0:00:31 > 0:00:36Welcome to a magnificent Syon House, a few miles from central London.
0:00:36 > 0:00:41The Percy family's private dining room literally dazzles and sparkles.
0:00:41 > 0:00:47For me, this 19th-century William Collins designed chandelier
0:00:47 > 0:00:50literally brightens up the whole room.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55The overall effect of this house is one of unbounded treasures.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59You see wonderful gilded candelabras, gold leaf frames,
0:00:59 > 0:01:03architectural details that have been picked out to enhance
0:01:03 > 0:01:05Robert Adam design.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09It's like walking through Aladdin's cave.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13It's fair to say on Flog It, all that glistens is not gold.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16I've seen my share of glistening objects
0:01:16 > 0:01:18fly through the valuation doors.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22As my little treat for you, I've picked out from the Flog It archives
0:01:22 > 0:01:25some of my favourite glistening objects.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28I hope they brighten up your day.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30MUSIC: "Gold" by Spandau Ballet
0:01:32 > 0:01:38'We begin at Butlins in Bognor Regis, where Charlie Ross
0:01:38 > 0:01:41'met a real gem in John.'
0:01:41 > 0:01:45This is a frightening looking object.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Why have you brought this along?
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- I use it as a prop in my balancing act.- Your balancing act?!
0:01:52 > 0:01:55- Not with this?- Yes. - Do you stand on it?
0:01:55 > 0:01:59No. I balance it on my nose and walk over ladders.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- Here at Butlins? - I worked at Butlins 40 years ago.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05In Clacton and Skegness.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09I entered the National People Talent Competition
0:02:09 > 0:02:12and I won a free holiday.
0:02:12 > 0:02:18- I have got a showing-off bit of paper.- Showing-off bit of paper.
0:02:18 > 0:02:24- Are you called Johnny Pierce?- Yes. - Is that your real name?- Yes. Yes.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27But tell me, you're not English?
0:02:27 > 0:02:30- No. I changed it by Deed Poll. - Did you?
0:02:30 > 0:02:34- I've been over here 70 years. - Good lord!
0:02:34 > 0:02:38I am one of the fortunate people who escaped the Nazis.
0:02:38 > 0:02:44- I came from Berlin in 1938. My father sent me.- In the nick of time!
0:02:44 > 0:02:47- He saved my life. - We'll come to that in a minute.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52- What have we got in here?- After the war, we were living in Tooting.
0:02:52 > 0:02:57And a photo album arrived out of the blue
0:02:57 > 0:03:00with photographs of my grandmother.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03And this was inside, slotted in,
0:03:03 > 0:03:07in the book, stuck in there and it came through...
0:03:07 > 0:03:10- So, smuggled? - Was it smuggled? I don't know.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15The people who sent it to me, I was in touch with them.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19They've all passed away now, and they were actually...
0:03:19 > 0:03:22colleagues of my father, my father worked with.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27They knew him and they knew of his fate and this came in my possession.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32Let's have a look at it. It's a very pretty ring.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Set with three good sized diamonds.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39- Very Deco in...looking.- Yes.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43- 1920s, what I call the Charleston era.- That is. Yes.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47I have to say, I think it's extremely beautiful
0:03:47 > 0:03:52but not necessarily the most commercial, in terms of design.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56People tend to go for plainer rings, single stone...
0:03:56 > 0:04:01- I see.- ..three stone diamond rings, rather than such intricacies.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06- I'd like to put a valuation of 300 to 400 on it.- Very nice.
0:04:06 > 0:04:11With a fixed reserve, below which thou shalt not go, of £250.
0:04:11 > 0:04:16- You happy with that?- Yes. My wife would be happy, the kids, too.- Good.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18We'll put that into the sale
0:04:18 > 0:04:22and you take your balancing act home to practise.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26- John, thank you so much for bringing these in.- Thank you.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31'Did the fascinating story behind John's diamond ring
0:04:31 > 0:04:34'help pull in the bidders?
0:04:34 > 0:04:36'We'll find out soon.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41'First, let me take you to Aldershot where Kate Bliss was dazzled
0:04:41 > 0:04:45'by Marilyn and John's Edwardian silver candlesticks.'
0:04:47 > 0:04:50For me, they ooze style.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53I love them. Tell me where they came from.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57They were originally Marilyn's grandmother's.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01We brought them south during the 1960s.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05They've been lying in the loft for the best part of 30 years.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08- You've never used them?- Never.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11- Never been on the table?- Not at all.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15Just lying in the loft for the best part of 30 years.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- Do you like the design?- Yes.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22- You like them, Marilyn?- Yes. - They're very nice.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26Let me tell you a bit about them. First, they're super quality.
0:05:26 > 0:05:32The designs here are quite crisp. Have you ever cleaned them?
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- Never.- No.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38With silver like this, which has a design in high relief,
0:05:38 > 0:05:43cleaning will smooth down the design over a long period of time.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Eventually, it decreases the value.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50It's after a style called the Adam style,
0:05:50 > 0:05:55after a chap called Robert Adam, one of the leading architects
0:05:55 > 0:05:58in the late 18th century.
