0:00:20 > 0:00:23Hello and welcome to another series of Flog It! Ten of the Best.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28From the stunning surroundings of Syon House, here in West London.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Now, this place is home to some truly magnificent,
0:00:31 > 0:00:33breathtaking antiques.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Everywhere you look, it's pure quality.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38But I think it's pretty safe to say over the years on the show
0:00:38 > 0:00:40when we've travelled around the country,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43we've had our fair share of garish objects
0:00:43 > 0:00:45flooding through those valuation day doors.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47So, for today's trip through the archives,
0:00:47 > 0:00:51I've picked out ten of the ugliest items I could find to show you.
0:00:51 > 0:00:52I know it sounds awful,
0:00:52 > 0:00:55but whatever you do, keep watching, because, as I found out,
0:00:55 > 0:00:59even the ugliest of items can command the prettiest of price.
0:00:59 > 0:01:00Just take a look at this.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07First, we're off to King's Lynn where, in 2007,
0:01:07 > 0:01:10Elizabeth Talbot had a certain amount of sympathy
0:01:10 > 0:01:13for Ken's porcelain devil.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15I don't know why I'm drawn to this chap,
0:01:15 > 0:01:18but I'd like to know all you can tell me about him.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Well, this is the reason I've come to see you
0:01:20 > 0:01:24is because I didn't know what it was or what it was used for, really.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26So, how did you come by it?
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Well, in the early 80s, I was at a little sale,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32and it was in the box with odds and bits.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34It was the other stuff I was more interested in,
0:01:34 > 0:01:36but it happened to be there.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39I think it's curious, but I never had it on display.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42- It would frighten the neighbours too much.- That's true.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44I've never seen anything like him before.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48But I certainly think he scores 10 out of 10 for novelty value.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52- So, he's been locked away... - 25 years in the loft.
0:01:52 > 0:01:53Right, OK.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57- And you suddenly had a Spring clean and decided...- Well, I'm downsizing.
0:01:57 > 0:01:58I'm moving into a flat.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01And it was in one of the boxes and I thought, oh!
0:02:01 > 0:02:04- There you are again! - He's reappeared again.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08Well, what we have here is a piece of porcelain
0:02:08 > 0:02:10- which I believe is German.- Yep.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12The mark underneath is a blue capital N
0:02:12 > 0:02:16printed beneath the Crown, and several factories used that.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18It could be one of the Nymphenburg factories.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21It's a very white, glassy body of porcelain,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24souvenir-wear that Germany was so very good at producing circa 1900,
0:02:24 > 0:02:26give or take a few years.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29So, he's not academically from a good source,
0:02:29 > 0:02:30from that point of view,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33but the features and the modelling are fantastic.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36- Very strong. Very bold.- Yeah.
0:02:36 > 0:02:37He's got inset glass eyes,
0:02:37 > 0:02:41so a bit like the Staffordshire pottery dogs of a similar period.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44- Oh, I know!- And also a bit like some of the teddy bears,
0:02:44 > 0:02:48and gives a really eerie stare, a sort of hypnotic look to him.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Now, what adds to the curiosity, as I'm sure you've seen, is,
0:02:51 > 0:02:55at the back here, we have these two holes.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00And I would suggest they were intended to take an electric flex.
0:03:00 > 0:03:01Yes.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- And a small bulb would be placed inside.- Yep.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08Then, also curiously, at the top of his head, he has a large hole surrounded by little holes.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10If you look up his neck,
0:03:10 > 0:03:12there's a chamber inside his head
0:03:12 > 0:03:16which would take some sort of scented oils or something.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20- So, from the heat of the lamp, aromatherapy was issuing. - Oh, I see.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24I think the larger hole would be where you'd pour in the liquid,
0:03:24 > 0:03:28- and then you'd have lots of holes, like an atomiser.- Lovely.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31The light source inside would shine through
0:03:31 > 0:03:33this semi-translucent porcelain
0:03:33 > 0:03:36- and then, of course, through the eyes a little bit.- Lovely.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38- You'd never sleep, would you?- No.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41It would be nice if something smoked, wouldn't it?
0:03:41 > 0:03:43Yes, it's sort of quite eerie.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46It's quite a niche market, I think.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Would it appeal to Goths or devil worshippers?
0:03:48 > 0:03:51It might, absolutely. A lot of those in the Stamford area.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- You've probably seen...- A little chip. That's always been there.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59- It's got a hairline crack just to his top lip.- Very fine.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Have you any guesstimate as to what you think he might get?
0:04:02 > 0:04:06Got to be worth 20 quid or 25 quid, surely.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09I would think £25-£35, that sort of region.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11A few pints down the golf club.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14So, did that devil make work for idle hands?
0:04:14 > 0:04:17We'll find out later.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22Next it's over to Derby where in 2004 I met John
0:04:22 > 0:04:26and was shocked to discover just how desperate he was
0:04:26 > 0:04:29to flog his stunning Blue John glass bowl.
0:04:29 > 0:04:30How did you come across this?
0:04:30 > 0:04:33It's been in my garage for some years.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36I used it for...not knowing that it was Blue John,
0:04:36 > 0:04:40I used it for petrol, for washing car parts.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Do you know how valuable this is?
0:04:43 > 0:04:45I hope they'll tell me it is.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47And you've been putting oil in there,
0:04:47 > 0:04:49and putting your brush in there,
0:04:49 > 0:04:51and cleaning the nuts on the motorbike?
0:04:51 > 0:04:52Right.
0:04:52 > 0:04:53I don't believe it!
0:04:54 > 0:04:56It's perfect. There's no chips in there.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Actually, that's quite nice. It's beautiful.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- Well, you know, this mined locally, don't you?- Yes.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05It's almost got that beautiful deep purple to it.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07Yes.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Isn't that stunning?
0:05:09 > 0:05:11So, how long have you had this?
0:05:11 > 0:05:14- 10 years.- 10 years?- Car boot.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16A car boot?
0:05:16 > 0:05:18How much did you pay for it at a car boot?
0:05:18 > 0:05:21A few quid, probably £3, I should think.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23At maximum, that was.
0:05:23 > 0:05:24OK, well, look.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28Last year, I saw little bits of Blue John being mined,
0:05:28 > 0:05:30polished and cleaned up like the pendants,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33the little brooches, rings, small pieces.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36And they were making £30-£50 each.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38Sometimes £70 if the colour was right.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40Now, the colour is bang on here.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Chatsworth House is full of this stuff.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46- Right.- And a piece recently sold at auction last year,
0:05:46 > 0:05:47it was a tabletop.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49A little bit smaller than this.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52And I think it made somewhat in the region of about £170,000.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53Right.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56I would like to put an auction value of this,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59- bearing in mind you only paid £3 for it...- Yes.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02..I think this is worth £300-£400.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Right.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07- Would you be happy with that? - Yes, I would.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Have you got any more in the shed full of oil?
0:06:09 > 0:06:12I shall have a look now you've said that.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14And now you know it's worth £300-£400,
0:06:14 > 0:06:16don't you want to keep it?
0:06:16 > 0:06:18No.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21It doesn't light me up.
0:06:21 > 0:06:22It doesn't light you up?
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- It doesn't float your boat? - No, it isn't a pretty thing, is it?
0:06:25 > 0:06:27- Oh, I think so.- You do?
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Yes, especially if you can get the light on it.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Put it on a glass shelf and underlight it,
0:06:31 > 0:06:33maybe in a sort of contemporary setting...
0:06:33 > 0:06:35It doesn't go with anything else I've got.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39I think this is quite special and we should protect it with a reserve.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Let's put £300 reserve on at the bottom end of the estimate.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- OK.- And hopefully watch it fly away.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50I still can't believe that John was so underwhelmed by that bowl.
0:06:50 > 0:06:51I thought it was beautiful.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Over to Tenby now, where in 2008,
0:06:58 > 0:07:03Kevin and Karen's extraordinary desk tidy caught Philip Serrell's eye.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Kevin and Karen. Whose is this?
0:07:07 > 0:07:09- It's mine.- It's yours?
0:07:09 > 0:07:10- And you want to sell it?- I do.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13So it's his, but you want to sell it. How does that work?
0:07:13 > 0:07:15I'm just getting my own way again.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- Again?- Again. - Is this the story of your lives?
0:07:18 > 0:07:21No, not really. Well...sometimes.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- So, this is yours, yes?- Yes. - Where did it come from?
0:07:24 > 0:07:27It was my grandfather's, and when I was a kid,
0:07:27 > 0:07:29it was always in their house in the entrance hall.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Some hooligan over the years... I wouldn't say ruined it,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36but, boy, have they done some damage to it. Do you know how?
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- I think that my be my fault. - What, you're the hooligan?
0:07:39 > 0:07:44Well, as a child, it was my job to clean it with brasser.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Why didn't you go the whole hog and use the scratch brush?
0:07:47 > 0:07:49I was 10 years old at the time. I knew no better.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Can you remember cleanings this initially
0:07:51 > 0:07:54- and all of this was silver?- No.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57- It never looked silver? - It never looked silver to me.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59Well, let's start from the beginning.
0:07:59 > 0:08:00- These are rams' horns.- Yes.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05And a lot of these are Scottish,
0:08:05 > 0:08:08and you see them with big snuff mulls
0:08:08 > 0:08:12or a centrepiece to a adorn a big sort of baronial Scottish dining table
0:08:12 > 0:08:16from about 1850s through to about 1900.
0:08:16 > 0:08:17This is quite late, actually.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20It's probably around 1900-1905.
0:08:20 > 0:08:21The fittings, and we start off
0:08:21 > 0:08:25with this sort of quite sweet little circular clock up the top,
0:08:25 > 0:08:26and then we've got our...
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- BELL CHIMES - ..our bell.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31And I wonder whether that's to ring someone
0:08:31 > 0:08:33to come and collect my post,
0:08:33 > 0:08:37- because this is actually a desk tidy.- Yes.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39So it would have sat on your writing desk.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42And your inks would have been in here.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44And can I just show you something?
0:08:44 > 0:08:47You know you said you never remembered this being silver?
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Can you just see there?
0:08:50 > 0:08:52That's silver.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Or it's the plate.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57You're not entirely guilty, but you haven't improved it.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- Can you imagine all this in bright silver?- Would've been fantastic.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Magnificent. Absolutely magnificent.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06And so these are your inkwells.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08Pen tray here.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10A magnificent dolphin mask.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12It's a really good looking thing.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14I think it's quite a nice thing,
0:09:14 > 0:09:16and I think it's quite a funky thing.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19But the reason why I couldn't live with it
0:09:19 > 0:09:21is because of what you've done in the past.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24I think if all of this was beautifully silver-plate,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26it would look a whole different proposition.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29And then could be worth £1,000 or more.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32I think, as it is, this is worth £300-£500.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34That's my view.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37I think you need to put a reserve on it of £300,
0:09:37 > 0:09:38an estimate of £300-500.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41You might have a result in the saleroom with two people...
0:09:41 > 0:09:43You've got to want to own it.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Oh, yeah.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51'So, did this truly vile item make a fearsome fortune in the saleroom?'
0:09:51 > 0:09:55'Now it's over to Hartlepool where, in 2007,
0:09:55 > 0:09:58'I was given the heebie-jeebies when I had to put a price
0:09:58 > 0:10:01'on Dorothy's rather gruesome surgeon's kit.'
0:10:04 > 0:10:07Dorothy, thank you so much for coming in
0:10:07 > 0:10:10and bringing me some wood, some mahogany, it's a bit of tree,
0:10:10 > 0:10:12or is it Pandora's box?
0:10:12 > 0:10:14Is there something frightening in here?
0:10:14 > 0:10:15You'll have to open it and see.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- There is, isn't there? - Yes, indeed.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21It's a bit of a horror movie. Here we go.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25Da-da!
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Look at that.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30Now that really does put the creeps up you, really.
0:10:30 > 0:10:31Just a bit, yes.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33It's a field surgeon's kit.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Oh, is it?
0:10:35 > 0:10:36Wow.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38This is definitely early 20th century,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41I would say around 1910, 1920s.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44It would have been used in the First World War.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Oh, right.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Although I'm beginning to think,
0:10:48 > 0:10:49after looking at it a few minutes,
0:10:49 > 0:10:52that, well, I'm hoping,
0:10:52 > 0:10:54I'm really hoping that it was never used.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56It's all still very sharp.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59The tools are very sharp and they're very clean.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01I don't think it's seen a lot of wear.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Many things haven't been taken out.
0:11:03 > 0:11:09It's not had that wear you'd expect from something in the 1910s, 1920s.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11I think it was taken on campaign in the First World War
0:11:11 > 0:11:14and hopefully not used.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Brought back,
0:11:16 > 0:11:18put in a cupboard somewhere and forgotten about.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22I really do. Until it surfaced with your husband.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24How did he come across it?
0:11:24 > 0:11:27He got it from a colleague, who gave it to him
0:11:27 > 0:11:32because he knew that he would be responsible for this small mortuary.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35What did he do for a living, your husband?
0:11:35 > 0:11:38He was the chief environmental health inspector for the city of Ripon.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Would he have used any part of this equipment?
0:11:41 > 0:11:45No, I wouldn't really like to think about what they've been used for.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Not very nice.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49No. It's going to give you nightmares,
0:11:49 > 0:11:52don't think about what they used for.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54I wouldn't even say what I'd brought in case they got
0:11:54 > 0:11:57fazed out by it.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Let's pick up the most obvious one, shall we?
0:12:00 > 0:12:02- The most gruesome one?- Yes.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06This is definitely for amputation, isn't it?
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Oh dear.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11That is sharp. There's about seven teeth to the inch there,
0:12:11 > 0:12:15that would rip through anything. There is a maker's name.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18It's an English maker, and it's Allen & Hanbury.
0:12:18 > 0:12:23It's not the best quality surgical instruments I've seen and handled.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27Yeah. I presume it's all stainless steel so it could be sterilised.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Yes, and it won't rust.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Gosh.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36It does make me feel slightly queasy handling these. Oh.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Not the sort of thing every house should have?
0:12:39 > 0:12:41It's not, but I tell you, a lot of collectors
0:12:41 > 0:12:43will be interested in this.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47So what have you done with it for the last few years then?
0:12:47 > 0:12:50It was in my husband's office until he passed away.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Then it was put in the dining room under a table.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55But I have grandchildren now.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57You didn't want to let them find it?
0:12:57 > 0:13:00No, I don't want them to go and find it.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03Value. What do you think they're worth?
0:13:03 > 0:13:05I've no idea.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09I'd like to put them into the auction with a value of £100-200.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- Right.- I don't know if you're happy with that?
0:13:12 > 0:13:14Er, yes, I think so.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- Can we do that?- Yes, I would, yes.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22- Hopefully we'll get the top end. Shall we flog it? - Yes, please.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26'We'll find out if Dorothy's kit cut it at auction soon.'
0:13:26 > 0:13:28'But first, let me give you a quick summary
0:13:28 > 0:13:32'of my first line-up of ghastly items.'
0:13:32 > 0:13:36It turned Elizabeth's head, so we'll see if there was hell to pay
0:13:36 > 0:13:40when Ken's devil head came up for auction in King's Lynn.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44John couldn't stand his Blue John bowl,
0:13:44 > 0:13:46but did it catch someone's eye
0:13:46 > 0:13:50when it went under the hammer in the saleroom in Matlock?
0:13:50 > 0:13:54Kevin and Karen's ram horn desk tidy was the stuff of nightmares.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56But, for one plucky bidder at auction,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59it was their dream come true.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04Dorothy's field medical kit would have given Dr Crippen
0:14:04 > 0:14:05a run for his money.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09So, was there anyone at auction brave enough to chase after it?
0:14:13 > 0:14:16'First, let's see how Ken's demonic head fared
0:14:16 > 0:14:20'when it entered the saleroom in Stafford.'
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Coming up right now, a little devil.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24And it belongs to Ken.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27A bit of fun, this, £20-30 hopefully, hopefully a bit more.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29- That's what we looking for. - Whatever.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32You'll either love this or hate it.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35I had a chat to Kate, the valuer, and we both thought, it's funny,
0:14:35 > 0:14:37we laughed at it, but wouldn't have it in our house.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39It's a quirky thing.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41We talked about this on valuation day, saying,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44there is a section of the market who would have it in their house.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Fingers crossed they'll be here.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48I think goths or devil worshippers.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52Hang on, let's just check the saleroom for goths
0:14:52 > 0:14:54or any devil worshippers or goths in here!
0:14:54 > 0:15:00569 it is the grotesque porcelain model of a devil's head.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03That is so spooky, I don't like it.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Five quid. Five, I'm bid. At five only.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09I sell at five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. 10.
0:15:09 > 0:15:1212. 15. 18. 20. 22. 25.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14It's gone. It's not going home, Ken.
0:15:14 > 0:15:1638. 40. 45. 50.
0:15:16 > 0:15:1955. 60. 65.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22You don't look traumatised, owning it for the last few years,
0:15:22 > 0:15:23that's a good thing.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27At 85. 90. At 90.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29Hold it up higher, the lady can't see.
0:15:29 > 0:15:3195, madam.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33I sell the little devil's head then at £90.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Are you bidding?
0:15:35 > 0:15:38All done at £90.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40It surprised me.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42You are very surprised.
0:15:42 > 0:15:4490 quid. What are you going to put that towards?
0:15:44 > 0:15:48I did say that I was going to buy the lads a drink at the golf club.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50It's a big drink.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55Mind you, the way the lads drink, that won't last long anyway!
0:15:55 > 0:15:56'An awesome result.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58'Almost trebling is this estimate.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01'Next, it's over to Matlock to see
0:16:01 > 0:16:06'whether John managed to find a loving home for his unwanted bowl.'
0:16:06 > 0:16:09We came up to Derbyshire and found some Blue John, brought in by John.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12A gorgeous little bowl. And I had a chat to James earlier.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15I put three to four on this.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18And, thankfully, James, the auctioneer, agreed.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- Right.- We're hoping we're going to get mid estimate.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26- Right, yeah. - Excited about that?- Very.- Very!
0:16:27 > 0:16:29This very pretty little Blue John bowl,
0:16:29 > 0:16:31got a lovely vein going through it.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35Good colour. And, £300 for it, please?
0:16:35 > 0:16:36300?
0:16:36 > 0:16:39250 if you want to start it.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42250 bid, sir. With you at 250. 270.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44270. 290.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47300. 300. 320.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49320. 340. 340.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52360. 360, 380.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Let's watch it fly.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57420. 420, 440.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59440, 460? At 440, sir.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02460 is it?
0:17:03 > 0:17:06At 440.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09440. Are you happy with that?
0:17:09 > 0:17:11- Very. Yes.- £440.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13Yes, that's very good.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15'He may have thought that bowl was ugly,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18'but the £440 it made topped my estimate.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21'So I'd say that was a pretty good result.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24'The my head's on the block once again,
0:17:24 > 0:17:26'as we go over to the saleroom in Newcastle
0:17:26 > 0:17:31'to find out if Dorothy's medical kit managed to lure in the bidders.'
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Right now, we've got a field surgeon's kit coming up for grabs.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38£100-£200. I'd like to see it do that £200 like I said,
0:17:38 > 0:17:39plus a little more.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42We're keeping our fingers crossed.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45It's going under the hammer right now, this is it.
0:17:47 > 0:17:52I'm bid, straight in at 240.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56240. 250. 260.
0:17:56 > 0:17:57Carving up the saleroom.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01At £260, anybody else?
0:18:01 > 0:18:05260. 270. 280.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07At 280. I'll take a fiver.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12At £280, for the last time. 280.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Yes, £280.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17Guess what the money's going towards?
0:18:17 > 0:18:21It's a dormer window, that's what you want.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22I like a window.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25You've got a lookout on a good view, haven't you?
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- It puts the value of the house up. - Does it? Don't tell the council!
0:18:29 > 0:18:34'At £280, that surgeon's kit delivered a razor-sharp result.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40'It's truly vile, so let's see if that desk tidy
0:18:40 > 0:18:44'managed to cut a dash in the saleroom in Carmarthen.'
0:18:44 > 0:18:45It really did catch his eye.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50I totally agree with his valuation as well, £300-500.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52We're going to find out exactly what Carmarthen
0:18:52 > 0:18:55thinks of the desk stand. Here we go, ready?
0:18:55 > 0:18:59Start with 500? Four? 300?
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Three? Two? Two I'm bid. At £200.
0:19:01 > 0:19:02At 200, 200 bid.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06At 200. 220. 250 to the lady. 250.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10280. 280. At 300, £300 I'm bid.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12Well, we've sold it.
0:19:12 > 0:19:17At 320. 350. 380. At 380.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20Four, is it? 400, £400 I'm bid.
0:19:20 > 0:19:21And 20, 420.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23This is good.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26480. 480. 500.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28500 bid.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30At 520. 550.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32550. 580.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34I can't see who's bidding but this is great fun.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36At 580.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38They love it, absolutely love it.
0:19:38 > 0:19:39At 580. 600 on the telephone.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42At 600. 620.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45620 bid. 620. 650.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49680. 680 bid. At 680. 700.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Fantastic price.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53720 bid. At 720. 50.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56750. 80. 780.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58780. 800.
0:19:58 > 0:20:0350. 850. At 850. 900.
0:20:03 > 0:20:09900 I'm bid. And 50. 950. At 950.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Against you there, at 950, in the room.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15Are you all done? It's going to be sold at £950.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17Crack!
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Big massive great big wallop down with the gavel.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22£950.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26I have to say, I'd rather have 950 quid.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31So would I!
0:20:31 > 0:20:32These guys would as well!
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Those ugly antiques ended up
0:20:39 > 0:20:42making their owners a frightful fortune at auction.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45But all that's nothing compared to what I'm about to show you.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47On a visit to Woburn in 2003
0:20:47 > 0:20:49I saw some really eye-watering antiques.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53In fact, every time I think about it, it still gives me nightmares!
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Here in Woburn, behind these pretty exteriors,
0:20:59 > 0:21:02lurks something a little sinister!
0:21:02 > 0:21:04And it's not for the faint of heart.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Be afraid, be very afraid.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12Christopher Sykes and his colleague Sally have built a business
0:21:12 > 0:21:16selling small, functional and often eye-watering antiques.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23But what they specialise in is enough to make a grown man wince!
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Oh, you'd better come in.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39It's a case of "don't try this at home" with most of these items.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48This is not for the faint-hearted collector, really.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50It looks like something that Dr Crippen
0:21:50 > 0:21:53or even Jack the Ripper might have used.
0:21:53 > 0:21:54And they look gruesome.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56But they are part of our social history
0:21:56 > 0:21:59and they are precision instruments.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01Now, how did all this start?
0:22:01 > 0:22:04We've always dealt in scientific instruments.
0:22:04 > 0:22:05Telescopes, microscopes.
0:22:05 > 0:22:10And the medical instruments just came along with them because they are,
0:22:10 > 0:22:14as you say, precision instruments which collectors adore.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Have you become an expert on these? Do you like this sort of thing?
0:22:18 > 0:22:21I do like them. Yes, I do. Because they were beautifully made.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25They were made for a job, and a job they did very well.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27Who collects this sort of thing?
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Doctors, museums, all sorts of people.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34Well before I ask you for any sort of demonstrations on how they work.
0:22:34 > 0:22:35Yes?
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Are they highly collectible?
0:22:37 > 0:22:40What sort of prices would somebody be paying for these things?
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Oh, the price range is right across the board.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Ranging from something that's probably £10,
0:22:45 > 0:22:50going up to this wonderful surgeon's box which is £6,500.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55It was made around the Crimean War, about 1850 in date.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58And was owned by a surgeon.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02His name is actually on the top of the case here,
0:23:02 > 0:23:04and that is Hugh Eccles Walker.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Beautifully made, isn't it?
0:23:06 > 0:23:09It is, even down to the serrations in the saw
0:23:09 > 0:23:14which stop the saw clogging when they were amputating an arm.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17But, it is really complete.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Which are the top names to look out for? Who should we collect?
0:23:20 > 0:23:21There is Weiss.
0:23:21 > 0:23:27They really were marvellous instrument makers, makers to royalty.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32And there's Moore as well who, again, made for royalty as well.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36Those are just two of many of them the medical instrument makers.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Talk me through this tool and tell me what it was used for?
0:23:39 > 0:23:44That one, literally, you have the spike to start the hole.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47The spike goes into the skull. And you literally turn it.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49I can see it, like a corkscrew.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Yes. Like a score corkscrew.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55This is what's known as a Japanning instrument.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59And, if you had a problem with your head,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01they would actually use this
0:24:01 > 0:24:05to withdraw a small portion of your skull.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08But, a lot of pain.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Ooh. I'd say.
0:24:10 > 0:24:11No anaesthetic.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16I've got to show the viewers this.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Look at this tool roll.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Now this looks very familiar to all of us.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Sheer pain. Tell me about these?
0:24:24 > 0:24:27They are American dental tools, obviously.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31And, they are, as you say, gruesome.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34They'd make your eyes water. But they are complete.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36And obviously the dentist rolls them up,
0:24:36 > 0:24:40- puts them away at the end of the day. - How much would a set like that cost?
0:24:40 > 0:24:44They would be about £80, those ones.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Talk me through this then?
0:24:46 > 0:24:50Well, these are forceps for helping give birth.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54And, as most women who are watching the programme will know...
0:24:54 > 0:24:57- Be cringing!- ..cringing and their eyes will be watering!
0:24:57 > 0:24:59But, collectible.
0:24:59 > 0:25:04And made around about 18... no, sorry, about 1920, 1930.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07And a price tag of £48 on them.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10That's right, yes. Not something you'd hang in your sitting room.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- It certainly isn't. - No, it is not!
0:25:13 > 0:25:15But interesting for a collector.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19Sally, there's a corkscrew on the table, what's this all about?
0:25:19 > 0:25:23Well, now, if you were feeling a little under the weather,
0:25:23 > 0:25:25the doctor would come along, and he'd say,
0:25:25 > 0:25:28"There, there, dear."
0:25:28 > 0:25:32"I think a glass of champagne each day would do you good."
0:25:32 > 0:25:35So you didn't want to open a whole bottle each day.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38So you had your champagne tap,
0:25:38 > 0:25:42which you put the spike in the bottom.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45You literally put it through the cork.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48The spike falls to the bottom of the bottle,
0:25:48 > 0:25:54and you could then draw off, tap off one glass, two glasses at a time,
0:25:54 > 0:25:56without losing the fizz for the next day.
0:25:56 > 0:26:02How very clever. And that is £95, and it's circa 1890.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05I'll stick to keeping a silver spoon in the neck of the bottle.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07I'll stick to drinking a bottle!
0:26:07 > 0:26:10I should have said that, shouldn't I?
0:26:21 > 0:26:25From chilling to charmless, as we go now to Warrington
0:26:25 > 0:26:27where, in 2006, Nigel Smith went potty
0:26:27 > 0:26:30for this peculiar-looking Padfoot pot.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38Coming to this part of the world, I thought, we might see this pottery.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40This is the only piece that's cropped up today.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44- That means it must be a bit rare, mustn't it?- Right.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49- Tell me how you came across it? - It was always at my grandma's.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51And, just after she died,
0:26:51 > 0:26:54I just thought, it's really old and really ugly. I can't stand it.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56You can't stand it, good!
0:26:56 > 0:26:59So I just thought it must be valuable.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02It's reasonably valuable I suppose.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05It's had quite a short life, this factory.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08- It was actually made in Birkenhead. - Right.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12This is made by the Della Robbia Pottery,
0:27:12 > 0:27:14art pottery, in Birkenhead,
0:27:14 > 0:27:19which was founded by a chap called Harold Rathbone in 1894.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23It finished in 1906. So there wasn't an awful lot of it made.
0:27:23 > 0:27:29They really concentrated on classical majolica finishes, glazes.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30OK.
0:27:30 > 0:27:36So it's a mix of art nouveau and 15th, 16th century majolica.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40The name, Della Robbia comes from that 15th century,
0:27:40 > 0:27:43early 16th century family of potters.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Turn it over, and we can see the mark.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49There's a little ship there. "DR" for Della Robbia.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52And then the date, 1896.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55One little point to note, it's got a little chip,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58- someone's been careless with it. - Yeah. Not me.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01There's a little knock on it. It is made of earthenware
0:28:01 > 0:28:06with quite a thin tin glaze on it.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08So it's quite a soft and vulnerable pottery.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11But very, very collectible now.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13So, amazing, isn't it?
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Yes, very.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16In terms of value,
0:28:16 > 0:28:19I think we'd be a little bit cautious because of the damage,
0:28:19 > 0:28:24- and say maybe someone around about £150, maybe £200.- OK.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27- Would you want a reserve on it? - Yes. 100.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29- 100?- Yes.- Well, I'd certainly buy it for £100,
0:28:29 > 0:28:32so we must be safe with that because I'm mean.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36So, I think it's going to make a little bit more than that.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39- OK, fingers crossed.- It's sought after and very collectable,
0:28:39 > 0:28:40so I'm glad you brought it in
0:28:40 > 0:28:42- and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.- Good.
0:28:44 > 0:28:49But before I bring out the next part of my grotesque collection,
0:28:49 > 0:28:53I've one or two truly unsightly items for you to feast your eyes on.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59This majolica was in a shocking state
0:28:59 > 0:29:02but it tickled Michael Baggott's fancy.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04I think this has to take the biscuit.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08What have you been doing to this wonderful bit of ceramic?
0:29:08 > 0:29:10Not a lot, really.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13Sadly, its condition did let it down at auction
0:29:13 > 0:29:17and it failed to tempt anyone into taking it home.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21Rosemary hated her Victorian wall mount
0:29:21 > 0:29:24and begged Mark to help her get it off her hands.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26I don't like it.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29It's been wrapped in bubble wrap under my bed.
0:29:29 > 0:29:30That's a shame, isn't it?
0:29:30 > 0:29:33Because it's meant, of course, to go on the wall.
0:29:33 > 0:29:34But beauty is in the eye of the beholder
0:29:34 > 0:29:37and it managed to double Mark's estimate,
0:29:37 > 0:29:41flying out of the sale room with a fearsome £200.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45And Cheryl's Punch and Judy figures were hideous enough
0:29:45 > 0:29:48to give everyone at Bangor valuation day the blues.
0:29:48 > 0:29:49Nobody likes them.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52- And you don't like them either? - No, not really.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55But at auction, they certainly cheered Cheryl up,
0:29:55 > 0:29:58with a double estimate result of £190.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Back to my next rogues gallery of revolting objects
0:30:06 > 0:30:08and we're over to Weston-super-Mare
0:30:08 > 0:30:12where Michael Baggott was clocking up the value on Fred's unwanted
0:30:12 > 0:30:14Victorian redwood timepiece.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18You might have done yourself an injury today
0:30:18 > 0:30:20bringing this into Flog It.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22It's a hefty beast.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Can you tell me, where did you get it from?
0:30:24 > 0:30:28I brought it at auction about five years ago.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31Are you a clock collector, or is it something...?
0:30:31 > 0:30:34No, just took my fancy on the day, really.
0:30:34 > 0:30:35Well, I've got to be honest,
0:30:35 > 0:30:38it took my fancy when I saw it on one of our valuation tables.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42We've got, to all intents and purposes,
0:30:42 > 0:30:47if we do that, a standard marble mantle clock.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49And if we look at the name there,
0:30:49 > 0:30:52we've got "Charles, Nephew & Co, Calcutta."
0:30:52 > 0:30:54That's interesting to me
0:30:54 > 0:30:57because they're actually a firm of silversmiths.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00And they were set up around about 1820
0:31:00 > 0:31:03and carried on through 1850, 1860.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06But, as I say, it's quite ordinary,
0:31:06 > 0:31:10and it's quite sad with that little bit of metal holding the hinge in,
0:31:10 > 0:31:12until we move down to this dial here
0:31:12 > 0:31:17which is something you really don't expect to see on a mantle clock.
0:31:17 > 0:31:22And we've got a full calendar dial with a moon phase.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26And it can be reset at the back, so you can basically tell the day of the week,
0:31:26 > 0:31:29the day of the month,
0:31:29 > 0:31:33which month it is, and the phases of the moon.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36I haven't seen another clock like this,
0:31:36 > 0:31:40so I'm assuming...there were probably others made,
0:31:40 > 0:31:45but they weren't either popular or they weren't viable to produce.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47They were just slightly too expensive.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51What made you, struggling with it today, to bring it in?
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Well, basically, this morning my wife said,
0:31:53 > 0:31:55"Are you going to take the clock?"
0:31:55 > 0:31:58Is it not something that your wife particularly likes or...?
0:31:58 > 0:32:00Not too keen, I don't think.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04I think you're probably under instructions to sell it, are you?
0:32:04 > 0:32:06- Certainly am.- Right.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08I think...
0:32:08 > 0:32:11if I can be rude, what did you pay for it at auction?
0:32:11 > 0:32:13I paid 300 for it.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16Now, it does need a little bit of work,
0:32:16 > 0:32:18just a little bit of cleaning up.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20But it's a very interesting piece.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24Mantel clocks traditionally are very hard sellers.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28- 60, 80, £100 for a Black Slate.- OK.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31I think this has got enough things going for it
0:32:31 > 0:32:36for us to get you your money back and maybe a small profit on top.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40- So if we put it into auction at 300-500...- OK.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43put a fixed reserve of £300,
0:32:43 > 0:32:47and hope that the clock and watch specialists are there
0:32:47 > 0:32:51and are as enthralled by this calendar dial as I am,
0:32:51 > 0:32:54- and it could go on from there.- OK.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56- So, are you happy to do that? - Very much so. Thank you.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00We'll be back in a tick to see how that monstrosity went down.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04First, we're off to Bury St Edmunds,
0:33:04 > 0:33:08where Brian's plates gave David Barby quite a scare.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11I'm so intrigued by these, Brian.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14Where did you actually get them from?
0:33:14 > 0:33:18Well, they were given to my mother about 60 years ago.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20Her neighbour didn't like them.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24So my mother took a liking to them, and my mother died,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27and, of course, I kept them, but I've never liked them.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29Did you hang them on the wall?
0:33:29 > 0:33:31No, my mother did.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34So, where did you keep them?
0:33:34 > 0:33:36- In the loft.- In the loft?
0:33:36 > 0:33:37So, you must have covered them up
0:33:37 > 0:33:40because they're not encrusted with dust.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42Oh, no, I covered them up well in a box.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44That's the problem with these.
0:33:44 > 0:33:49If you have them out on display, they do get rather grimy with dust.
0:33:49 > 0:33:50And they're hard to clean.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52Well, I think they're absolutely super.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54They look devastating from a distance.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57Some people say, "Oh, they're ugly."
0:33:57 > 0:34:00Why I like them is because it's the potter's art.
0:34:00 > 0:34:05He was able to replicate nature in such a detailed manner.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07- Were they handmade?- All handmade.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11All handmade. The actual pots were made on a wheel.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14Then all these were modelled individually
0:34:14 > 0:34:18and I love all the detail, particularly the sliminess.
0:34:18 > 0:34:23You can almost have a sensation of them being wet and moist.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26Particularly this one here, with the fish and eel.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28Extremely well done.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30Then you've got the lizards there. Beautifully coloured.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33Well, it must have took a lot of time.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37For a skilled potter, probably not too long,
0:34:37 > 0:34:39but the end product is incredible.
0:34:39 > 0:34:44Also, when you look at this sort of grass or seaweed effect,
0:34:44 > 0:34:48that was all hand produced and it's shredded clay.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51They had to apply that by hand, the creatures on top.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54Then the coloured glazes were painted in by hand.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57Those glazes are very similar to majolica glazes
0:34:57 > 0:35:00which were popular during the 19th century.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02These are 19th century.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06They're copying a French potter by the name of Palisse
0:35:06 > 0:35:11who produced ware similar to this in the 17th century.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13That's going back.
0:35:13 > 0:35:1717th century. There was a revival by Portuguese potters
0:35:17 > 0:35:21in the 19th, and they were selling to well-off tourists.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25They would bring them back as novelties, to hang on the wall.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27I think they're super, they're very fashionable now.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30In the last month, the people I've shown them to
0:35:30 > 0:35:33have said they'd never seen anything like them.
0:35:33 > 0:35:34They should watch Flog It!
0:35:34 > 0:35:36Well, yeah.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39We've had several come up for sale.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41Before I tell you about the price,
0:35:41 > 0:35:43I would point out there is certain damage.
0:35:43 > 0:35:44Yes, I understand that.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47But I think they could be done.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50That's termed as a nibble. It's quite a big nibble,
0:35:50 > 0:35:52it's a huge bite. This one's nibbled on the edge here.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55I note when I felt this one,
0:35:55 > 0:35:58there's been restoration on the corner and also on the head.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01The overall effect is there, they're not split in half.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04You've got to expect that, the age they are.
0:36:04 > 0:36:05Absolutely.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08I'm sure if you hadn't put them in the loft, they'd have got worse.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10- Oh, yes.- Yes.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13If these go up for sale, I would like to see a price range
0:36:13 > 0:36:18in the region of about £300-400, that sort of price range.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22and I think the auction house might say, because of the damage,
0:36:22 > 0:36:24that they want a reserve at 280.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28- Would you be happy with that reserve?- Yes.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30You just want to get rid of them.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32Well. They're no use to me.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37Before we see how this line-up of atrocious items performed
0:36:37 > 0:36:42when they went to auction, let me give you a quick recap.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46This little Padfoot pot was old and ugly,
0:36:46 > 0:36:50but did it make big bucks at auction?
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Fred's wife hated this Victorian redwood clock,
0:36:53 > 0:36:56but at auction you will see that more than a few bidders
0:36:56 > 0:36:58were struck by its allure.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01Brian thought his ornamental plates were unsightly
0:37:01 > 0:37:02and a total nightmare to clean,
0:37:02 > 0:37:05so let's see if they mopped up a good price,
0:37:05 > 0:37:09as we head over to the saleroom in Diss.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11'He might not have loved them
0:37:11 > 0:37:15'but Brian still wanted to protect them with a higher reserve.'
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Go on, tell us what you've done, because David doesn't know.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20I went into the library and looked at the book,
0:37:20 > 0:37:24and it says £600,
0:37:24 > 0:37:26£550 each.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30As a price guide, each plate, £500.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32So what have you left on each plate now then?
0:37:32 > 0:37:34Or on the whole lot, we've got four plates?
0:37:34 > 0:37:38- £600.- £600 as a fixed reserve.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41I think they're startling. I love them, as Paul does, because
0:37:41 > 0:37:44- they're a potter's delight. - They're quirky. They're Victoriana.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46A wonderful example of a potter's art.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50We'll just have to see if somebody else here gets the same sensation.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53- It's basically down to the people in the room.- Absolutely.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13I'm afraid there has been a change of estimate.
0:38:13 > 0:38:19They are now estimated at 600 to 800. I'm going to start at £380,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22Where's 400? 400, 420.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24450, 480.
0:38:24 > 0:38:29480, where's 500? 480 now, where's 500?
0:38:29 > 0:38:31500, 520.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33550, 580.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36600 and I'm out!
0:38:36 > 0:38:38On the left at 600, do I see 20?
0:38:38 > 0:38:40For your money at £600, do I see 20?
0:38:40 > 0:38:44I'm selling for £600!
0:38:44 > 0:38:48- The hammer's gone, we didn't have to worry in the end.- That's true.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52And you haven't got to cart them home, clean them and wrap them up.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55- All's well that ends well, really. - That's right.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Not a shocking result,
0:38:57 > 0:39:01but at least Brian managed to shift those ugly plates.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05Next we're off to the saleroom in Knutsford to find out
0:39:05 > 0:39:11if Raynor's unsightly Padfoot pot stamped out a good price.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14This next lot has got to go because it is so ugly.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18And, I didn't say that, it's owner, Raynor did.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20There's a bit of local interest
0:39:20 > 0:39:23because it's Birkenhead, just down the road.
0:39:23 > 0:39:28A Padfoot pod, if you had the choice right now, 200 quid or the pot?
0:39:28 > 0:39:31It's got to be the 200 quid, hasn't it? Me, as well.
0:39:31 > 0:39:32What would you do, Nigel?
0:39:32 > 0:39:34- I'd have the pot. - You'd have the pot.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37- See, he'd have the pot. - I like it, it's scarce stuff.
0:39:37 > 0:39:38It is, actually.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40- It was grandma's, wasn't it? - It was, yes.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43What are you going to do when you replace this pot?
0:39:43 > 0:39:46I'm either going to put it towards my wedding dress
0:39:46 > 0:39:48or I'm going to buy a picture I like.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50- OK.- It's definitely going to be something.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52So you're getting married?
0:39:52 > 0:39:54- Next year, yeah. Well, soon-ish. - Soon-ish.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57356, Della Robbia vase.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01150 to start me...
0:40:01 > 0:40:05Is bid, 160, 170, 180. No, 180 with me.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Any more? 190 on the phone.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12At 190, is it 200? 200 here, 210.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15220, 230.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18240, 250.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21260, 270.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24280, 290.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27300, 320.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32340... 360.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35- This is fantastic. - 380, 400.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39420? £400 on this phone.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42At £400, at 400 and we're all done, are we?
0:40:42 > 0:40:46At £400, any more at 400?
0:40:46 > 0:40:50- Yes, the hammer's gone down, £400! How about that?- Fantastic.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52You've got to put that towards the wedding dress.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55You've got to look so gorgeous on that special day.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57Thank you so much for coming in.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00- Thank you.- I've just got to ask Nigel one question now.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03Would you take the Della Robbia pot or the 400 quid in cash?
0:41:03 > 0:41:05400 in cash, I think.
0:41:06 > 0:41:11That was one outrageous fortune, doubling Nigel's estimate.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16We're heading over to Somerset now for our last lot,
0:41:16 > 0:41:20Fred's unwieldy, Victorian clock.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24I've never seen the perpetual calendar segment in a clock before,
0:41:24 > 0:41:26so it's pretty much a guess in the dark for me.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28What attracted me to it was the retailers,
0:41:28 > 0:41:34who are Indian-Colonial silversmiths, that's why I had to do it!
0:41:35 > 0:41:37What it makes is anybody's guess.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39We'll just have to see when it comes under.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41We'll find out right now, Good luck.
0:41:41 > 0:41:47Lot 360 is the perpetual calendar mantel clock.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50Quite a mouthful there, what can we say? A lot of clock.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52- A lot of clock, Fred.- Not half.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55300 I'm bid. 350 I'll take.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- 350, 400. - It's gone straightaway.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01450, 500, 600, 700, 800.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03- What?!- 900, 1,000.
0:42:06 > 0:42:091,050, I'll take 1,100.
0:42:10 > 0:42:131,000 in the room. And 50?
0:42:13 > 0:42:151,200?
0:42:15 > 0:42:19- Fresh bidder in at £1,150. 1,200?- Incredible.
0:42:19 > 0:42:24All done, selling at £1,150.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27Unbelievable! Yes!
0:42:27 > 0:42:31- 1,150! That's just amazing. - It's fantastic.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36Gosh, you're right, Michael, quality always sells.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39If you'd have known it was that rare, would you want to keep it?
0:42:39 > 0:42:43- No, I think we were keen to get rid of it.- OK.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46- So, very happy with the result. - And spend the money on the house.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50- Spend the money on my wife, actually.- Oh, right, OK.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52A little present for her.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00Now I know Fred's wife thought that clock was very ugly,
0:43:00 > 0:43:05but I bet she found the price it sold for at auction very attractive.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08It just goes to show, eyesores can sometimes mean high scores,
0:43:08 > 0:43:11especially when it comes to the saleroom.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14If you've got any ugly antiques that you don't want,
0:43:14 > 0:43:17hiding in your attic, or in your cellar, we'd love to see them.
0:43:17 > 0:43:20Bring them along to one of our valuation days and we'll help you
0:43:20 > 0:43:22find a new home for them.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24Sadly that brings us to the end of the show.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26Thank you for joining me on our little trip
0:43:26 > 0:43:27through the Flog It archives.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31Do join me again soon but, for now from Syon House, it's goodbye.
0:43:31 > 0:43:34Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:34 > 0:43:37E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk