it's just for 10p, and now from something small and light to something big and heavy.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Julia has brought in this rather impressive-looking clock.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27Now you must have struggled in with this from the car park!
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- Yes, it's very heavy. - It's a lovely clock.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Now, how long have you owned it?
0:09:33 > 0:09:37About 20 years myself, it was my mother's before that and my grandfather's.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- It's a family piece?- Yes.- OK.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- My grandfather used to repair clocks.- Did he, right.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47- So I don't know how he came by it. - Why are you selling it?
0:09:47 > 0:09:54Really because it's living in a box under my stairs and I have no place for it to fit,
0:09:54 > 0:09:59really, and it's a beautiful clock but it's just too large and too ornate really for my house.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Yes. Does it keep good time do you know, or...?
0:10:02 > 0:10:04It is in good working order.
0:10:04 > 0:10:10- When my mother used to have it out in her house yes, it used to keep good time.- So she did use it?
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- Yes, yes.- Well, I must say that your loss will be someone else's gain.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Well, that's what I feel. At least it might be appreciated a bit more
0:10:17 > 0:10:21if it's out being seen, being used - better that than sat in a box.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- We'll start just to discuss the case, if I may.- Yep.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28And the case is made of
0:10:28 > 0:10:33ormolu which is a gilt bronze.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38Stylistically, it owes its origins really to the 18th century.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42These figures, in particular these cariata figures,
0:10:42 > 0:10:47these so-called stiff leaf scrolls and things are all typical of the
0:10:47 > 0:10:5318th century but in fact it was made in the late 19th century.
0:10:53 > 0:10:58It's French, as we have said, fabulous quality and also in remarkably good condition.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01I must say, when I first saw it I rather thought it had been
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- re-gilded because it was shining across the room...- Yes...
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Glittering away but it hasn't...
0:11:06 > 0:11:10I'm sure this gilding is entirely original.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14That suggests to me that it's been kept under a glass dome.
0:11:14 > 0:11:15Oh, right, yes.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Since I've had it, it never has been, but...
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- Maybe the glass dome doesn't survive? - No.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25- No. It's worth a significant amount of money as you probably know.- Yes.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Do you have any notion of how much it might be worth?
0:11:28 > 0:11:30Somebody did recently say possibly about
0:11:30 > 0:11:34£500 but whether that's sort of in the ball park, I'm not really sure.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Well, I think we can go a little bit higher than that.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41I would like to think that this could make £1,000.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43Gosh! Lovely!
0:11:43 > 0:11:47And I think an estimate of £800 to £1,200 would be suitable
0:11:47 > 0:11:54and if you're prepared to agree a reserve of £800, I would be inclined to go ahead on that basis.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59The money isn't so much the issue, you know. It would be nice to see somebody else appreciate it.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02OK, so I look forward to seeing you again in the sale room.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06Your clock will be there and I hope we have a jolly good day.
0:12:06 > 0:12:12- Yes, me too.- We'll it's been hidden away in a box but it could be about to make Julia a lot of money.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16We're selling our items at Henry Aldridge Auctioneers just down the road in Devizes.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22The man in charge, Alan Aldridge, has some news about Madeleine's ring.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27Madeleine contacted me and the reserve on the day she decided
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- she would like to alter, she'd like to raise it to £250.- Right, OK.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33And because of that, we've had to raise the estimate as well...
0:12:33 > 0:12:39£250 to £350 because we can't have an estimate lower than the reserve.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Exactly. Do you think that's now too punchy, £250 to £350?
0:12:42 > 0:12:47No, I think it's tight, but I still think it's achievable.
0:12:47 > 0:12:53- OK.- It's a pretty, pretty ring and for a collector of this sort of thing, who knows!- Who knows?
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- OK, well that's what auctions are all about.- That's what it's about.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57That's the exciting part.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59You're going to get on the rostrum and do your best.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03- I'm going to try. - Fingers crossed we'll get the top end of the estimate.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07Will Madeleine's new reserve affect her chances? We'll find out in just a moment.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11First, though, here's a quick reminder of the other items about to go under the hammer.
0:13:11 > 0:13:17Angela's silver tankard was valued by David at £150 to £200 and Julia's ornate clock was
0:13:17 > 0:13:21also valued by David at £800 to £1,200.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23200. seven.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25Eight, 60?
0:13:28 > 0:13:30You could say time is up, literally, for Julia.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33We're just about to sell that gilt clock, the French clock.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36It's a very showy piece and we've got £800 to £1,200 on this.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41I was concerned I might have gone in a bit strong but, Paul, I think, and I think you agree with me, if you see
0:13:41 > 0:13:45something of good quality you owe it to that item to quote good money, really.
0:13:45 > 0:13:51It's very easy to under-quote and think well, it will fly away but I think it just deserves a proper,
0:13:51 > 0:13:55realistic estimate in order to make it do its best.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- We shall see. - We're going to find out, aren't we!
0:13:58 > 0:13:59It's ticking away right now, this is it.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Good luck, Julia and I know this is your first auction?
0:14:02 > 0:14:04- It is!- Ever!- I'm very excited...
0:14:04 > 0:14:05my heart is pounding.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09The Empire-style mantel clock.
0:14:09 > 0:14:10Four, get me away?
0:14:14 > 0:14:16I heard a little three somewhere!
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Three I've got.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20Well, it's a start.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24350. Four.
0:14:24 > 0:14:29- My heart's beating as well, I can tell you!- Five.
0:14:29 > 0:14:3050.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32God, this is slow-climbing.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36At 550. Six.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- 50. Seven.- Getting there.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42At 650. I'll take 25 if it helps.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Seven, seven and a quarter?
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- Have I got any discretion on this? - He's asking for discretion.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50- Is there discretion? - What does that mean?
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Will you let it go any cheaper? - Oh, gosh...
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- If in doubt, say no.- Oh, right, no.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00At 725, 725. Is there 750?
0:15:00 > 0:15:02At 750 and that's not enough.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- Ooh!- Didn't sell it.- What a shame.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07So close, so close, £50 away.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10I had a feeling that is a bit...
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- Yes, you're right.- I'm sorry, but...
0:15:12 > 0:15:16- Well, that's OK.- We did our best I think by putting that sort of estimate on it.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19Well, it's been an interesting experience and I've really enjoyed it.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Despite Julia's inexperience, she kept her wits about her and stuck to her guns.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27The clock is going home and at least she hasn't sold it for less than she wanted to...
0:15:27 > 0:15:29And now it's time for Madeleine's ring.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33I hope with the new reserve, we're not going to be sending another item home!
0:15:33 > 0:15:36We know since that day at the valuation day you've
0:15:36 > 0:15:42put the price up to £250 to £350, that's what you feel it's worth, fixed reserve at 250.
0:15:42 > 0:15:43- Yeah.- Why did you do that?
0:15:43 > 0:15:47Because I don't really mind if I sell it, actually, so I thought I'd
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- rather keep it than let it go for next to nothing.- Yep.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56Alan feels it just might struggle at that, it just might.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58- Fingers crossed. - Mmm, I mean hopefully...
0:15:58 > 0:16:01I mean, I did estimate it at £200 to £300 but that's more
0:16:01 > 0:16:06to encourage the bidding in a way, just to creep it up a little bit might put them off, but we'll see.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09But hey look, this is auctions and it could fly away...
0:16:09 > 0:16:11could make £400, couldn't it?
0:16:11 > 0:16:13- I should be so lucky! - Well, you don't know, do you?
0:16:13 > 0:16:18It's a garnet poison or mourning ring.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23150 to start me. 150 I've got.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Right, we're in.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27150. 160.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29170.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33180.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35190, 200.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41210, 220,
0:16:41 > 0:16:45230, 240, 250.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- He's sold it!- 250.
0:16:49 > 0:16:50I'm now out on the book.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56Is there 260? All going.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Yes, the hammer's gone down. Well done, Kate, it made estimate.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02- You've got what you wanted.- Yes. - £250, brilliant!
0:17:02 > 0:17:07Well, that's a relief and Madeleine goes home without the ring but with a big smile on her face and
0:17:07 > 0:17:12now Angela is hoping to raise some money towards a big family event by selling the silver tankard.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14- So your daughter is getting married? - Yes, she is.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18Jessica and Carl are getting married next July.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- First marriage in the family?- It certainly is.- Isn't that exciting!
0:17:21 > 0:17:23It certainly is, I'm really looking forward to it.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- Well, we've got £150 to £200.- Yes.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27It's a nice piece of silver.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30Good crisp hallmarks and it's in lovely condition.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- And it was got at a car boot sale as well.- That's certainly right!
0:17:33 > 0:17:38A tankard, a very nice little tankard.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Somewhere around about 125.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45125 I've got. At 125.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Five more pounds and you've done it!
0:17:48 > 0:17:54140, 150, 160, 170,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57190, 200.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- This is good.- At 190.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03At 190, is there 200 anywhere else?
0:18:03 > 0:18:07At £190 all done?
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- The hammer has gone down.- Wow!- £190!
0:18:10 > 0:18:12It just goes to show what you can pick up
0:18:12 > 0:18:15if you keep your eyes open at car boot sales.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- Definitely.- That's a good start to the wedding fund. Keep it up and enjoy that big special day.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21- I hope the sun is shining. - Thanks ever so much.
0:18:21 > 0:18:26A super result for Angela and a handy contribution to the wedding fund.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33In the 1950s, two American friends,
0:18:33 > 0:18:39a wealthy collector called Dallas Pratt and an English-born antiques dealer named John Judkin
0:18:39 > 0:18:46began to realise a shared vision of creating a unique museum, the likes of which had never been seen
0:18:46 > 0:18:48anywhere else in the world before.
0:18:48 > 0:18:54Dallas wanted to show that America contributed a great deal towards the decorative arts
0:18:54 > 0:18:58and having the kindred spirit in John was the perfect partnership, really,
0:18:58 > 0:19:02because it combined Dallas's cheque book with John's business contacts.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06Together they acquired a great deal of furniture and objects representing
0:19:06 > 0:19:12the cream of the craftsmanship and the folk art of America throughout the centuries
0:19:12 > 0:19:15and then they had it shipped all the way over to England.
0:19:15 > 0:19:20Claverton Manor near Bath was just a stone's throw away from where John's business was based.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24So when the opportunity arose to purchase the place, they both jumped at it.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29It was the perfect location to display their collection of Americana.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34Today, the collection is maintained by curator, Laura Beresford.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Laura, I love this room, I really do. I could live there!
0:19:38 > 0:19:39It's wonderful, isn't it?
0:19:39 > 0:19:42I want you to imagine that we've now gone back to late
0:19:42 > 0:19:4417th century Massachusetts.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48It's a puritan household austere household, but as you can see,
0:19:48 > 0:19:50still lots of wonderful decorative items.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54So how long did it take to get this sort of broken down
0:19:54 > 0:19:56from the house it came from and how did you get it in?
0:19:56 > 0:20:00Well, our founders were always very, very keen that their decorative arts
0:20:00 > 0:20:03collection be showcased in period room satins because they wanted to
0:20:03 > 0:20:10give people a sense of how life was lived and one of our founders had an export business taking European
0:20:10 > 0:20:15furniture over to the States and then all these containers were coming back empty so he decided to fill them up.
0:20:15 > 0:20:20What happened then? It must have been like one big jigsaw puzzle because it was all in bits?
0:20:20 > 0:20:23It's funny you should say that because the guy that was responsible for
0:20:23 > 0:20:27putting all those bits together did talk about it being a "nightmarish jigsaw". That was his phrase.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31He would go to sleep dreaming of cornicing, you know, bits of plank pursuing him along corridors.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- Who was this guy? Was he a tradesman?- He was a tradesman.
0:20:34 > 0:20:40He was a restorer and his name was Nick Bell Knight and he was a bit of a magician and without him the museum
0:20:40 > 0:20:44would not have been the success that it is because he spent two years reassembling all these bits
0:20:44 > 0:20:49into these wonderful period room satins and doing it seamlessly in chronological order.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- That's what is so amazing! - He's got a fabulous eye!
0:20:53 > 0:20:58It isn't just furniture here. With the emphasis on decorative arts, the museum also holds the
0:20:58 > 0:21:02biggest and best collection of American quilts in Europe.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Let's have a look at a couple, shall we?
0:21:10 > 0:21:11- Absolutely.- You do the turning.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16This is one of my favourite types of quilt. This is a Hawaiian quilt.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- Hawaiian!- Hawaiian! I mean why would you need a quilt in Hawaii!
0:21:19 > 0:21:22There's a very nice story behind this.
0:21:22 > 0:21:27When the European missionaries went over they were slightly appalled at all the dancing the island girls
0:21:27 > 0:21:31enjoyed and so they wanted to distract them, they wanted to Europeanise them.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36So that was a call to say, "Come on, stop dancing, stop stripping off and start doing something practical!"
0:21:36 > 0:21:40Well, not only to be practical but to become a European lady or to become
0:21:40 > 0:21:43familiar with what is acceptable as a lady.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44It's a discipline really, isn't it?
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Absolutely! It was a means of social control, really.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Have you got a favourite? Is it hiding behind here?
0:21:50 > 0:21:54It is a funny favourite and it's this one here.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- This one?- What type of bird do you think that is?
0:21:56 > 0:21:59I guess I'd say a dove, really!
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- I don't know!- Well, actually they're supposed to be representations of eagles so we're talking about
0:22:03 > 0:22:09the great seal of America, this great majestic bird, but they actually look to me like sort of very plump turkeys
0:22:09 > 0:22:14which have been shot and this is the explosion in the centre and they're all lying on their back
0:22:14 > 0:22:19in the farmyard, but I just find this wonderful because it's just so funny and so comical.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22That looks like it's the star of the show, this one.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- It is astonishing, isn't it? It's more or less ten feet square...- Gosh!
0:22:26 > 0:22:28And it would really swamp a bed, wouldn't it?
0:22:28 > 0:22:33- Yes.- So the remarkable thing about these quilts is that they weren't actually intended to be used.
0:22:33 > 0:22:38These were often given as wedding presents and individual people would make up
0:22:38 > 0:22:45each of the blocks which would then be sewn together as the quilt and they're called "album quilts"
0:22:45 > 0:22:48because they basically take up the same type of task as an autograph album.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52You know you write sweet mementoes wishing them the best for their married life,
0:22:52 > 0:22:57for their new home. It's more or less as it was when it was presented to these people in 1847.
0:22:57 > 0:22:58Absolutely incredible!
0:23:03 > 0:23:06So, you've given me a wonderful guided tour of the museum. Thank you so much.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08It's a pleasure. Thank you.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17Back in our valuation day in Warminster Experts, Kate Bliss and David Fletcher, are busy looking
0:23:17 > 0:23:20out for more treasures to take off to auction.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25Kate has spotted a little plate brought in by sisters, Anne and Sue.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28So how did you come to acquire this?
0:23:28 > 0:23:31We bought it at a car boot sale.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- Local to here?- Yes. - Salisbury.- OK.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Well, look on the back
0:23:36 > 0:23:42first of all and we can see the manufacturer is Minton's, one of
0:23:42 > 0:23:47the leading porcelain factories in England in the 19th century
0:23:47 > 0:23:51and known for its bone china particularly.
0:23:51 > 0:23:59Based in Stoke-On-Trent of course, and some people called it the Sevres of Stoke on Trent -
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Sevres of course being the leading porcelain manufacturer in France
0:24:03 > 0:24:11because Minton's produced bone china, which had a similar feel to the French hard paste porcelain,
0:24:11 > 0:24:16but they were also very much influenced in their designs and decorations by French designs,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19and here you can see, first of all
0:24:19 > 0:24:24on the children's or the fairies' clothing, you can see the colours.
0:24:24 > 0:24:29The enamels they've used are pale pastels -
0:24:29 > 0:24:31blue, pink and yellow.
0:24:31 > 0:24:39Very much used in France so I'm talking about enamels because it is hand-painted. There's nothing printed
0:24:39 > 0:24:43about this plate and if you look very, very closely
0:24:43 > 0:24:44there's a signature,
0:24:44 > 0:24:48- did you know that?- No, no.- No.- No.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53Underneath here is the initial "A"
0:24:53 > 0:24:56and the name is Boullemier.
0:24:56 > 0:25:02He was a French artist invited by Solon, the director, also a French
0:25:02 > 0:25:06man at Minton to come and decorate the Minton porcelain
0:25:06 > 0:25:10and he came over to the Minton factory in 1872
0:25:10 > 0:25:17and he is most associated with these cupid-like figures, if you like.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Very commercial subject and why?
0:25:19 > 0:25:23Because Minton was aiming their wares across the Atlantic
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- to America because on the back... - We did spot that.
0:25:26 > 0:25:32You noticed that, the retailers, Fifth Avenue, New York.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35So, a very commercial little plate.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37So what about value?
0:25:37 > 0:25:40How much did you pay for it, first of all?
0:25:40 > 0:25:44- £3.- £3!- Yes.
0:25:44 > 0:25:51Well, at auction I think your £3 should turn into £100 because I would estimate this at
0:25:51 > 0:25:56probably £80 to £100 but I think this particular design doesn't come up
0:25:56 > 0:25:58that often so I think at £80 to £100
0:25:58 > 0:26:00you're going to certainly attract collectors
0:26:00 > 0:26:02and it should make the top end of the estimate.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06- Gosh.- Lovely.- Well, you seem like a very good team to me.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08Thank you.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11The items people bring in come from all sorts of places.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Anne and Sue spotted their plate in a car boot sale,
0:26:14 > 0:26:19but Brenda's tea set has been in the family for a very long time.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21I love this.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23- It's by Susie Cooper as I'm sure you know.- Yes.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- How long have you owned it? - 54 years.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28- It was a wedding present.- Really!
0:26:28 > 0:26:32Yes, and it's only been used once in the whole time.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34In all that time. Gosh. So it's been in your hands ever since?
0:26:34 > 0:26:39- That's right.- Susie Cooper was an important designer.
0:26:39 > 0:26:46Quite rare, because there weren't many lady designers working in industry and she became
0:26:46 > 0:26:50governor of her own firm. I mean the company became known as Susie Cooper
0:26:50 > 0:26:53so she was successful both in an artistic sense
0:26:53 > 0:26:57and in a business sense and it shows here, doesn't it?
0:26:57 > 0:27:03- It does. - This shape is known as the falcon shape for obvious reasons, really.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07If you look at the spout in profile it looks rather like a
0:27:07 > 0:27:12falcon with its bill taking the form of the spout and it's
0:27:12 > 0:27:17classic Art Deco. It's streamlined a bit like a racing car -
0:27:17 > 0:27:20the finial, the handle, both pick up on that.
0:27:20 > 0:27:25And, Brenda, the fact that this was designed in the 1930s or at least
0:27:25 > 0:27:29the shape was designed in the 1930s is confirmed if we look at the mark,
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- which is from the 1930s.- Yes...
0:27:32 > 0:27:36- Even though as you say, it was bought in 1955.- Yes...
0:27:36 > 0:27:41Which I think tells us that the pattern, the decoration, is actually
0:27:41 > 0:27:46a bit later so we have a 1930s shape decorated in the mid 1950s.
0:27:46 > 0:27:51- Yes.- If anything, I think that makes it more interesting.
0:27:51 > 0:27:58It's in perfect condition. A slight sort of "crazing" which you do get. I suspect it's just age which
0:27:58 > 0:28:01has caused the glaze to shrink really, but no chips or cracks.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04- No, not at all.- Very important.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Why are you thinking of selling it?
0:28:06 > 0:28:12Well, as I said, it's only ever been used the once and it's just in the sideboard all the time and
0:28:12 > 0:28:17somebody else who collects this Susie Cooper might be more appreciative of it.
0:28:17 > 0:28:22- Time for a change and there will be people out there who will love to get their hands on this.- Yes, hopefully.
0:28:22 > 0:28:29- I think this is going to make somewhere between £40 and £60. - Right.- How about a reserve of £30?
0:28:29 > 0:28:33- That sounds reasonable, yes. - OK, thank you for bringing it in and I'll see you at the sale.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35- Thank you very much. Thank you. - Thank you.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Jane also has a family heirloom she wants to sell
0:28:42 > 0:28:44and Kate takes a closer look.
0:28:44 > 0:28:49Jane, this is a beautifully tranquil English scene. Where did it come from?
0:28:49 > 0:28:57It was my granny's and it hung in her house for many years so she'd had it a long time,
0:28:57 > 0:28:58but Granny died quite some years ago
0:28:58 > 0:29:02and she handed it onto my mum so it actually belongs to my mother now.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06OK, so do you know anything about where it is, first of all?
0:29:06 > 0:29:09- Yes, I think that's the Trent... - Yes.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13And I think that bridge is something like the Saxby Bridge, but I'm not
0:29:13 > 0:29:18sure, but it's where the Trent, the Derwent and the canal meet.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22- Aah, is it?- It's quite a famous bridge in the area. It's Derbyshire.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26Quite a spot? Well, the artist, Frank Gresley, who has signed himself
0:29:26 > 0:29:33just down here quite clearly, came from a very well-known family of painters
0:29:33 > 0:29:36based in Derbyshire and he was known as the "old man of Chellaston"
0:29:36 > 0:29:41because Chellaston was where he lived for most of his life where he was based.
0:29:41 > 0:29:46Now he had two sons, Harold and Cuthbert, also painters and water
0:29:46 > 0:29:53colourists but Cuthbert in fact painted on ceramics and he joined the Royal Crown Derby
0:29:53 > 0:29:59porcelain factory in 1893, but Frank Gresley as 'the old man' if you like,
0:29:59 > 0:30:01was born in 1855 and died in the
0:30:01 > 0:30:091930s and I would say this picture is typical of his sort of later output in the early part of the 20th century
0:30:09 > 0:30:13and it is really so English, isn't it,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16right down to the costumes here the figures are wearing -
0:30:16 > 0:30:19Edwardian, late Victorian, Edwardian dress.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23This gentleman here with his scythe and his sleeves rolled up
0:30:23 > 0:30:25and the ladies here on the bank
0:30:25 > 0:30:31and you can feel the warmth in the English red brick houses.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33- Certainly...- Along the banks here.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36There is a little bit of an issue with condition.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39I can tell it's been on a wall, it's slightly yellowed and you
0:30:39 > 0:30:42can see that particularly around the clouds here and in the sky
0:30:42 > 0:30:44- and we've got a problem with foxing...- Right.
0:30:44 > 0:30:50Which are these brownie patches that dot particularly the sky,
0:30:50 > 0:30:53but a good restorer could certainly get rid of that quite easily,
0:30:53 > 0:30:55but in terms of value, that will bring the value
0:30:55 > 0:31:00down a little bit. But it certainly ought to fetch between 400 and 600.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03OK, yeah, that sounds good!
0:31:03 > 0:31:07- Will you be sad to see it go? - No, because nobody likes it.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09We call it the "Grisly Gresley"!
0:31:09 > 0:31:13Oh, really! That's a bit sad! I can't think that this could be further from grisly.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15- I think it's beautiful!- Do you?
0:31:15 > 0:31:19- Yeah, I do! It is a quintessentially English landscape, isn't it? - It is, it is.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21It may be "Grisly Gresley"
0:31:21 > 0:31:25to Jane, but I'm sure someone will take a shine to it at auction.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Auctioneer Alan Aldridge is worried
0:31:31 > 0:31:34about Kate's estimate on Anne and Sue's plate.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39This plate by Boullemier was bought at a car boot sale in Salisbury two years ago for guess how much money?
0:31:39 > 0:31:42- Well, if they were very lucky, two or three quid.- Yep, you're right.
0:31:42 > 0:31:48£3 exactly and we're hoping it's worth £80 to £100.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50I think that's a bit "toppy".
0:31:50 > 0:31:54It's got a few things in its favour, but I would say
0:31:54 > 0:31:57it's touch and go. At three quid, I would say it's a blinder!
0:31:57 > 0:32:00Yeah, well of course, yeah!
0:32:00 > 0:32:03OK, if this had come to you and you had to give a valuation
0:32:03 > 0:32:06at the front door, what would you have said?
0:32:06 > 0:32:10I think I would have said probably 50, somewhere around there.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12I don't think I would have gone much above 50.
0:32:12 > 0:32:17OK, we've got a reserve at £80 with a bit of discretion, so hopefully your top end may be our lower end?
0:32:17 > 0:32:23- Yeah, and again good subject and a decent maker. It's a fairly good combination.- Yeah, OK.
0:32:23 > 0:32:29I think if we had a little old lady on there, the three quid at a boot sale would have been over the top,
0:32:29 > 0:32:33or a little old gentleman like me at a boot sale it would have been very well over the top!
0:32:33 > 0:32:37Two children, nice subject and that will help it.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39Fingers crossed, OK.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42So, has Kate overestimated the value of the plate?
0:32:42 > 0:32:44We'll find out shortly.
0:32:44 > 0:32:45And the other items we're selling are
0:32:45 > 0:32:49Brenda's breakfast set valued by David at £40 to £60
0:32:49 > 0:32:54and Jane's painting valued by Kate at £400 to £600.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57Coming up, it's Anne and Sue's little plate.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00- So who spotted it first?- Anne!- Me.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03- Did you dive in on it and say, "Yes, here you are, £3?" - No, not at all.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07OK, let's hope we get the top end of Kate's estimate, hopefully £80.
0:33:07 > 0:33:14I hope so, yes. It's such a charming little image of those two skaters and it's Minton at its best.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18Yes. Well, Alan said it's a lovely image and that's hopefully what will get it away.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21He said it might be just a struggle, but it hopefully will get away.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27The Minton plate, 50?
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Anyone want to start me at 30?
0:33:34 > 0:33:37It's a pretty plate. Anyone want to start me at £30 on it?
0:33:37 > 0:33:40- Cor, it's falling flat, in the room!- Yeah.- 25?
0:33:41 > 0:33:43No. No-one want to start me at 25 on it?
0:33:43 > 0:33:45Come on, come on, a couple more bids.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48Ladies and gentlemen, we'll pass that, then.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51- No.- Right. - It's not selling. I'm really sorry.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53We were close,
0:33:53 > 0:33:55but it just wasn't enough.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58I think the reserve was just a little bit too high.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00There's another day and another auction room.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05That's right! I mean things change so dramatically in a different auction house on another day and the thing
0:34:05 > 0:34:11is, you picked up a cracking bargain and a really nice quality plate and I think the money is there, or
0:34:11 > 0:34:15thereabouts, so I think it's probably a good thing if it didn't go because
0:34:15 > 0:34:18- you've got it to try it on another day.- Yes.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21Anne and Sue will be taking the plate home, but at least they have a good idea of its value
0:34:21 > 0:34:27and I'm sure it won't be long before they turn their £3 investment into a pocket-full of money.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30Now it's Brenda's breakfast set which she only ever used once
0:34:30 > 0:34:34in 54 years but are the right bidders here?
0:34:34 > 0:34:38Right, we've got some Susie Cooper. It's a top name in ceramics design, it's a breakfast set going under the
0:34:38 > 0:34:41hammer for £40 to £60 belonging to Brenda.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45Now, you're selling this because you want to divide the money up
0:34:45 > 0:34:47for the kids don't you, really, in a way?
0:34:47 > 0:34:49Well, probably, yes.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51- Because they don't want it, do they? - No, they don't.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53- No, not at all.- We don't, either!
0:34:53 > 0:34:56- Don't you? - No! We never have breakfast in bed!
0:34:56 > 0:34:58Susie Cooper is a brilliant name. It's a name to look out for,
0:34:58 > 0:35:02it really is and I know that's kind of why you focused on that so much?
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Well, it characterises a style. It just sums up the Art Deco style.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08It sums up the modern movement in architecture as well.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12It just speaks of the 1930s and things should speak of their period, really,
0:35:12 > 0:35:14and this does.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16It's a nice little set, this.
0:35:17 > 0:35:2020 I've got, 20 I've got, five.
0:35:22 > 0:35:27- 30, five, 40, five, 50... - Come on!
0:35:27 > 0:35:32Five, 60. At £55, 55 is there, 60, at 55.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34I'm not going to dwell on it. At 55...
0:35:34 > 0:35:36It's going to sell.
0:35:36 > 0:35:37At 55, all done.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40- Yes!- Fine.- It's good! - That was good, that was good.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42- Yes, I'm quite pleased with that. - I'm very pleased with that!
0:35:42 > 0:35:45Well, that was short and sweet, but it made David's estimate.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48Next up, it's that unloved painting belonging to Jane.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52We've got £400 to £600 on this and you refer to this painting as
0:35:52 > 0:35:55- "Grisly Gresley", because you don't like it?- Not very much!
0:35:55 > 0:35:57I think it's wonderful!
0:35:57 > 0:36:00Hopefully we'll get that top end and I know you think that way as well?
0:36:00 > 0:36:03Well, I'm really hoping and it's a lovely Derbyshire scene.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06He's from a well-known family of artists, the Gresley family,
0:36:06 > 0:36:09and I think it's beautifully painted.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11It's just whether we've got a Derbyshire landscape lover
0:36:11 > 0:36:14in the room today!
0:36:14 > 0:36:18Right, next I have a watercolour by Frank Gresley.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21100, 120.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23140.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25160.
0:36:25 > 0:36:31180. 200. 220.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34240.
0:36:36 > 0:36:37260.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41280.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43300.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45320.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48340.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50360.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53380.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55400.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57420.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59440.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03460.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08480. 500.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11- Wow!- 520.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16520. 540.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20560.
0:37:20 > 0:37:21- Amazing!- 580.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25600.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28- 620.- Brilliant!
0:37:28 > 0:37:30640.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33At 620 on the phone.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36At 620 for the last time.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39- Yes, the hammer has gone down. - That's brilliant!
0:37:39 > 0:37:41At £620! You've got to pleased with that!
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Very! Mum will be very pleased.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46The "Grisly Gresley" has gone, and well done, Kate, for your estimate.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49It's a good price and in the current market when watercolours
0:37:49 > 0:37:53- are a little bit unpredictable, I think it's a fair price.- Yeah.
0:37:53 > 0:37:5552. 100. Seven.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Well, that's it. It's all over for our owners.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01We're coming to the end of another show.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03As you can see, the sale is still going on.
0:38:03 > 0:38:08We did walk the tightrope today, a few close shaves, but in the end, everybody did go home happy and
0:38:08 > 0:38:11that's the name of the game. If you would like to take part in Flog It!
0:38:11 > 0:38:15and you've got some antiques to sell, we would love to see you and hopefully we're
0:38:15 > 0:38:20coming to a valuation day very near you soon, but from Wiltshire, until then it's cheerio.