0:05:58 > 0:06:04Not only did he design houses, he designed silver to go in the houses.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Let's look at some of the motifs a bit closer.
0:06:07 > 0:06:13We've got pendant swags of husks, a very neoclassical motif.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16We've got rams' heads and, on the base,
0:06:16 > 0:06:20we've got stylised leaves, rather like acanthus leaves,
0:06:20 > 0:06:23and two-handled urns or vases.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26They really shout the neoclassical style.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30What age are they? We've got a hallmark on the bottom.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- Have you any idea?- No.- Not at all.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37Although in the late 18th-century style, they are a lot later.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39If we look at the hallmark,
0:06:39 > 0:06:44that tells me they date from 1901, so they're Edwardian English silver.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49Very heavy. What's happened is the candlesticks have been filled.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53It's usually with lead, which gives them their weight,
0:06:53 > 0:06:55but this is all silver.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57The sconce was made separately.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01If we carefully take it off, we can see
0:07:01 > 0:07:06there's a hallmark which matches the one on the base of the candlestick.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09So we know that was made for this candlestick.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11It would be the same on this one.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15- So, are you changing your minds? Do you still want to sell them?- Yes.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17- Yes.- You want to sell?
0:07:17 > 0:07:20I think a realistic figure for them at auction
0:07:20 > 0:07:23would be to put a reserve at 350,
0:07:23 > 0:07:28- but I would think that they ought to make between £400 and £600.- Wow.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32They're very stylish, in excellent condition.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35I think they'd look fantastic on MY dining table!
0:07:35 > 0:07:40'Kate thought they would polish up rather nicely at auction.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42'Stay tuned to see how well they did.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46'Next, I'm heading back to Northampton,
0:07:46 > 0:07:52'where Marion's beautiful Victorian locket caught Mark Stacey's eye.'
0:07:53 > 0:07:58- You have brought in the most fascinating object today.- Thank you.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02Give us a little bit of the history.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07It was found in my mother-in-law's drawer after my father-in-law died.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11We came across it with lots of other bits and pieces.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16I thought perhaps it's gold, and it's sat in the drawer ever since.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Have you had it tested to see if it's gold?
0:08:19 > 0:08:23No, and it's got no marks, as far as I can see.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27Well, it's an intriguing little thing. It just looks like a locket.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Indeed, that's what it is.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35We can open it up. We've got a lovely little interior cover.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39A little dove of peace engraved on it.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43When you open that up, there is a tiny photograph inside it,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46which is wonderful.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50Intriguingly, on the other side, when we open that up,
0:08:50 > 0:08:54we've got this lovely pierced top for a vinaigrette.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Of course, two explanations.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01When you were walking round the streets of London
0:09:01 > 0:09:05100, 200 years ago, the place stank.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09It was so obnoxious that you kept a bit of smelling salts
0:09:09 > 0:09:13to keep your pecker up, I suppose.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16The other explanation, as this is a lady's one,
0:09:16 > 0:09:20is that during the Victorian period they wore really tight corsets.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24- Oh, right. Yes. - And people often fainted.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29It constricted you, so this was a way of bringing you back round.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34What's very nice about it is, if we open the vinaigrette up,
0:09:34 > 0:09:37we've got this lovely lock of hair,
0:09:37 > 0:09:41which I think belongs to the person in the picture.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45We don't know who this person in the photograph is
0:09:45 > 0:09:48or who the lock of hair belonged to.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51It's a lovely little intriguing object.
0:09:51 > 0:09:57- It's fair to say that it's had a hard life.- It's been well worn.
0:09:57 > 0:10:03A lot of the pattern is a bit rubbed and it's had reinforcement on it.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08- But I've never seen the combination of a love token locket...- No.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13- ..and the vinaigrette. I don't think this is the original chain.- No.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15But a lovely little object.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- Would it be First World War? - Even earlier than that.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21This is a Victorian locket.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25We could be looking as far back as the Crimean War.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30- But coming to harsh practicalities, you've never had it valued?- No.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34I'm going to plump for the auctioneer's cliche.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- Guess what that is.- The 80 to 120?
0:10:37 > 0:10:41You've got it! With an 80 reserve.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- Definitely.- See where it ends up.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49- Would you be happy with that?- Very happy. It just sits in a drawer.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56'But did the locket interest any bidders when it went up for sale?
0:10:56 > 0:11:00'We join Charlie Ross again, this time in Tenby,
0:11:00 > 0:11:05'where he spotted a real treasure in Richard's miniature carriage clock.'
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- Where did it come from?- Well...
0:11:08 > 0:11:11It was found in my father's house. He died ten years ago.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15My wife and I were sorting around his stuff and she found it
0:11:15 > 0:11:18in a cupboard under a lot of linen.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23I'd never seen it before and we know nothing about its history.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- We can tell you all about it. Have you used it?- Oh, yes.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29It works reasonably well.
0:11:29 > 0:11:34I had it on my desk for a couple of years, then it started to lose time.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38I put it back in its box and hid it away.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40I expect to find a carriage clock in here.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43A little button releases the top.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47You can leave it in its case and have the benefit of the clock,
0:11:47 > 0:11:51carriage clock, by just pulling that panel up there.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55There's a slot in the back to put it in.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- Isn't that neat?- Very nice.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02Ah! This is a very special carriage clock.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06It's got three wonderful panels. We'll come to those in a minute.
0:12:06 > 0:12:12The case itself is brass. I expect the case is made in England.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16I expect the movement to be French.
0:12:18 > 0:12:24And the panels that I mentioned are pietra dura - "hard stone",
0:12:24 > 0:12:28literally translated from Italian - they are panels from Italy.
0:12:28 > 0:12:33It's a miniature carriage clock and I think it's absolutely sweet.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38- I can see that there is a little bit of damage on the back panel.- Yes.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43That's an expensive job to do. Somebody will need to repair that.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46Otherwise the pieces of stone will fall out.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48But the side panel is perfect.
0:12:48 > 0:12:53Did you think about the value when you had it tucked away?
0:12:53 > 0:12:55It's a nice looking thing.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59I would say that it has value because it's pretty.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04- But I know that it's not in terribly good condition.- It's that panel.
0:13:04 > 0:13:09I think it would be worth 300 to 500 all day long, in perfect condition.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14I think 200 to 300 is the right estimate. Reserve at 200.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17The auctioneer should work hard on this.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Even if he's got six carriage clocks in his sale,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23it'll be the best in his auction.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28'Time will tell whether that went for as much as Charlie suspected.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32'First, let me refresh your memory with a quick recap.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37'Charlie Ross was convinced that this small carriage clock
0:13:37 > 0:13:41'would make a big impact on the bidders at auction.
0:13:41 > 0:13:46'Kate Bliss thought these silver candlesticks oozed quality.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49'Did they light up the saleroom?
0:13:49 > 0:13:55'Did this locket that Mark Stacey spotted go for gold at auction?
0:13:55 > 0:14:01'And it's Charlie Ross's head on the block with John's sensational ring.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08'The ring is first under the hammer.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11'Let's see how much interest it attracted.'
0:14:11 > 0:14:16Adding a real sparkle to the saleroom - John's diamond ring.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Thank you so much for turning up with that
0:14:18 > 0:14:23and entertaining us with your balancing act stories in Butlins.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Lots of tales here, Charlie.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30- This ring had an amazing journey. It's come back to the family.- Yes.
0:14:30 > 0:14:36- Posted to you. - Yes. Inside a photo album. Cut out.
0:14:36 > 0:14:41- Smuggled, really, into the country from abroad.- Incredible!
0:14:41 > 0:14:44We had a chat to the auctioneer. You don't know this.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- Cliff said, "Totally agree with it. Should do the top end."- Good.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51It's going under the hammer now.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56The diamond ring, circa 1920.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- Where will I start for this one? 300? 200?- Come on.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04I start at 200. 210. 220. 230.
0:15:04 > 0:15:0840. 50. £250 with me.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10260. 270. 280. 290.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13300. 20. 350. 380.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17£380 with me on the book. 400 upstairs...
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- We've done it. - ..420. 450.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24Upstairs at 450. It's in the room. 470.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27500. 520. 550.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29570.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- 600. - Love it!
0:15:31 > 0:15:35At £600. 600. 20 anywhere else?
0:15:35 > 0:15:38Selling upstairs at £600.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Great result! You've got to be happy.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46I'm very happy. My wife's happy.
0:15:46 > 0:15:51Most probably she's fainted already. Got to give her the kiss of life!
0:15:51 > 0:15:54We've only been married 63 years.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58- And still in love.- We are!- Thank you so much for entertaining us today.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00'A shimmering sensation,
0:16:00 > 0:16:05'and well over the top end of Charlie's estimate.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07'Next it's over to Kate in Horsham,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10'to find out whether Marilyn and John's candlesticks
0:16:10 > 0:16:13'created a spark with the bidders.'
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- You're avid auction goers, Marilyn. - Yes.
0:16:15 > 0:16:21I'm sorry to bring bad news, but I've had a chat with the auctioneer.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25You know I was very excited about them and loved them.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29I think they're super quality and we set the estimate at 400 to 600.
0:16:29 > 0:16:35Simon thinks I've been generous and he thinks, in the market here, they might struggle at that.
0:16:35 > 0:16:41So I don't want to dampen your feelings, but the silver market is not what it used to be,
0:16:41 > 0:16:43as Simon said.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48I have to say that my feeling is that quality will stand out,
0:16:48 > 0:16:52but he has cautioned me so I thought I'd just forewarn you.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56- You never know who's here.- If they meet the reserve we'll be happy.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03The very handsome pair of Edwardian Adam-style candlesticks.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07Starting us here at, er...
0:17:07 > 0:17:11420. 440. 460. 480. 520.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13540. 560.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- 580. 600. And 20... - Forget everything that I said!
0:17:17 > 0:17:19..680.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23700. And 20. 720, standing then.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27All done? Selling now at £720...
0:17:27 > 0:17:29£720!
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- What do you think?- It's brilliant.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40- That's better than- I- thought!- Yes! Double what we thought.
0:17:40 > 0:17:46'A fantastic result! Those bygones did some great business.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49'Now to the auction in Market Harborough,
0:17:49 > 0:17:52'to see if Lady Luck shone down on Marion's locket.'
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- It's quite an interesting item. - Ooh, fingers crossed!
0:17:56 > 0:18:00Just about to find out. Why are you flogging this?
0:18:00 > 0:18:06It was found in a drawer when we were sorting out my husband's mother's effects.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11It didn't mean anything to us so we thought we'd come and have a go.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15Hey presto! Here we are on Flog It! Right, let's do our best for you.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18A vinaigrette with hinged covers.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21I'm bid here £65. 65.
0:18:21 > 0:18:2575. 80 and I'm out. At £80. Five.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- 90. Five... - We need to double that 60.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31..120. 130. 140.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33150. 160...
0:18:33 > 0:18:35You're right, Mark, it's so unusual.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38..190. 200. And ten. 220...
0:18:38 > 0:18:40Very keen bidding.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43..Seated at 220. Selling at £220...
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- Fantastic!- That was quite hair-raising.- Must have been gold!
0:18:48 > 0:18:52- We did say. - That was really, really good.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56'A golden result, doubling Mark's estimate.
0:18:56 > 0:19:02'Finally, let's see if Richard's little clock makes big bucks.'
0:19:02 > 0:19:07- £200 to £300 put on this by our expert Charles here.- Spot on.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11We're all hoping for that top end, £300.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15I could see it creeping over top estimate. He said, hopefully!
0:19:15 > 0:19:19This is where the excitement is! Pressure's building right now.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24We're bigging this up but you never know what's going to happen.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26It's going under the hammer now.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30The pretty little late 19th-century gilt brass carriage clock.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- Absolutely stunning. - Significant interest with me...
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- Oh, good.- Great!
0:19:37 > 0:19:40- ..The lowest commission bid is £500. - What?
0:19:41 > 0:19:43600.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47700. £750 is what I have with me.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49May I say £800?
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Is there 800 in the room? Any more?
0:19:54 > 0:19:56With me to be sold, then.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58At £750...
0:19:59 > 0:20:03Straight in and straight out! Blink and you'll miss it. £750!
0:20:03 > 0:20:06- I don't believe it! - It just goes to show
0:20:06 > 0:20:09how individual that little clock was.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13- There's tears in your eyes. - I know. I want it back!
0:20:17 > 0:20:21That sparkling treasure of Richard's made a tidy sum at auction.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23It just goes to show,
0:20:23 > 0:20:27people will go the extra mile for something original.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31Distinguishing between fake and fortune is a science,
0:20:31 > 0:20:33as our experts will tell you.
0:20:33 > 0:20:38When something shiny lands on the table they check for authenticity,
0:20:38 > 0:20:42ask a fellow colleague and look for identification marks.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Take this little silver hand mirror.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48The marks underneath the glass
0:20:48 > 0:20:50tell me when it was made, by the date letter,
0:20:50 > 0:20:54and where it was made by the stamp of the assay office.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56This one, a little anchor,
0:20:56 > 0:20:58tells me it was made in Birmingham.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00It is the real deal.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03To find out more about hallmarking,
0:21:03 > 0:21:07I went to the assay office in Birmingham in 2002.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09This is what I found out.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23I want to let you into a little secret.
0:21:23 > 0:21:28Our experts love valuing silver because it's so easy to identify and date.
0:21:28 > 0:21:34Everything made of precious metals in the last 700 years in Britain has been hallmarked.
0:21:34 > 0:21:40There's only four places you can have things hallmarked. This is one, the Birmingham Assay Office.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46A hallmark is a guarantee of quality.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50It shows the metal has been officially tested by an assay office
0:21:50 > 0:21:54and proven to contain a certain amount of silver, gold and platinum.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59I've brought Sarah's trinket box to show you how the system works.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Hallmarks have been around since the 14th century.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04There have been a few changes
0:22:04 > 0:22:06but if we take antique silver,
0:22:06 > 0:22:10we can really show you how that system works.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12There are usually four marks.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15The first mark to look for is the assay office.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19This tells you which assay office tested the piece.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22An anchor means it was tested at the Birmingham office.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26London used a leopard's head, Edinburgh a castle.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30Sheffield used a crown until 1975. Then the symbol became a rose.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34The next mark proves the metal's up to standard.
0:22:34 > 0:22:39The first standard for silver is sterling silver, 92.5% pure.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42This is marked in England with a lion passant,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45a lion walking to the left with one paw raised.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49The third mark shows the date an item was hallmarked, as a letter.
0:22:49 > 0:22:54Until 1974, each assay office used its own sequence of date letters.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57You had to know which office approved your piece
0:22:57 > 0:22:59before you could date it.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03Between 20 and 26 letters of the alphabet are used.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06When it got to the end, they started again at A.
0:23:06 > 0:23:12To avoid confusion, they changed the A and the shape of the shield in which it appeared.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15This A is a Birmingham mark for 1773.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19This A, also a Birmingham mark, denotes 1798.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23The fourth mark is the maker's mark or the sponsor's mark.
0:23:23 > 0:23:29Every silver smith or factory was allocated this mark, so that an item could be traced back to them.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Usually, it appears as initials,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35but early marks were in the form of a symbol.
0:23:35 > 0:23:40This is Sarah's trinket box. You can just about see the maker's mark.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42It's the Adie Brothers.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47There's also an anchor for the Birmingham Assay Office,
0:23:47 > 0:23:50the lion passant, showing it's sterling silver,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53and the letter A on the right is for 1925.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55To look up hallmarks,
0:23:55 > 0:24:01you can find information at the library, or get yourself a pocket book.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05It's what all the experts use and you can become your own expert.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18'With my pocket book at the ready,
0:24:18 > 0:24:22'I now introduce you to more of my favourite glistening items.
0:24:23 > 0:24:28'Over to Yeovil, where Nick pricked Michael Baggott's interest
0:24:28 > 0:24:31'with his silver hedgehog pin cushion.'
0:24:31 > 0:24:35# Living in a material world And I am a material girl... #
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Nick, you've brought me a bit of Somerset wildlife!
0:24:38 > 0:24:43- Exactly!- Where did this little fellow come from?
0:24:43 > 0:24:45- It was my grandfather's.- Right.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Funny that it's your grandfather's.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51My grandmother died when she was young.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53So it was just my grandfather.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57I see. It is absolutely a lady's item.
0:24:57 > 0:25:02It's a little pin cushion, which is why we have these perforations.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04Imagine this little fellow...
0:25:04 > 0:25:08either a porcupine or hedgehog, I haven't made up my mind.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10We'll call him a hedgehog.
0:25:10 > 0:25:15..full of little pins, and you get the absolute effect of him.
0:25:15 > 0:25:20These little novelties were popular from the late Victorian period
0:25:20 > 0:25:24all the way through, after the First World War, into the '20s.
0:25:24 > 0:25:31- You know that it's been in your family a long time. Any idea when it might date from?- Not really. No.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35- All I know is my grandmother died by 1938.- Right. Right.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39- You know it's certainly before then. - Before then, I would think.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43There we go. We've got a full set of hallmarks.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48The maker is L&S, a good company, Levi and Salaman.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51They worked in Birmingham.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54It is Birmingham and it's 1904.
0:25:54 > 0:25:59- It's...- 1904?- ..a little Edwardian hedgehog. Yeah. Which is quite nice.
0:25:59 > 0:26:06These little pin cushions were made in forms of frogs, kangaroos, lions.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Every animal, I've seen as a pin cushion.
0:26:09 > 0:26:14The little hedgehog is probably one of the more common ones.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Were they mass produced or...?
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Good question. They are mass produced.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23Around its nether regions and over its top, you've got a seam.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27Both parts of that would be pressed in a machine,
0:26:27 > 0:26:32and you basically have two that you'd solder together.
0:26:32 > 0:26:38Then you solder on the little feet, so very easy to manufacture.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42With a little kapok stuffing to take the pins.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46They're quite collectable. Have you any idea what it might be worth?
0:26:46 > 0:26:49I was thinking £20 to £30.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52Where's my wallet when I need it?
0:26:52 > 0:26:54No, they're really sought after.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58The last two or three years, they've shot up in value.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02Something like this I think at auction, even with a little dent,
0:27:02 > 0:27:06which is easy to take out, £100 to £150.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08- Phew!- Fixed reserve of 100.
0:27:08 > 0:27:13It sounds big money. I have seen them, not of this form,
0:27:13 > 0:27:16- make 2,000 or 3,000, so it gives you an idea.- Yeah.
0:27:16 > 0:27:22- We're safe at that, if you're happy to pop it into auction.- I'm happy.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26We'll put him in and see if he shuffles to a profit!
0:27:26 > 0:27:31'Find out whether that silver item delivered a sterling result later.
0:27:31 > 0:27:36'First, here are three gems that I can't resist showing you again.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42'In 2009 in Monmouth, Charlie Ross made Bronwyn's birthday
0:27:42 > 0:27:46'when he valued her multi-gem bracelet.'
0:27:46 > 0:27:48You thought it was worth £10?
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Didn't think it was worth anything at all.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55'But the bidders gave her the biggest surprise
0:27:55 > 0:27:58'when it clocked up a whopping £400 result.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02'In Stroud in 2009, Kate Bliss thought
0:28:02 > 0:28:06'Alison's silver salt and pepper birds were stunning.
0:28:06 > 0:28:11'They didn't go cheap, selling for a sparkling £600!
0:28:12 > 0:28:16'Nigel was captivated by this Knight Bachelor's badge
0:28:16 > 0:28:18'in Huddersfield in 2005.'
0:28:18 > 0:28:23Around this area, it would have been awarded to captains of industry.
0:28:23 > 0:28:28'And it caught plenty of bidders' interest in the saleroom,
0:28:28 > 0:28:32'making £210 when the hammer came down.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36'Back to the rest of my glittering ten of the best.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39'I'm taking you to Melksham now.
0:28:39 > 0:28:45'It was time for tea for David Barby, when he met Gay and Lucy
0:28:45 > 0:28:48'and their Ceylon silverware.'
0:28:48 > 0:28:52- Now, you're Gay and you're Lucy. - Lucy.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54What's the relationship?
0:28:54 > 0:28:57- Mother-in-law.- Mother-in-law, right.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59- Are they all family pieces?- Yes.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03You must have come from an exceptionally wealthy family.
0:29:03 > 0:29:10- What's the background?- My grandparents and great grandparents had a tea plantation in Ceylon.
0:29:10 > 0:29:15- When did they finish with the plantations?- 1950s.
0:29:15 > 0:29:20They started the plantations back in the latter part of the 19th century,
0:29:20 > 0:29:24- into the early part of the 20th century.- Yeah.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26That's remarkably interesting,
0:29:26 > 0:29:32because all this silver dates from round about 1898
0:29:32 > 0:29:34through to about 1915.
0:29:34 > 0:29:40A period when they were probably making a great deal of money
0:29:40 > 0:29:43and investing in family silver.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47They're all quite attractive pieces in their own right.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Particularly the covered cup.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53It's a replica of a Charles II cup.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57If you look at the detail,
0:29:57 > 0:30:00it's got this wonderful acanthus leaf decoration.
0:30:00 > 0:30:05First a polished leaf, then in a chase leaf, which is rather nice.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08The beauty of this is the finial.
0:30:08 > 0:30:13It's all leaves enclosed, and it's pierced all the way through.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15That is absolutely beautiful.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Then we have this arrangement of condiments -
0:30:18 > 0:30:21pepperettes, salts and mustards.
0:30:21 > 0:30:26But the thing I LOVE is this little piece here.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30- I'd like to think this was for place names.- Yes. Yes.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35You'd have a table laid out with one of these at each place setting,
0:30:35 > 0:30:38with the name of the person.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42That's even got glass eyes. It's a good little piece.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45I think that's going to be quite sought after.
0:30:45 > 0:30:50Then we have quite a conventional tea caddy of a Georgian design.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52All these lovely bits of silver
0:30:52 > 0:30:57dating from the early part of the 20th century.
0:30:57 > 0:31:03Price. I think you're going to achieve between £350 and £400.
0:31:03 > 0:31:09But the auctioneer, I'm sure, will separate them into separate lots.
0:31:09 > 0:31:14I think the most important piece for reserve is the covered cup.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16I'd hate that to go under 200.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20- So do we put a reserve of 200 on that?- Yeah. That'll be fine.
0:31:20 > 0:31:25And I think the other pieces we should let run in the saleroom.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29- They'll find their own level.- OK. - You're happy with that?- Yes.
0:31:29 > 0:31:35- Shall I have the pleasure of seeing you both at auction? - No. I'll be on holiday.- Just me.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39- Where are you going on holiday? - Majorca. Perhaps a bit warmer.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43- Don't spend the money in advance! - That's what I want it for!
0:31:43 > 0:31:48- I hope we can guarantee another holiday out there.- I hope so!
0:31:48 > 0:31:50# Hi, ho silver lining... #
0:31:50 > 0:31:57'Did that family silver earn Gay and Lucy enough air miles to get to Majorca?
0:31:57 > 0:31:59'We'll find out a little bit later.
0:31:59 > 0:32:04'It's me up next, as I take you over to Milton Keynes,
0:32:04 > 0:32:07'where Maureen and Derek's rare copper pot
0:32:07 > 0:32:10'really grabbed my attention.'
0:32:10 > 0:32:15I can feel my heartbeat racing right now. I'm ever so excited.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19I know a lot about Newlyn copper. I was brought up in Cornwall.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21I've only had the privilege
0:32:21 > 0:32:27of holding two or three items made by one of the masters, John Pearson.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30When I first saw this... Look at that!
0:32:30 > 0:32:35Signed John Pearson, 1891.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38How lucky are you two?
0:32:40 > 0:32:44Tell me all about it.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47I can remember it from as soon as I can remember,
0:32:47 > 0:32:49in my grandmother's house.
0:32:49 > 0:32:56- What did your grandmother do for a living?- She went into service when she was very young.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00Came from the country to London, to Fulham, and went into service.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04- Working for an important family? - Yes.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08- And they gave her this?- My father says he used to go with her,
0:33:08 > 0:33:11when he was really tiny, and he always liked it.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15And the lady gave it to him, but that's as far as I know.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19- We're talking about 80 years ago. - Oh, crumbs! Yes.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23My dad was born in about 1911, I think.
0:33:23 > 0:33:28- So this was nearly new when they got it.- It must have been.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30- It's not been out of your family. - No.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35- No-one's got their hands on it?- No. - So this is fresh to the market.- Yes.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39This is cracking provenance, absolutely cracking provenance.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43The golden period of the Newlyn Industrial School
0:33:43 > 0:33:46was from 1890 to 1920.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50So this is at its inception, in the very early years.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54The whole school was founded by an artist who gravitated west
0:33:54 > 0:33:57because of the light, the scenery and warm weather.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00He felt sorry for the local fishermen.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Every now and then, the storms were so bad,
0:34:03 > 0:34:08they couldn't go out to fish, so he taught them handicrafts.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12Of course, copper was readily available from the mines.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16They repaired the fishing boats with sheets of copper.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18He thought, "I'll carve some moulds.
0:34:18 > 0:34:24"They can hammer sheets of copper on the moulds and make lots of things."
0:34:24 > 0:34:28That's called repousse work, and you can see the hammer marks.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32All the fishes have come from a mould that's been hand hammered.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34That's one sheet of copper.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37One of the other leading lights
0:34:37 > 0:34:41was John Pearson - definitely a name to look out for.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44You have a piece of John Pearson.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47He took over from John Drew Mackenzie.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51It doesn't get better than this, it really doesn't.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54It's unbelievable that we've had it in our house.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56And didn't know about it.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00Have you had any offers on it? Have you taken it anywhere?
0:35:00 > 0:35:03- Last week.- Before you knew Flog It was coming?
0:35:03 > 0:35:08Well, I almost didn't come because they offered me £60.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12- A dealer or...? - In an antiques shop, yes.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16- Offered you 60 quid?- Yes. And I said, "Oh, no."- I'm stunned.
0:35:16 > 0:35:21Let's put a value on it, a nice broad value, like an auctioneer,
0:35:21 > 0:35:22and I'm going to say...
0:35:22 > 0:35:25£400 to £800.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29- Right. That's lovely. - Ever so excited.- So am I, now.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32With a reserve at 400.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37- Shall we flog it, then?- What do you think?- I'll say yes.- Yes.
0:35:37 > 0:35:42Thank you so much for putting a big smile on my face
0:35:42 > 0:35:45and not just making my day, but maybe my year.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48I've handled a piece of John Pearson!
0:35:49 > 0:35:53'I'll reveal how that did when it went to auction in just a minute.
0:35:53 > 0:35:58'First, here's a recap of my final selection of sparkling stunners.
0:35:58 > 0:36:03'Michael Baggott was fascinated by this prickly customer.
0:36:04 > 0:36:09'David Barby thought Gay and Lucy's Ceylon silver would shine bright.
0:36:09 > 0:36:14'You don't see many of these John Pearson copper pots.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17'Did it turn anyone's head at the auction?
0:36:18 > 0:36:24'First, we're off to Exeter to find out how Nick's pin cushion performed.'
0:36:24 > 0:36:26- It caught your eye.- It did.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30Pin cushions are one of the most saleable bits of small work.
0:36:30 > 0:36:36But you transfixed me with hedge-laying. I want to forget the auction and go lay a hedge.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40- Let's hope the bidders don't find it too prickly a customer.- Ooh!
0:36:40 > 0:36:43It's going under the hammer.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48'The Edward VII silver pin cushion in the form of a hedgehog.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50'I'm assured there's no fleas on it.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55- 150 is bid... - Straight in.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59..160. 170. Commission bid of £170.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02180. 190. 200. And ten.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05220. 230. 240.
0:37:05 > 0:37:10The book is out. Distant bidder 240. 50 will you? Are you all done?
0:37:10 > 0:37:12250. 260...
0:37:12 > 0:37:15- Oh, wow! - Can't stop pin cushion collectors!
0:37:15 > 0:37:19..It's against you. Gentleman's bid at £260.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21Selling... 270. You're back in, madam.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24280, sir? 290?
0:37:24 > 0:37:31Gentleman's bid, then, on the back wall and selling at £280...
0:37:31 > 0:37:36- £280! It's the hedgehog they fell in love with!- It was, indeed!
0:37:36 > 0:37:39- I cannot believe that.- £280.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42I don't believe that. It's just...
0:37:42 > 0:37:46- What a shock!- You think something that small, it's a lot of money.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48In the pin cushion world, it isn't.
0:37:48 > 0:37:54The only thing that held me back was that little dent. That has to be put right.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58It made what it was worth and a little bit more, I think.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01What are you going to do with that?
0:38:01 > 0:38:05Believe it or not, a fox wiped out our chickens the other night,
0:38:05 > 0:38:07so I was going to replace them.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11- Right, OK.- The hedgehog's going to buy some chickens?- Basically.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14'A fantastic double-estimate result.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17'Now to Devizes in Wiltshire,
0:38:17 > 0:38:21'where Gay and Lucy had managed to find even more pieces
0:38:21 > 0:38:25'to add to their silverware collection.'
0:38:25 > 0:38:30We've got Lucy. Unfortunately, not Gay, but Gay's son, Paul, Lucy's husband.
0:38:30 > 0:38:36Now, you've been searching the garden shed, looking for the rest of the silver.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39I'm pleased now we've got a pair of owls.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41That's going to put the value up.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45I had a chat to Alan, and he's split the lots up now.
0:38:45 > 0:38:46We've got four lots.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Salts, mustards, good little lot.
0:38:51 > 0:38:57Somewhere around about £90? 90 I'm straight in.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00- At 90. Is there 100...? - A bit more.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02..At £90, am I done?
0:39:02 > 0:39:05Here's the second lot.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10Next, I've got a very cute little tea box. Very pretty thing.
0:39:10 > 0:39:15£100 again? £100 for this pretty little tea box?
0:39:15 > 0:39:1780, thank you. 80 I've got. 90.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19100? 100.
0:39:19 > 0:39:24110. 115. 120. 125.
0:39:24 > 0:39:29At 125. 125. 130? 130.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31135. 140.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34145? 150.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36155?
0:39:36 > 0:39:40At 150 at the back of the room. At 150...
0:39:40 > 0:39:43Brilliant! We did a little better that time. £150.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47A two-handled cup or porringer.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49I've got three with me.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- Yes, please.- 320.
0:39:52 > 0:39:53340?
0:39:53 > 0:39:58- 360 with me... - Well over £300.
0:39:58 > 0:40:03..At £360. Is there 70, quickly?
0:40:03 > 0:40:05At £360 with me...
0:40:05 > 0:40:09- Yes! £360!- That's good.
0:40:09 > 0:40:14Next, 378, the menu card holders.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17I can start at £100. At 100.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20120. 130. 140. 150.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22155?
0:40:22 > 0:40:24160.
0:40:24 > 0:40:25165?
0:40:25 > 0:40:27160.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29170. At 170.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32At 170. Is there 80? 180, thank you...
0:40:32 > 0:40:36- Good job you found the other one! - ..180 with me.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39Am I done? 180.
0:40:39 > 0:40:43- You've got to be happy with that. - Yeah.- There's commission to pay.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46But that's plenty of spending money.
0:40:46 > 0:40:52- It's my mother-in-law's. - After our appearance fee, there won't be a lot left for her.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56- Well, you've got to ring her up. She's in...- Majorca.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00- Tell her the good news. - Tell her she got £200.- Yes!
0:41:00 > 0:41:04'They really struck gold with that silver.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08'Let's see if that rare John Pearson pot grabbed anybody's attention
0:41:08 > 0:41:13'in Woburn, where Charlie Ross put it under the hammer.'
0:41:13 > 0:41:17Newlyn copper doesn't get any better than this, by John Pearson.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21Quite honestly, it never comes on the market.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25It belongs to Maureen and Derek. I'm so pleased you made it in.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28- It's going to be exciting. - I think so, yes.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32- You were initially offered £50 for this.- 60.- £50 or £60.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37Hopefully, we'll turn that into £600. We've got commission bids.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41We've got the room packed. Let's watch this go, shall we?
0:41:41 > 0:41:43Yeah? Ready? Here we are.
0:41:43 > 0:41:49A copper vase of ovoid baluster form decorated with fishes.
0:41:49 > 0:41:54And I can start at four hundred and...60.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56- 480, I'll take... - It's gone!
0:41:56 > 0:42:00..480. 500. 520?
0:42:01 > 0:42:05550. 580? 600.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09620? 650. 680?
0:42:09 > 0:42:12Your bid. 680 in the room now.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15700, would you like?
0:42:15 > 0:42:17700.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19750? 800?
0:42:20 > 0:42:23Oh! Come on. Come on.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25The bid's against you. 800.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27850? 900...?
0:42:27 > 0:42:31- I love these moments. - ..900? Hurry up!
0:42:33 > 0:42:36At 850. The bid's against you.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39880?
0:42:39 > 0:42:41One more, go on.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43Oh, what a wait! At 850!
0:42:43 > 0:42:48Selling then, at 850... Sold!
0:42:48 > 0:42:52- £850!- Yeah. It's good, yeah.
0:42:52 > 0:42:57- Brilliant. - Ever so pleased!- Yes. We are.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01It's found a new home. Somebody's paid the right price.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03What a special moment!
0:43:03 > 0:43:07That has made my year! A bit of John Pearson Newlyn copper!
0:43:12 > 0:43:15That copper vase was a sparkling sensation!
0:43:15 > 0:43:21It easily reached the top end of my estimate. I'm sure it brightened up Maureen and Derek's day.
0:43:21 > 0:43:25Sadly, there are no more treasures left in my chest.
0:43:25 > 0:43:29Join me again for another trip through the Flog It archives.
0:43:29 > 0:43:33Until then, from the splendid Syon House, it's goodbye.
0:43:51 > 0:43:54Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:54 > 0:43:57E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk