0:00:05 > 0:00:08Welcome to a special edition of Flog It!
0:00:08 > 0:00:12On this immaculately laid lawn on one of our sunniest evaluation days,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15I came across something that promised to be
0:00:15 > 0:00:19one of the most exciting finds we've ever had in the history of the show.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23Something so exceptional, we've dedicated the whole programme to it.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25What is it? Stay tuned and you'll find out!
0:00:49 > 0:00:53Where does this extraordinary story begin? Balbirnie House
0:00:53 > 0:00:57in the middle of Fife, a beautiful stately home and now a hotel,
0:00:57 > 0:01:01was the venue for one of our valuation days in the summer of 2010.
0:01:02 > 0:01:041890 to 1900.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08With experts James Lewis and Anita Manning on board to value items.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11- They're very cutesie, aren't they? - They're lovely!
0:01:11 > 0:01:17We had a lovely welcome from hundreds of local people who came along with some great objects.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19A wonderful little pair of vases.
0:01:19 > 0:01:25They are, of course, Moorcroft, which is one of my favourites.
0:01:25 > 0:01:31I was not expecting to find a piece of Japanese art here in Fife.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35- What did you use that for? - Well, I wouldn't like to tell you!
0:01:39 > 0:01:41What's your name?
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Lucky?
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Lucky. How appropriate. This day was going to be a very lucky one indeed
0:01:47 > 0:01:49for one man.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52I was doing my usual thing, meeting as many people as I could,
0:01:52 > 0:01:57delving into all their bags and boxes to see what they'd brought in to show us.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Little did I know I was about to uncover the most incredible treasure,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05something I always dream about finding.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08I got chatting to a lovely chap called Tom
0:02:08 > 0:02:12who'd brought along something that his grandfather had owned.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15Let's see the moment where our story started.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21It doesn't get much better than this, does it, everybody?
0:02:21 > 0:02:25We're blessed with gorgeous sunshine, a wonderful backdrop for our valuation day
0:02:25 > 0:02:28and we're surrounded by some superb antiques.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32I've been joined by Tom and I think this has to be
0:02:32 > 0:02:35one of the nicest things I've ever seen on Flog It!
0:02:35 > 0:02:37and possibly one of the most valuable items
0:02:37 > 0:02:39we've ever had on the show.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43- You know what this is, don't you? - It's a libation cup.- Yes.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46Did you know that? It's a ceremonial drinking vessel.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Do you know what it's made of?
0:02:49 > 0:02:51A shell or something?
0:02:51 > 0:02:54- No.- Wood?- Whale bone?- No.
0:02:54 > 0:02:55It's got a grain in it.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58There's a grain detail. Lots of compressed hair.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01But it's in fact, rhinoceros horn.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06Yes. And this dates back to the late 18th century.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09The last quarter of the 18th century.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15Let's talk about the damage. You can see how it was used as a drinking vessel.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19- Yes.- There are one or two chips.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21Bits of damage to the horn.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Here are some mythical beasts climbing the side of the cup,
0:03:24 > 0:03:26terminating into this head.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Half a head is missing there. Can you see?
0:03:29 > 0:03:32But if you turn it over, you can actually see
0:03:32 > 0:03:37the compressed hair and almost the grain of the horn.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40- See that? That's definitely horn. - Uh-huh.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43But look at this wonderful Greek key-cut pattern
0:03:43 > 0:03:47in repetitive form, all around the edge, not just the top edge
0:03:47 > 0:03:49but also on the side.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51- See that?- Oh, yes.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53It's a lovely architectural detail.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57I think that's one of the rarest things
0:03:57 > 0:04:00we've ever seen on the show.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- Tell me about yourself. Are you a local lad?- Yes,
0:04:04 > 0:04:06I'm a local from Glenrothes.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08I've been there all my life.
0:04:08 > 0:04:14I received it down through from my grandfather and great-grandfather.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16Where do you think he got it?
0:04:16 > 0:04:20It's hard to say, since he was all round the world.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25He could have obviously got it in one of the African countries.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Where's it been in your house over all these years?
0:04:28 > 0:04:32This has been many years in a glass cabinet
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- kept in our living room. - So you've been looking after it.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39Of course, it's totally illegal to trade in rhino horn now.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44Totally illegal. This was done back in the 18th century.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Many of them come on the market now.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50They're highly sought-after in the Chinese market.
0:04:50 > 0:04:51The market in the Far East.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57How much do you think that's worth?
0:05:00 > 0:05:02Well, listening to what you've said...
0:05:04 > 0:05:08You've said you think it's slightly valuable.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10A couple of hundred pounds?
0:05:11 > 0:05:13A couple of hundred. Yeah?
0:05:13 > 0:05:15A couple of hundred pounds.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20I've got to be so careful here. We've got to do an awful lot more research.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24OK? But do you know what my gut feeling is?
0:05:24 > 0:05:25It's a lot more than that?
0:05:26 > 0:05:29A heck of a lot more. My gut feeling is this is worth
0:05:29 > 0:05:33eight to £12,000.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Yes.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37I'm not pulling your leg.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39I've seen these in good condition,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42period ones from the 18th century,
0:05:42 > 0:05:44go as high as £20,000.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51There's a lot of money's-worth here.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- Well...- It could be even more.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57It could be even more than eight to £12,000.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59- I'm quite happy!- Quite happy!
0:06:01 > 0:06:04I've always had a sort of inkling
0:06:04 > 0:06:06but all I knew was that it was a libation cup.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- Yeah.- And of course I knew it was slightly damaged
0:06:09 > 0:06:13so that's what stopped me bringing it anywhere before.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- Really?- Yes.- Otherwise you may have tried to sell it on?- Of course.
0:06:16 > 0:06:21Gosh. If somebody had offered you two or three hundred pounds six months ago,
0:06:21 > 0:06:23- would you have taken it? - Probably, yeah.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Oh, dear. This is why it always pays...
0:06:27 > 0:06:32Do you know, I do think the antiques trade in general is very honest.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34No-one's going to take you for a ride.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37But in order to get a proper market value,
0:06:37 > 0:06:42the easiest and purest thing to do is take it to an auction where the public can bid on it.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47The auctioneer will get this on a website that will go all over the world.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52So people in all countries can place their bids.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57We won't even bother discussing a reserve and putting pen to paper at the moment
0:06:57 > 0:07:00because I do need a second opinion on this.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05Let's wait for that. We'll get on the phone to you in a couple of weeks' time
0:07:05 > 0:07:10and hopefully we'll find out exactly what this is worth.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13I can tell you, my heart was racing. I was so excited.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16I didn't want to get Tom too excited at this stage.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20I'd never given such a high valuation in my ten years on the show.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23So we sent the cup to an auction house in London
0:07:23 > 0:07:27who informed me it definitely was Chinese and the best place to sell this
0:07:27 > 0:07:31was a specialist Chinese art sale which was coming up in a few months' time.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Coming up later in the programme,
0:07:39 > 0:07:43does our Chinese art specialist agree with my hopeful valuation?
0:07:43 > 0:07:48We have to remember that there are chips to it and it has sustained some damage.
0:07:48 > 0:07:54I discover why a cup made from rhino horn was so popular in previous centuries.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58There are certain beliefs about rhino horns that it can detect poison.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02As far-fetched as it may seem, there could be truth to this.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07And I find out why Chinese items like ours are such hot property at the moment.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10The Chinese antique, for them, is a brand
0:08:10 > 0:08:14and it's an expensive object to show you've made your money
0:08:14 > 0:08:17and you can afford to collect a status symbol.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24But first, we have to find out a bit more about libation cups
0:08:24 > 0:08:27and why examples like Tom's are particularly well regarded.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Tom's cup, a Chinese carved example,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35might well be described as simply a rhino horn cup.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38It might not have fulfilled a ceremonial function.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41But instead may have been a prestigious item on display
0:08:41 > 0:08:44in a wealthy home, used for honoured guests.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53To find out more about these exotic objects,
0:08:53 > 0:08:58I went to Bath to meet Michael Lee, the curator of the Museum of East Asian Art.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Where do you start? Let's look at a few examples.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Talk me through this one.
0:09:04 > 0:09:10If you invert any of these cups, you see the shape of the rhinoceros horn.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14So if a carver wants to create something out of rhino horn,
0:09:14 > 0:09:19it's almost like he has to consult the shape first and carve according to the shape.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23It's such a valuable material, they save as much of it as possible.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27I've seen some with naturalistic bases with leaves and foliage.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32I guess that's the gnarly parts of the horn that they've left on.
0:09:32 > 0:09:38Absolutely. In some pieces, such as this one, they didn't even bother to carve. Essentially,
0:09:38 > 0:09:42they kept all the nodules and the rough bits
0:09:42 > 0:09:48and then polished it and smoothed it off, so you still get the natural shape of the horn.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50These are 16th-century examples.
0:09:50 > 0:09:56The three back here which are carved tend to be 18th and 19th centuries.
0:09:56 > 0:10:03- So later there's more of an emphasis on carving.- Let's talk about the colours, the tone of it.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Generally speaking, rhino horns will have a lighter, honey colour.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12But much of it is also stained, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- For instance, this piece is quite a dark colour. - That's been heavily stained.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19This has been stained, yes.
0:10:19 > 0:10:24- That one, that's not rhino horn, is it?- No, it's actually made from bamboo.
0:10:24 > 0:10:31I think two reasons why they would have used bamboo to make cups that are reminiscent of rhino horn.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34First of all, because bamboo grows in sections.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38Each section is self contained, so if you cut a section off,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41you get a cup-like form already.
0:10:41 > 0:10:46But also, if you look closely at the internal structure of rhino horn,
0:10:46 > 0:10:50you get a grain in there and you get a similar grain in bamboo.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53It's not meant to be a fake by any means...
0:10:53 > 0:10:55No, it's obvious. It's obvious.
0:10:55 > 0:11:01It's obvious it's bamboo, so this was made in reference to rhino horn cups.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03That's stunning.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- Master craftsmen.- Yes.
0:11:05 > 0:11:11Bamboo is quite difficult to cut because of the nature of the material.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14- At least there's a lot to practise on!- There is, yes!
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Let's look at some other examples.
0:11:19 > 0:11:26So this is another cup that would be similar to the function of a rhino horn cup.
0:11:26 > 0:11:27This is made out of jade.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30It dates to the 11th or 12th century.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35Would you find carvers in rhino horn working in jade and vice versa?
0:11:35 > 0:11:38No. Each material has very specialised carvers
0:11:38 > 0:11:42because you need a lot of technology and knowledge
0:11:42 > 0:11:44according to the material.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49For instance, jade is so hard, you need to abrade it instead of just carving it.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54So that involves a whole set of technology and tools and so forth.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56- A lifetime of skills.- Absolutely.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01Whereas rhino horn sometimes can be shaped by soaking in brine
0:12:01 > 0:12:05and manipulated in certain ways that a jade carver wouldn't necessarily know.
0:12:05 > 0:12:10The craftsmen were very specialised in the material they were working with.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15The prestige of rhino horn as a material
0:12:15 > 0:12:20dates back over 2,000 years to when rhinos once roamed mainland China.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23Their horns would have been used in traditional medicine
0:12:23 > 0:12:25and works of art.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29However, the Chinese tradition of carving rhino horn cups pretty much died out
0:12:29 > 0:12:31at the end of the 19th century
0:12:31 > 0:12:34and now, thankfully, China bans trade in the material.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Why was rhino horn so popular as a material?
0:12:39 > 0:12:43Well, first of all, it was very difficult to obtain.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48Rhinos had died out in China a very long time ago.
0:12:48 > 0:12:53So it had to be imported from either south-east Asia or Africa.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58Also there are certain beliefs about rhino horns that they can detect poison.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03This belief was not only in China. It was prevalent in the Middle East
0:13:03 > 0:13:06and even reached Europe in the 12th century.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Now, as far-fetched as it may seem,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11there could be truth to this.
0:13:11 > 0:13:17Rhino horn is composed of mainly keratin, the same material as is in your hair or fingernails.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22Most poisons are alkali, alkali based.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25So when alkali comes into contact with keratin,
0:13:25 > 0:13:28it actually does have a fizzing effect.
0:13:28 > 0:13:34So it's not so far-fetched to think that rhino horn cups can actually detect poison.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39There are also certain beliefs around rhino horns such as longevity.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42The superstition that rhino horn leads to long life
0:13:42 > 0:13:44dates back thousands of years in China.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47It was first referred to in an ancient Chinese book of poetry
0:13:47 > 0:13:49called The Book of Songs.
0:13:49 > 0:13:54It states that people would visit the palace of their local prince
0:13:54 > 0:13:57on the tenth month of each lunar year
0:13:57 > 0:14:02to offer wine and raise a rhino horn cup wishing the prince a long life.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06Gosh. Michael, thank you so much for spending a bit of time with me
0:14:06 > 0:14:10and explaining all about the libation cups and drinking vessels.
0:14:10 > 0:14:15Well, that was a real treat, seeing so many beautiful and intricate objects.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18But the bonus for me was meeting up with Michael today
0:14:18 > 0:14:22because he's spent his life studying Asian and Chinese artefacts.
0:14:22 > 0:14:28It's his passion. Those two hours that I spent with him, I hope some knowledge has rubbed off on me.
0:14:28 > 0:14:33I now feel more comfortable talking about libation cups and what we're putting into auction.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42But I haven't covered that all-important question about how much they're worth.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44I needed to do some research.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49Just looking at auction results, things in the last 12 months.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Some of them are fetching 15 to £20,000.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55The world record is £3.2 million,
0:14:55 > 0:14:59but they seem to be going all the way back to mainland China.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02I can't help feel excited. I'm on this rollercoaster ride.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06Goodness knows what Tom's feeling. I'm frightened it's not going to sell,
0:15:06 > 0:15:09but at the same time I want it to do 20 to £30,000.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11I want a real shock result.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15You know what auctions are like. It isn't an exact science, as we say.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18I just hope, I just hope it sells.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31Tom's agreed to put the cup into the specialist sale and his sister, Evelyn, will share the results.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33I saw them to find out how they were feeling.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37Tell me more about you both.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40I started work as a television engineer.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Then I joined the army.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46I spent a lot of time in Germany.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48I was in the nuclear regiment,
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- which some things I can't talk about.- Really? Top secret.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Yes.
0:15:53 > 0:15:58- What about you, Evelyn? - I used to work in Thomas Russell's paper mill on 12-hour shifts.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00- Did you?- Yes.- Doing what?
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Just packing the paper and things like that.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05But it was quite heavy work.
0:16:05 > 0:16:11But about eight years ago, I got Parkinson's Disease.
0:16:11 > 0:16:18- So I had to stop working.- Sorry to hear that.- I'm now disabled and work in a local charity shop.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23The valuation day, about six weeks ago. What was going through your mind in the morning?
0:16:23 > 0:16:26I actually thought it would be worth quite a lot
0:16:26 > 0:16:30because I looked it up in an antique book
0:16:30 > 0:16:33and there was one that had sold at Christie's which was similar.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35It had sold for about 5,000.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40- I looked at the photograph and I thought, "That looks like the one we've got."- Yes.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45He didn't think it would be very valuable cos it had a bit of damage, obviously.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49- Did you ever make use of it or put anything in it?- No.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54The thing is it sat in that wall unit for years without you realising what you've got.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56While I was in Scotland,
0:16:56 > 0:17:02I got to hear how Tom and Evelyn think the cup came to be sitting in that cabinet for so many years.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Their grandfather, John, grew up in Scotland
0:17:07 > 0:17:10and inherited a knowledge of antiques from his father.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12The cup may have been found by either of them.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21However, the story told to Tom is a global one.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23John was a painter and decorator,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26and along with his father, bought tickets from Glasgow to New York
0:17:26 > 0:17:30in 1906 to try their luck in the Big Apple.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33After working there, John decided to move to San Francisco
0:17:33 > 0:17:36in the wake of the famous earthquake.
0:17:36 > 0:17:41From the west coast of America, John travelled to Cape Town in South Africa in search of work,
0:17:41 > 0:17:46most likely during a period of racial segregation before apartheid became law.
0:17:46 > 0:17:51The story goes that John shared his food with a black African man who sat behind his bench,
0:17:51 > 0:17:54a gesture that would have been frowned upon.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58It seems that John was rewarded for his humanity with gifts
0:17:58 > 0:18:01and Tom thinks the libation cup was amongst them.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07No matter how it came to previous generations of their family,
0:18:07 > 0:18:11it's clear that Tom and Evelyn are proud of their inheritance.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16Some people have the family silver. You've got a libation cup!
0:18:16 > 0:18:17Yes.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Have you been to an auction before?
0:18:20 > 0:18:23I've only been to one, in Perth.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Did you get the buzz?
0:18:25 > 0:18:27It's exciting watching it on TV,
0:18:27 > 0:18:32but when you actually go to it in the flesh, and see it, it's more exciting.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37- I think I could get addicted to going!- I think so. Well, I'm addicted to it, the atmosphere.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Thing is, we've seen this in the past on this show.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43It depends on the bidders and what they think.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47But it's safe to say eight to £12,000, which is a staggering amount of money.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49What will that sort of money mean to you?
0:18:49 > 0:18:51A nice holiday some place.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54I'll maybe buy a laptop.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59Then you can get on the internet and do some more research about antiques.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01There'd be no stopping me!
0:19:01 > 0:19:06I'm so excited for you, but at the same time I'm so nervous. I am so nervous.
0:19:06 > 0:19:07I think somebody will buy it.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11But who? And just how much will they pay?
0:19:16 > 0:19:21Tom and Evelyn aren't the only ones to find that something they haven't paid much attention to
0:19:21 > 0:19:24is worth a lot of money. We've had quite a few on Flog It!
0:19:24 > 0:19:28Some of the trickiest items to value have been from overseas.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30It's really interesting.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33There's a lot of lots in this next lot!
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Sue's Cantonese porcelain. There's loads of it.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39We've got tureens, vases, plates.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44We're looking for 200 to £300, as Mark put on it on valuation day.
0:19:44 > 0:19:49- Happy with that?- Yes. - I think the buyers are here to spend money so I hope we'll eclipse that.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55It quickly did that, heading over the top end of the estimate.
0:19:55 > 0:19:56500?
0:19:57 > 0:19:59520.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01540.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- It's not going to stop!- 560.
0:20:04 > 0:20:071,000. And 50.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- Do you need a seat? - Against you in the room.
0:20:09 > 0:20:121,250 at the back. 1,300.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13(1,300!)
0:20:13 > 0:20:151,500.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17And 50.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21Against you all at £1,500. Selling.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25Yes! On the phone, £1,500!
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- That's great.- I don't believe it! - That is just great!
0:20:29 > 0:20:32'Joy brought along a needlework box
0:20:32 > 0:20:37'which was Anglo-Indian. She'd bought it in a car boot sale years before.'
0:20:38 > 0:20:41How much did you pay for this?
0:20:41 > 0:20:42- Four pounds.- Four pounds.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Well, shall we add a 0?
0:20:45 > 0:20:47And then add another 0.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52- It's £400.- No!- Base level.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57When it came to the auction, there was an even bigger shock in store!
0:20:57 > 0:21:03- £800. £800. 850. - They're keen. They love it!
0:21:03 > 0:21:051,000. 1,100.
0:21:05 > 0:21:061,200.
0:21:06 > 0:21:12- Yes or no? At 1,200.- It's getting exciting. It's getting hot!
0:21:12 > 0:21:15- Still five people bidding. 1,600. - 1,600.- Give me 17 for it.
0:21:16 > 0:21:192,000. 2,100. 2,200.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22It's against you.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24No? All done at £2,200, then.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Finished? You've got it.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- Well done!- Thank you, Paul! - They gave you a round of applause!
0:21:30 > 0:21:33£2,200!
0:21:33 > 0:21:36I just don't believe it!
0:21:36 > 0:21:41And more recently, Shirley's scarab pendant which she bought for 40p!
0:21:41 > 0:21:44That one really surprised us all in Oxford.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47The Victorian pendant,
0:21:47 > 0:21:49decorated two rearing cobra
0:21:49 > 0:21:51flanking a scarab.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- 560 I've got.- No!
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- 600. 610.- I can't believe it! - It's so beautiful.
0:21:57 > 0:21:591,000.
0:22:01 > 0:22:041,100. And 50.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Shirley, what is going on?
0:22:06 > 0:22:081,600. 1,700.
0:22:08 > 0:22:101,800.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14At £1,800. On the telephone at £1,800. All done at 1,800?
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Wow!
0:22:16 > 0:22:19That's the sold sound. Well done, Shirley!
0:22:19 > 0:22:22I can't believe it!
0:22:22 > 0:22:24£1,800. And how much did it cost again?
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- 40 pence.- 40p! What can you buy for 40p?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30My estimate was a bit out, but I don't care!
0:22:31 > 0:22:35What a great result! Have you got anything like that at home?
0:22:35 > 0:22:40Think about Flog It if you're clearing out your attics and cupboards of unwanted antiques.
0:22:40 > 0:22:46We'd love to see them. Bring them to one of our valuation days. Dates and venues are on our website.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53All the information will be there. We'd love to see you!
0:22:57 > 0:23:02I've touched on the fact that our libation cup is made of rhino horn.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06Now, as an animal lover myself, I bet some of you at home are feeling awkward
0:23:06 > 0:23:10about the fact that such a beautiful antique was made from part of an animal.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15At the time it was made, animal conservation was not a priority.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17Things have changed in recent years
0:23:17 > 0:23:21as poaching and hunting threaten endangered animals.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25That's why strict measures are now in place for the use of animal-based products.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28I think it's worth finding out what these rules are.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32I'm at the Animal Health Offices,
0:23:32 > 0:23:38which is part of Defra, the government department for the environment, food and rural affairs.
0:23:38 > 0:23:43They set the controls in dealing with items made from or with materials from endangered species,
0:23:43 > 0:23:46which affects us when it comes to the antiques trade.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55John, you're head of Animal Health, Bristol. What measures are in place?
0:23:55 > 0:23:59The UK is a signatory to CITES,
0:23:59 > 0:24:02and is one of 176 countries around the world.
0:24:02 > 0:24:07The whole purpose of CITES is to ensure that international trade
0:24:07 > 0:24:10does not further endanger wild populations
0:24:10 > 0:24:13of already endangered species.
0:24:13 > 0:24:18'By the way, CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade
0:24:18 > 0:24:22'in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24'It's been running since 1975.
0:24:24 > 0:24:30'One important rule for legally selling items made from endangered species here in the EU
0:24:30 > 0:24:35'is that they must have been made before 1947.'
0:24:35 > 0:24:39We see a lot of items turning up in our valuation days made of animal products.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44But, thank goodness, they're antiques with provenance, pre-1947.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48Let's just go through that particular law, shall we?
0:24:48 > 0:24:53Yes, certainly. That's the absolute key, that the item has to be pre-1947.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58But it also has to be significantly changed from its original state.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01- To a work of art.- Absolutely, yes.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05So if we take a tea caddy, for example, with tortoiseshell lining,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08obviously that's changed from its state.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12But if we take ivory, and here's a good example in front of us,
0:25:12 > 0:25:17- where we have here... - An elephant tusk.- Yes, which was recovered from the sea.
0:25:17 > 0:25:24- Really?- Yes. That was recovered from The Benine which sank in Liverpool Bay in the 1870s.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28This is unworked and it would be illegal to sell this in the European Union.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Whereas this horn, for example, where you can probably see it's carved...
0:25:32 > 0:25:37- About the same age.- Yes. - But it's been worked.- Absolutely.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40So that could be sold within the European Union legally.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Our item is a libation cup made of rhinoceros horn.
0:25:43 > 0:25:48It's changing, the laws on rhino horn is changing rapidly.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52One's just been introduced, we can't export overseas any more.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55- Correct.- Unless it's works of art. - That's absolutely correct.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58The minister has expressed his concerns
0:25:58 > 0:26:03about the serious state with an increase in rhino poaching
0:26:03 > 0:26:09- fuelled by the belief in some countries that...- It's a medicine for ingestion.- Absolutely.
0:26:09 > 0:26:14- It can be ground down. - Yes, and that's creating a market in its own right.
0:26:14 > 0:26:20As a result of which, we here in Animal Health have imposed a stricter measure
0:26:20 > 0:26:24and every dealer, every person who is intending to sell something
0:26:24 > 0:26:28has to come along with that individual item, a description,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30probably a digital photograph as well,
0:26:30 > 0:26:33and get permission in order to be able to sell it.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37But I think where you have something of genuine artistic merit
0:26:37 > 0:26:39and cultural background,
0:26:39 > 0:26:41there shouldn't be a problem.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46If you have an antique at home and you're unsure is it old or not, is it legal to sell,
0:26:46 > 0:26:50take it to a specialist dealer, an auction room or somebody here at Animal Health.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54- That's right.- Somebody can help. - Always get advice, is the message.
0:26:54 > 0:27:00We've seen lots of interesting items on the show made of things like ivory and tortoiseshell
0:27:00 > 0:27:02which were perfectly legal to own and sell.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06I think we should treasure beautiful antiques and make sure they're kept safe
0:27:06 > 0:27:12for future generations. However, with the knowledge we have now about endangered animals,
0:27:12 > 0:27:16we should support the measures and laws in place that protect them.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Check the provenance before you buy.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Make sure objects are as old as it's claimed.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24And that they can be legally sold.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40It's the day of the auction and I have my fingers crossed for the sale of the libation cup.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46Thinking about it, why has Asian art, and more specifically Chinese art,
0:27:46 > 0:27:48become so popular in the last ten years?
0:27:48 > 0:27:50And what are the key things to invest in?
0:27:53 > 0:27:55The capital is a magnet for Asian art buyers
0:27:55 > 0:28:01because of Britain's long history of Chinese porcelain collecting and our trade links with Asia.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Why is Chinese art booming right now?
0:28:04 > 0:28:08Alistair Gibson is a dealer who specialises in Chinese works of art.
0:28:10 > 0:28:15The Chinese themselves, having come out of the communist era, have money,
0:28:15 > 0:28:19their economy is booming, there are billionaires being made on a yearly basis
0:28:19 > 0:28:25and they can afford now to buy their history and their art back into China.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32The Chinese love branded products
0:28:32 > 0:28:34and this is an extension of that.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37The Chinese antique, for them, is a brand.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41It's an expensive object to show that you have become wealthy,
0:28:41 > 0:28:46you've made your money and you can afford to collect a status symbol.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50Everybody knows about the Ming dynasty vase.
0:28:50 > 0:28:55That's primarily still one of the main collecting areas today, Chinese ceramics,
0:28:55 > 0:28:58and especially Chinese imperial porcelain
0:28:58 > 0:29:01made for the court, made for the emperor.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04That has a very huge following. It's a status symbol, again,
0:29:04 > 0:29:09like talking about the Gucci shoes or Hermes handbag, something like this.
0:29:09 > 0:29:14A good example of Chinese imperial porcelain is this blue and white bowl here
0:29:14 > 0:29:19which was made in the 16th century.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23It's a classic piece of Ming blue and white.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26As you can see, it has the imperial symbol, the dragon,
0:29:26 > 0:29:29with his five claws being displayed.
0:29:29 > 0:29:34I was at Sotheby's this morning and there was a very similar bowl in the Sotheby's sale today
0:29:34 > 0:29:38which made £50,000.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46What advice has Alistair got for collectors with more modest bank balances
0:29:46 > 0:29:49who fancy owning some Chinese porcelain?
0:29:50 > 0:29:53Try and buy the best you can possibly afford
0:29:53 > 0:29:58and an object without any damage if you can afford to do so.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00That would be my number one tip.
0:30:00 > 0:30:05If you still love the object and you don't have bottomless pockets,
0:30:05 > 0:30:08then buy something chipped and cracked and really enjoy it.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22The moment we've all been waiting for is fast approaching
0:30:22 > 0:30:26when we find out what the bidders think our libation cup is worth.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29But first, let's hear more about its prospects.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Chinese art specialist Angela McAteer
0:30:32 > 0:30:35has been looking after our cup ever since the valuation day
0:30:35 > 0:30:39and with her expertise, she'll have some insider knowledge.
0:30:39 > 0:30:45It dates to the 17th/18th century, most probably to the period of Kangxi Emperor
0:30:45 > 0:30:48who was the first great emperor of the Qing Dynasty.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50His reign spanned both centuries.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54He reigned from 1662 to 1722.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57You have on either side
0:30:57 > 0:31:03taotie masks and you've got chilong dragons carved in high relief
0:31:03 > 0:31:06which are typified by their split tails
0:31:06 > 0:31:08and their single horns.
0:31:08 > 0:31:13And their heads poke up over the rim.
0:31:13 > 0:31:18'Remember the damage when we first saw the libation cup?
0:31:18 > 0:31:22'Well, the auction house recommended restoration to Tom and he agreed.'
0:31:22 > 0:31:28We've used a person who is really the top restorer in the country for any organic Chinese ware.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31He's used conservation grade epoxy resin
0:31:31 > 0:31:36and if you looked at it and didn't know it was restored, it would be very difficult to tell.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40'But why does Angela think restoration was the best bet and would it put some bidders off?'
0:31:40 > 0:31:44Well, in offering something like this at auction,
0:31:44 > 0:31:48you really want it to appeal not only to trade buyers
0:31:48 > 0:31:50but to private buyers.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53In recent years we have seen a large number, or a surge in the numbers,
0:31:53 > 0:31:58of private collectors, a lot of whom are buying to put on display
0:31:58 > 0:32:01and want it to look aesthetically very pleasing.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05And virtually all the restoration that's done now can be undone
0:32:05 > 0:32:07should you so wish.
0:32:07 > 0:32:08The really positive thing
0:32:08 > 0:32:11is that the horn hasn't dried out over the years.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15What we often see in Western collections that have rhinoceros horns
0:32:15 > 0:32:20is that they've been put in direct sunlight or near a radiator
0:32:20 > 0:32:25and it really sucks the life out of them and they lose their colour
0:32:25 > 0:32:27and their appeal.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30This has a wonderful lustre and a wonderful texture.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34So it's obviously been kept in a fairly humid environment
0:32:34 > 0:32:37which, over the years, has retained its nice qualities.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42'It sounds like sitting in a cabinet in Scotland for years has been in its favour.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46'But will this specialist work to repair it be worth it?'
0:32:46 > 0:32:49The restoration costs were around £600.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54That amount is deducted from the final proceeds of the sale.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58Really, it may sound like a lot of money,
0:32:58 > 0:33:03but when you think of the difference that it will make in the final hammer price on the day
0:33:03 > 0:33:06I think it's a very sensible investment.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11'So, does Angela have the answer to that all-important question - what's it worth?'
0:33:11 > 0:33:15Whilst it looks like a rhinoceros horn in wonderful condition now,
0:33:15 > 0:33:20we have to remember that there are chips to it and it has sustained some damage.
0:33:20 > 0:33:26So I was quite happy to stick to the eight to £12,000 estimate.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30I am, however, confident that on the day it will far exceed that.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37'Well, for Tom and Evelyn's sake, I hope Angela's right. We can only wait and see.'
0:33:45 > 0:33:48The main gallery is setting up and expectations are high
0:33:48 > 0:33:52especially as the sale is taking place during London's Asian art week.
0:33:52 > 0:33:58Like many of the capital's leading auction houses, they hope serious buyers are in town.
0:33:58 > 0:34:04Some beautiful and high-end examples of Asian artefacts are being sold in the specialist fine art sales.
0:34:04 > 0:34:0713,000, new bidder.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10But the star lot in this sale has to be an imperial jade seal,
0:34:10 > 0:34:14an 18th-century object that was once owned by a Chinese emperor.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17It's small, but it's perfectly formed!
0:34:17 > 0:34:21It's a fantastic object, first and foremost, a great piece of imperial art.
0:34:21 > 0:34:26You actually know that the emperor had that in his hand in an area of the Forbidden City.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30ANGELA: It's an absolute masterpiece.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34Not only its provenance, who it belonged to, but the work of art itself
0:34:34 > 0:34:36is truly spectacular.
0:34:36 > 0:34:41Listen to where the bidding starts for this very special piece.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Somebody like to start this?
0:34:45 > 0:34:48One million pounds for this.
0:34:48 > 0:34:501,100,000.
0:34:50 > 0:34:521,200,000.
0:34:52 > 0:34:541,500,000.
0:34:55 > 0:34:571,600,000.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00One million, nine hundred thousand is the bid.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02Two million?
0:35:06 > 0:35:09Selling it. Two million pounds is down here.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12It's down here at two million pounds.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15Selling it for two million.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17I'm going to sell it for that.
0:35:17 > 0:35:192,100,000.
0:35:19 > 0:35:212,200,000.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25Two million, two hundred thousand pounds.
0:35:26 > 0:35:292,300,000.
0:35:29 > 0:35:312,400,000?
0:35:32 > 0:35:342,400,000.
0:35:34 > 0:35:35Not yours.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Not yours. The bid's down here.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42For two million, four hundred thousand pounds.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46Sold!
0:35:47 > 0:35:50It was very tense in the room.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54There were hundreds of people in there, plenty of spectators,
0:35:54 > 0:35:58so it was very difficult to see what was going on and who was bidding.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01But the final price including our buyer's premium
0:36:01 > 0:36:03was £2.7 million.
0:36:03 > 0:36:09Which for such a small piece of jade was an absolutely phenomenal amount of money.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11So we're absolutely delighted.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15I bet you weren't expecting a seven-figure sum!
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Both buyers and sellers have commission to pay.
0:36:18 > 0:36:23The result shows how buoyant the Chinese art market really is.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27But there's no guarantee our cup will sell.
0:36:28 > 0:36:33I'm outside the auction room and I'm expecting Tom and Evelyn to arrive any moment now.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36I'm feeling really nervous for them
0:36:36 > 0:36:40but, fingers crossed, this is going to fly through the roof.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42This looks like their cab.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45It is. Hello!
0:36:45 > 0:36:47Here's Evelyn here, look.
0:36:47 > 0:36:48Hi. Hello!
0:36:48 > 0:36:51- Great to see you again. - Nice to see you.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53- Are you excited?- Yeah.- Tom.
0:36:53 > 0:36:58- Good journey?- Yes.- Good journey? - It was, yes.- Been looked after?
0:36:58 > 0:37:02- Yes.- Would you like a cup of tea? - That would be fine.
0:37:02 > 0:37:06- We'll find a little cafe.- As long as you're paying!- I'm paying, yes!
0:37:10 > 0:37:13We are literally in the right place at the right time selling this.
0:37:13 > 0:37:19It's Asian art week in London. All the big major auction houses have got an Asian artefacts sale.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23So all the key buyers and all the collectors are here in London this week.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25- Good.- Good, isn't it?
0:37:25 > 0:37:27- Good.- It's going to be good for you two.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30Secretly, what do you think it might go for?
0:37:30 > 0:37:33After what you've said about Asian Art Week,
0:37:33 > 0:37:36and quite a few collectors...
0:37:37 > 0:37:42- I would probably be happy with something about ten grand.- OK.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46You're so laid back, aren't you? So calm about this.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50It's like it's not happening. I don't feel excited, actually.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54- You don't feel excited? - I probably will when I get in there. - I think so.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56- And they start bidding. - I think you will.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Are you going to miss this, Tom, because it was in your house
0:37:59 > 0:38:02in your cabinet for all those years.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Now that it's going, well, I'll miss it.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09I wonder what your past generations of the family would think about us
0:38:09 > 0:38:12bringing it to London and selling it here.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16My mother would probably be quite happy that she's left us something.
0:38:17 > 0:38:23- You know.- Too many of these things lie dormant in people's homes. - That's the beauty of the show.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27I can't wait, personally, to get inside the auction room
0:38:27 > 0:38:29and soak up the atmosphere.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32- Shall we drink up?- Yes. - Where's my wallet?
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Where's my wallet? I think it's in the car!
0:38:34 > 0:38:37- Oh, no!- Where's your purse, Evelyn? - I've not got a purse.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42Well, I can't believe how calm they both are.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45But I think I'm nervous enough for all of us!
0:38:45 > 0:38:48Our lot is getting closer.
0:38:49 > 0:38:523,800. 4,000.
0:38:54 > 0:38:564,800. 5,000.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Doesn't it look good? There's the image in the catalogue.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05Wonderful catalogue. Look at the quality of the printing.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10This is your restored libation cup. The auction house obviously believed in this.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14Something here today, a piece of jade, has gone for £2.5 million.
0:39:14 > 0:39:19Let's hope those heavyweight buyers want to go home with your libation cup as well.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- Fingers crossed.- Exactly. Gosh.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26Crunch time.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31Tom and Evelyn's cup is now going under the hammer.
0:39:32 > 0:39:33Here we go!
0:39:35 > 0:39:37Now we move on to the first of the rhino horns.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40Lot 470.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42Who'd like to start this?
0:39:42 > 0:39:47- £5,000 for it? £5,000. 5,000 is offered. Thank you very much. - We're in.
0:39:47 > 0:39:516,000. 500. 7,000.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54500. 8,000.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56500. 9,000.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59Lady's bid now at £9,000.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01The phones are coming in now. 9,500.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03- 10,000.- Phones in.
0:40:03 > 0:40:0511,000. 12,000.
0:40:06 > 0:40:0813,000. New bidder.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12- 14,000. 15,000 on my left. - Put a smile on your face!
0:40:12 > 0:40:15- 16,000.- She smiled! - 17,000 on the left.
0:40:15 > 0:40:1718,000 against you. 19,000 here.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19At 19,000 now.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21£19,000.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24Against the phones. 20,000, new bidder.
0:40:24 > 0:40:2722,000. 24,000. 26,000.
0:40:27 > 0:40:32- 26,000! I'm tingling! Are you tingling?- Aye!
0:40:32 > 0:40:34£26,000.
0:40:34 > 0:40:39- Oh, come on. Take it. - Two bids in the room.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43- 30,000 behind you.- 30!- £30,000!
0:40:43 > 0:40:4734,000. 36,000 over here.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51- 38,000 standing.- Can't believe it! - £40,000.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53At £40,000 on the left.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56Against the phones, against both the ladies.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58The bid is at £40,000.
0:40:58 > 0:41:0040 grand!
0:41:00 > 0:41:03- 42,000.- 42?- Just in time.
0:41:03 > 0:41:0742,000. It's the lady's bid here. Against the telephones.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10Against you far left and against you standing.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14- 42!- Lady's bid in the centre. £42,000.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16I can't believe it. £42,000.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20No? 42,000. I'm selling it.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Lady here in the Bonhams board room - er, sale room.
0:41:22 > 0:41:2544,000.
0:41:25 > 0:41:31- With the hammer.- £44,000!- One of my Bonhams colleagues over here.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33At 44,000 on the telephone.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37Selling it, then, for £44,000.
0:41:37 > 0:41:42- Quite sure, madam?- I can't believe somebody wants it that badly.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46£44,000. The auctioneer is asking for 45.
0:41:46 > 0:41:51Here's the bid on the telephone at £44,000.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53All done? Sold!
0:41:53 > 0:41:54- Well done!- Thank you very much.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58What's it worth? £44,000.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02Congratulations, Tom. Congratulations. Do I get a kiss?
0:42:02 > 0:42:05What a lovely kiss that was!
0:42:05 > 0:42:06- Happy?- Yes!
0:42:06 > 0:42:11- A great surprise.- Yes, it went for more than I thought it would.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Are you happy?
0:42:13 > 0:42:18- Yeah, yeah. I just don't look happy, but I am.- I know you are.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21I didn't think it would get as much as that.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24You said you'd be jumping up and down if it got 30-odd thousand!
0:42:24 > 0:42:28- Yeah.- I said, "Will you be running around if it does 40-odd thousand?"
0:42:28 > 0:42:32- We got 44 grand!- It went that fast. I didn't get time to run about.
0:42:32 > 0:42:33Yes.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37£44,000. That is what it's worth.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41If you've got anything like that, we'd love to see it at our valuation days.
0:42:41 > 0:42:46I hope you've enjoyed this one-off special. Evelyn and Tom have come down from Scotland
0:42:46 > 0:42:50and it's been the journey of their lifetime. You've had bad news lately?
0:42:50 > 0:42:52Hopefully it will get better and better.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54OK? Bless you.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04The libation cup achieved an absolutely fantastic price.
0:43:04 > 0:43:08There was plenty of competition for it on the phones and in the room.
0:43:08 > 0:43:12For a libation cup of its type and in its condition,
0:43:12 > 0:43:16and that style of carving, it is a very, very strong price.
0:43:16 > 0:43:22Our cup will be returning to Asia, snapped up by a Far Eastern buyer.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26How about that? £44,000.
0:43:26 > 0:43:27I think they're in shock!
0:43:27 > 0:43:29What a day, what a moment.
0:43:29 > 0:43:34This is the icing on the cake for me. Ten years of hard work on the show.
0:43:34 > 0:43:38It just goes to show, you never know what you're going to find.
0:44:01 > 0:44:04Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd