0:00:02 > 0:00:05Hello, I'm Eric Knowles. This is the programme where you can find out
0:00:05 > 0:00:09if those damaged heirlooms and treasures can be restored back to their former glory
0:00:09 > 0:00:12- 'and make you some money at auction.'- 1,004.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Find out how much on Restoration Road Show.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25Here we are at Burghley House in Lincolnshire.
0:00:25 > 0:00:30It's a stunning setting for our Restoration Road Show, and what makes it unique
0:00:30 > 0:00:35is its team of in-house restorers, who work across a variety of ongoing projects.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38These independent experts operate out of workshops
0:00:38 > 0:00:42in the stable courtyard, and can be called upon at any time.
0:00:43 > 0:00:48'And our restorers have joined their ranks today to check out your dusty and damaged treasures
0:00:48 > 0:00:52'and maybe bring back some of the sparkle.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56'And what everyone wants to know is, how much are they worth?'
0:00:56 > 0:00:59If this was in really good, neat order, and I wanted to go into a shop and buy one,
0:00:59 > 0:01:03they're going to charge me probably £600 or £800 for it.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05'Should they be cleaned up and restored?
0:01:05 > 0:01:11'And will they end up back home, or make some money at auction?
0:01:11 > 0:01:17'Coming up, I go weak at the knees for a 17th-century snuff box...'
0:01:17 > 0:01:19I really want to fondle that.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Do you think I should see a doctor?
0:01:21 > 0:01:25'..Roger reveals the worst culprits for breaking antiques...'
0:01:25 > 0:01:27I like grandchildren, they bring me lots of work.
0:01:27 > 0:01:32'..and will Rod get stitched up by a Victorian sewing box?'
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Without that silk it'll put a lot of pressure on me,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37and this grey beard will get a little bit greyer, I think.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46The good people of Lincolnshire are arriving today with carloads of treasures.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49There's a pot with a bit of history to it.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53We're never sure what's going to emerge from your attics or cupboards
0:01:53 > 0:01:56but our restorers are always ready to advise.
0:01:56 > 0:02:01This painting's been rolled up, which is not the best thing to do to canvas paintings at all.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05'I've got my hands on a lovely Georgian snuff box.
0:02:05 > 0:02:10'It's been in John West's family for many years and it's a delight.'
0:02:10 > 0:02:13I see a few names on here and a few dates.
0:02:13 > 0:02:19- And everybody's called Fowler. Family name?- No, it's not.
0:02:19 > 0:02:25My grandfather was the last parish tax collector in Lingfield, in Surrey.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29His predecessor, I think, the tax collector before him, was a Fowler.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34And I believe that the last Mr Fowler gave it to my grandfather.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Probably around about 1925, 1930.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41All right. So it's been in the family for quite some time.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46But the earliest date I can find on here... We've got 1802...
0:02:46 > 0:02:501851... Oh, 1711.
0:02:50 > 0:02:521711. That's going back a while, isn't it?
0:02:52 > 0:02:54- Mm. - That really is going back a while.
0:02:54 > 0:03:00My wife and I looked at it some months ago and we thought, what a sad object it is.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05And it obviously has a lot of love over much of its lifetime,
0:03:05 > 0:03:09and we did wonder whether we could find somebody to give it a good home.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14At first glance, you think it's going to be carved wood, but put it to the light
0:03:14 > 0:03:18and it's semi-translucent, and you can see that it's actually tortoiseshell.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23Since the 1970s, the trade in tortoiseshell has been tightly regulated.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26But in its day, it was highly prized.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31I think an auction house would probably quote £200 to £300, in this condition, anyway.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36And it goes without saying, when you find them in tip-top condition they can fetch an awful lot more.
0:03:36 > 0:03:37But this one isn't up to snuff.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41It needs some expert care to get it back to full health and ready for auction.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45Lucky for us, Rodrigo Titian is on hand.
0:03:47 > 0:03:54With a lifetime of experience specialising in decorative objects, not much fazes our Rod.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58But even he was taken aback when he saw the name on the base.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00The John Fowler I know,
0:04:00 > 0:04:06- he was the reason why my father came to England from Italy and started off his business...- Really?
0:04:06 > 0:04:09..restoring. So I have...
0:04:09 > 0:04:13It's as if I have John Fowler blood running through my veins, kind of thing.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17That's how I feel about John Fowler. So seeing this now really excites me.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19'That's amazing.
0:04:19 > 0:04:25'Let's hope Rod can harness all that passion, skill and craftsmanship to help this sad little beauty.'
0:04:25 > 0:04:31The hinge, or the hinge area, is obviously, as you know, a bit damaged, a little bit loose here.
0:04:31 > 0:04:36We can tighten the hinge mechanism up a tiny bit just to secure it a bit more.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Also, in fact, the finish itself is a bit grubby.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44I'm going to do the old saliva test in here, and you can see straightaway,
0:04:44 > 0:04:48- it will actually come up a little bit better.- Working with these restorers,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51I mean, the first minute they can spit on something, they do.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53They say, oh, it's the enzymes, Eric, you know.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58If we were to give it just a light clean,
0:04:58 > 0:05:04no repair work of the hinge area there but just tightening up the clasps, if anything,
0:05:04 > 0:05:09so it doesn't rock like that, you're looking at about £100, to do that.
0:05:09 > 0:05:15If we were to actually bring back that tiny bit of tortoiseshell there,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18then I'd say a further...
0:05:18 > 0:05:22£80, to do that. So you're bringing it up to about £180 now.
0:05:22 > 0:05:28Once restored, if you do everything, it could be worth up to £400 plus.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32This is food for thought.
0:05:32 > 0:05:38I'm quite comfortable with conserving it,
0:05:38 > 0:05:43- to make it as it is, looking better. - Yes, OK. I can see where you're coming from.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47If we were just to tidy up, literally just tidy it up a little bit but leave it as it is,
0:05:47 > 0:05:51and just do the rest of the work, it's still acceptable.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53No-one's going to really be too bothered by that,
0:05:53 > 0:05:57if the rest of it is a little bit more aesthetically pleasing,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00and that's probably a good route to go.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03John's decided not to go for the full restoration.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07He's going to get the clasp tightened and have it cleaned and polished.
0:06:07 > 0:06:14As Rod says, it's looking a bit grubby, so in its current state it's worth around £200 to £300.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17But with Rod's restoration at £100,
0:06:17 > 0:06:19it could fetch up to £400 at auction,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22something not to be sniffed at.
0:06:22 > 0:06:28So, Rod, it's time to polish up your act, show this little snuff box some much-needed love,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31and help it really shine at auction.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39In fact, looking at some of the walking wounded here today, it's a good job our restorers
0:06:39 > 0:06:46have come prepared, with blowtorches, paintbrushes and a trailer-load of tools sharpened
0:06:46 > 0:06:50and ready to deal with anything and everything that's put in front of them.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52You have to remove it from a piece that has
0:06:52 > 0:06:58the same age as the piece that you're working on,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00otherwise it doesn't match and it looks silly.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Next up, Keith Slater is desperate for a bit of help and advice.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08He's arrived with some 1970s Italian porcelain, which he bought
0:07:08 > 0:07:15for quite a lot of money, but now he's what you might call a bit snookered.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Everyone watching is going to recognise this as
0:07:18 > 0:07:24a piece of Capodimonte because it's such a collectible type of porcelain
0:07:24 > 0:07:27and very, very popular. Any factory can now start up
0:07:27 > 0:07:31and use a Capodimonte name, and some of them do.
0:07:31 > 0:07:37But this one, I see, has the mark here. It looks like a cast from a chess set.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40That's Bruno Merli's mark.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44His factory is very highly regarded, so it is a good piece.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47So tell me, where did you acquire this?
0:07:47 > 0:07:52I acquired it in 1982 from a Capodimonte sale, which they had in Sutton.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57Obviously delighted, because it reminded me of when I was younger.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00It reminded you of your lost youth playing billiards in various bars
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- up and down the country, no doubt? - Yes.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06But these players have clearly hit a problem, so, Roger,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09we need you to have a shot at getting play started again.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13Roger Hawkins is more of a pot man than a cue expert, but after
0:08:13 > 0:08:17a lifetime working with ceramics, he can turn his skill to most things.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21So come on, Roger, these poor chaps are desperate for a game.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25I left it at my in-laws' and they let their grandchildren play with it.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28I like grandchildren, because they bring me lots of work.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33They're always breaking things, so I have no objection to them at all.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37So how much did you pay for it? Can I ask?
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- £800.- 800.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- Did your wife know that?- No.- No.
0:08:42 > 0:08:48Mm, that's quite a hefty sum, Keith, and the bad news is that it's
0:08:48 > 0:08:51currently only worth about £80 to £120.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55But on the plus side, I'm sure it can be restored, and that's what you really want.
0:08:55 > 0:09:00But what's the score when it comes to the question of cost?
0:09:00 > 0:09:06To restore these cues and put them in better condition
0:09:06 > 0:09:09would probably be around £50 to £60.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13So what do you think? Do you think it's worth spending the money on it?
0:09:13 > 0:09:17I think so, yes. It would be like a labour of love, and I want to keep it.
0:09:17 > 0:09:23So Keith paid £800 for this piece and is spending £50 to £60
0:09:23 > 0:09:25on getting it fixed.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Once repaired, this Capodimonte
0:09:28 > 0:09:31could fetch up to £300 at auction.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33But Keith's not looking to pocket any money.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36He just wants to get the lads back on the table.
0:09:36 > 0:09:43So, Roger, it's game on. Mix that glue and match that paint and see if you can chalk up another success.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49Coming up, two silver candlesticks arrive, but are they a pair?
0:09:50 > 0:09:54The shop put them up on the shelf, and he just happened to get them mixed up.
0:09:54 > 0:10:00And, will this 300-year-old snuff box be in with a sniff when it goes to auction?
0:10:04 > 0:10:08We're privileged to be here in the magnificent grounds of Burghley House.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12As for me, well, I'm enjoying the opportunity of meeting so many Lincolnshire folk,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15who have done us proud.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18I'm intrigued to know where you got it?
0:10:18 > 0:10:21I bought it from a bric-a-brac stall.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26If I wanted to pick that up from a gallery, they're going to charge me £500 for it.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- How much?- £500.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33The restorers are working flat out to keep up with it all,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36and this next treasure is an absolute delight.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Liz Rother has brought in a late Victorian walnut sewing box,
0:10:40 > 0:10:42that's been in her family for a few generations.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47This box originally belonged to my great grandmother,
0:10:47 > 0:10:48and she's 21 in the picture.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52She got married in the November of the same year that the box is dated, 1873.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55This his her who's probably been inscribed here?
0:10:55 > 0:10:57I think this is her on the box, yes.
0:10:57 > 0:11:03- Lovely.- I believe the box was passed down to the eldest daughter of each generation.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07I received it when my mother died, my mother died very young, at the age of 56.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09She passed it on in her will to me.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11I see.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16That's why I love it, of course. I in fact have a daughter who will eventually inherit it as well.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19'But this is one poorly heirloom.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22'It will take an expert to help the interior regain its silky luxe.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25'Over to you, Rod.'
0:11:26 > 0:11:28It's lovely that you have this quilted top on
0:11:28 > 0:11:32the inside here, that's actually in perfect condition to be honest.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- It's a beautiful, vibrant blue. - It really is.- It's lovely.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- I'll give you an idea of the restoration aspects, and the costs involved.- OK.
0:11:40 > 0:11:45We've got the frayed silk here, that's missing the cushion sections on all four sides.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48The one at the front here is really gone, isn't it?
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- So that definitely needs replacing. - Yes.- The only other thing
0:11:51 > 0:11:53is the silk itself.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56If we're keeping this - which I strongly advise that we would,
0:11:56 > 0:11:58as there's nothing wrong with it -
0:11:58 > 0:12:02we can only match the silk colour to a degree, plus or minus.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07- So there's going to be a difference, unfortunately, aesthetically.- OK.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Rod's going to find it hard to match the silk.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14In its present condition, this sewing box is worth around £120.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19And, with all that work involved, it's going to cost Liz £300 to have it restored.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22And then it'll only be worth around £250.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25'But for Liz, it's not about the money.'
0:12:25 > 0:12:30But I would really love it to be restored fully.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32It's a piece that I've always loved.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35And actually, even though I'm not selling it, I think it'll be worth
0:12:35 > 0:12:42far more to me personally to be able to pass it down to my daughter as it originally was.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- And hopefully with the same colour silk.- Yes. Or similar to.- Similar to, yes!
0:12:46 > 0:12:50We're always very passionate about the restoration that we do,
0:12:50 > 0:12:54but even more so when it's something that is of deep sentimental value.
0:12:54 > 0:13:00So, Rod, I've got everything crossed that you can find the colour to match that original blue silk.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04It needs to be able to survive another few hundred years in Liz's family.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14Many of you have decided to bring your lovely treasures to our Restoration Roadshow today.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17We've got old masterpieces to restore,
0:13:17 > 0:13:22'desks to rebuild, some broken and some just waiting to go to auction.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27'We also offer advice, and sometimes restoration
0:13:27 > 0:13:31'just isn't the right way forward, particularly if you want to sell.'
0:13:31 > 0:13:33I think it's rather jolly,
0:13:33 > 0:13:35but I think it's not really worth restoring.
0:13:36 > 0:13:43And our next case is a pair of early 1920s silver candlesticks, brought in by Jean Abbott.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46So where are we with these?
0:13:46 > 0:13:50A is 1925...
0:13:50 > 0:13:54and the Z is 24. The shop that bought them put them
0:13:54 > 0:13:59- up on the shelf and he's just happened to get them mixed up.- OK.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02But they would have been made only months apart, so they were sold as a pair.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07And as there is only a year, it can be accepted as a pair.
0:14:07 > 0:14:15- They made quite a lot of these, an apprentice might have 30, 40, 50 to do in a week.- Really?
0:14:15 > 0:14:21Yes. This is a very mass-produced pair of sticks, the style that they've always done.
0:14:21 > 0:14:27They're tarnished and some of the silver is missing, but lucky for us, resident restorer Barry Witmond,
0:14:27 > 0:14:33who is based here in Burghley, is a specialist gold and silversmith with over 40 years' experience.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35But what can he do?
0:14:35 > 0:14:37It's had a good life.
0:14:37 > 0:14:43It's been used, enjoyed and someone has tried to scrape off
0:14:43 > 0:14:46the wax that's fallen on there, and that's what worn it away.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50You can see where it's gone right through the edge.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52This is very, very, very thin.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57This piece has lost it totally.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02If you wanted to sell them at auction, how much do you think an auctioneer would estimate those for?
0:15:02 > 0:15:08I think you're going to be looking in the region of about £40 to £50 in the state that they are in.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11I wouldn't recommend restoring these.
0:15:11 > 0:15:16The cost will certainly outweigh whatever you would get for it.
0:15:16 > 0:15:17They've had a good life.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20And they're still usable.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24Restoring these candlesticks would cost over double their value,
0:15:24 > 0:15:29and as June wants to sell them, she's going to take them straight to auction just as they are.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33'Let's hope they light someone's fire and make a few pounds to boot.'
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Please, come on. Somebody help me.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42Our restorers have their hands full today.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Loads of items have come their way, but they never give up.
0:15:47 > 0:15:54Rod started the day on a rather grubby 300-year-old snuff box ingrained with dirt and grime.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57So far, what I've done is actually just given it a very light clean.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01I've actually concentrated on the right-hand side of it.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05As I'm looking at it here, you can actually see a big difference already in the way it's reviving.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09What's happening is, the blooming is actually so embedded in there
0:16:09 > 0:16:12that it's creeping itself back up again, so I'll have to be
0:16:12 > 0:16:15a bit more abrasive with what I'm actually applying.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20And as I start to penetrate down, it will actually improve and actually stay that way.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24So at the moment, the bit that I've just done, I'll show you,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27it does look very revived. Unfortunately, though,
0:16:27 > 0:16:30in about ten minutes that will come back up again.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34I need to just keep going a bit more, a bit more each time, so eventually it will stay
0:16:34 > 0:16:38more like that, because the blooming will get less and less and less.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43'Blooming has caused the tortoiseshell's natural oils to turn cloudy and grey.'
0:16:43 > 0:16:47It's actually quite a tricky piece to work on because it's a small piece,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50and if I press too hard as I'm pushing down trying to get the blooming out,
0:16:50 > 0:16:56there is the potential I could break it somewhere, so I've got to be very delicate with it as well.
0:16:56 > 0:17:03So will Rod strike the right balance between elbow grease and lightness of touch? We'll find out later.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10Remember the jolly Capodimonte ceramic billiard table with the broken cues?
0:17:10 > 0:17:15Well, Roger's glued them back together and sanded them down
0:17:15 > 0:17:19ready for painting, but it turns out these cues aren't quite what they seem.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22The strange thing is that they are metal.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26These paints I use are paints that I normally use for
0:17:26 > 0:17:29my pottery and porcelain restoration, but as far as
0:17:29 > 0:17:32painting these metal cues, that shouldn't really make any difference.
0:17:32 > 0:17:38It's rather ironic that I have lots of porcelain, I've ended up doing the metal.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Well, we know you like a challenge or two, Roger,
0:17:41 > 0:17:44and I have every faith you can turn your hand to a bit of metal work.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50I'll put that to one side for an hour or so to let it dry,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54and then we'll come back to it, and if I'm happy with that I can then...
0:17:54 > 0:18:00Those two cues will be ready to glue back onto the billiard table itself.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05Looks like Roger hopes to get the game under way again pretty soon
0:18:05 > 0:18:08but, hey, remember to make those cues straight!
0:18:10 > 0:18:17So as our restorers carry on fixing, mending, sanding and cleaning, Rod has been given the difficult job
0:18:17 > 0:18:22of trying to help this lovely 19th-century sewing box.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25He's had to pack it up and take it to his workshop.
0:18:25 > 0:18:30When you are looking at saving things, if you can salvage as much as possible it's always nicer.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35I think in this instance the silk itself is just too perished, it's so far gone.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39It's frayed, it's got loose ends everywhere.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42It really isn't going to be a matter of saving that at all.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46I could rip it off, but I want to try to make it as neat and tidy as possible
0:18:46 > 0:18:51because there's a chance I might be able to use the backing itself.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53It's always good to think that way.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57If I don't use it, fine, fair enough, but at least if I take it off,
0:18:57 > 0:19:00it's giving me the option to be able to use it.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03And I'd prefer that, to be honest, it's nice to be able to try to
0:19:03 > 0:19:05keep as much of the original as possible.
0:19:07 > 0:19:13'It's a delicate process. Rod mustn't gouge or mark the inside of the box,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16'as he needs a smooth and even surface to attach the new silk...
0:19:18 > 0:19:19'..if it ever arrives.'
0:19:19 > 0:19:23The only problem I have at the moment is that the silk
0:19:23 > 0:19:24which has been ordered from France,
0:19:24 > 0:19:30which was the only one that I could find which was as close a match as possible, hasn't arrived.
0:19:30 > 0:19:35One of the dates they told me has come and gone, I'm expecting it literally any minute,
0:19:35 > 0:19:38so without that silk it'll put a lot of pressure on me,
0:19:38 > 0:19:41and this grey beard will get a little bit greyer, I think.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46Well, I certainly hope that silk arrives, as without it
0:19:46 > 0:19:50this lovely sewing box is going to look distinctly threadbare.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00'It's that time again when our restorers have done all they can for your keepsakes and antiques.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03'They've worked like Trojans. But the big question is,
0:20:03 > 0:20:08'will all that effort pay off when they give you back your coveted heirlooms?'
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Wow! That's amazing!
0:20:10 > 0:20:14Keith Slater brought in a 1970s billiard game.
0:20:14 > 0:20:19Roger fixed the cues and glued them back in place, but it's been a fiddly and unusual process for Roger
0:20:19 > 0:20:25as he's had to work with metal rather than his preferred ceramics.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Will Keith be happy with the result?
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- Oh, yes.- There we are. Back to its former glory.- Yes, very good.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38Very good, yes. Did you have any difficulty with it, Roger, or...?
0:20:38 > 0:20:43I did in the fact that I had to glue back this cue,
0:20:43 > 0:20:45and because it's made of that metal
0:20:45 > 0:20:50it's very, very thin and there's a very small surface area to glue the two pieces together.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57Before the old boys had lost their cues, but now they're ready to play their shots again.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01And not only that,
0:21:01 > 0:21:05we have an extra ball and we can play billiards. LAUGHTER
0:21:05 > 0:21:06Oh, right!
0:21:06 > 0:21:09That's fine. That's really nice.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13'Well, I'd say that's one satisfied customer.
0:21:13 > 0:21:19'Can Rod make it two? Time to find out how he's got on with that dusty old tortoiseshell snuff box.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22'When owner John West first brought it in, it was ingrained
0:21:22 > 0:21:27'with over 300 years of dirt and falling apart at the seams.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31'Rod's had a tough job cleaning it up and it's revealed some unexpected surprises,
0:21:31 > 0:21:33'so what will John make of it?'
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Come on, Rod. I can't stand the suspense.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40I want to see the result of your labours today. Reveal all, come on.
0:21:40 > 0:21:41Let's go for it, then.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45- OK, here we are.- Wow!
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- Gosh.- Now, it has actually come up
0:21:48 > 0:21:50a lot nicer than I thought.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54Before, this grimy snuff box wouldn't have graced anyone's pocket.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59The shell was grey and cloudy, the hinge loose and the detailing covered in dirt.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04Now it's been given a new lease of life.
0:22:04 > 0:22:10'The hinge is fixed and the once invisible silver stud work around the edge shimmers for all to see.'
0:22:10 > 0:22:12I have to say, that is remarkable.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16I didn't realise that this was sort of a type of pique work?
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- Exactly. - With these little silver studs.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21- Yeah.- That's quite remarkable.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26That alone, I think, to be honest, has actually made the piece really stand out, much more attractive.
0:22:26 > 0:22:27It really has.
0:22:27 > 0:22:34Well, you've just spent £100, so the big question is, do you think it's money well spent?
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Yes, I do. I think it's brought it back to life.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39I could even use that word "resuscitated" it.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43- Well, you could, yes.- Because it's transformed.- Isn't it just?
0:22:43 > 0:22:47Especially that lovely pattern round the outside.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Just buffing the silver up and giving it a shine.
0:22:51 > 0:22:56- It looks super, yes.- Right. - And I hope it finds a good home.
0:22:56 > 0:22:57Somebody to cherish it.
0:22:58 > 0:22:59What a transformation.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Rod really has worked wonders today.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06John inherited this snuff box so it didn't cost him anything.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08He spent £100 restoring it,
0:23:08 > 0:23:12and I hope it will fetch over £300 at auction -
0:23:12 > 0:23:14assuming we find the right bidders.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19What a cracking day it's been here at Burghley.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24We've seen an incredible selection of lost, injured and shattered treasures
0:23:24 > 0:23:28which have all benefited from our restorers' well-trained eyes.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33'Some are going home, like Keith's 1970s billiard table...'
0:23:33 > 0:23:36That's really nice.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Really nice.
0:23:38 > 0:23:43'While others are heading off to auction, like this 300-year-old snuff box...'
0:23:43 > 0:23:45I really want to fondle that.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Do you think I should see a doctor?
0:23:47 > 0:23:49'And these 1920s silver candlesticks.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53'Let's hope they make our buyers' eyes light up with enthusiasm.'
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Please, come on, somebody help me.
0:23:58 > 0:24:03'But first, let's catch up with Rod and that 19th-century walnut sewing box.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07'When we first saw it, the inside was tatty and coming apart.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10'Has he been able to rescue it for the next generation?
0:24:10 > 0:24:13'And what will owner Liz think?'
0:24:13 > 0:24:15- There we go.- Oh, my...
0:24:17 > 0:24:21I'm sorry, but it's perfect!
0:24:21 > 0:24:23You are a clever man.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26I didn't think you were going to get the blue.
0:24:26 > 0:24:32Well, I traipsed up and down London literally looking at nearly every silk shop,
0:24:32 > 0:24:33and in the end the silk
0:24:33 > 0:24:37that I did choose had to be shipped in from France, can you believe that?
0:24:39 > 0:24:43Before, the sewing box was tattered, frayed and unusable.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47Now the sumptuous new silk has restored its former opulence.
0:24:47 > 0:24:52I'll be honest with you, I'm absolutely gobsmacked. I can't believe it.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55It's much nicer to have found something that is as close a match as possible,
0:24:55 > 0:24:58where really at first glance it looks perfect.
0:24:58 > 0:25:04Obviously as you look at it for a bit longer you can see the difference, but it's not too drastic, I think.
0:25:04 > 0:25:09- I'm so pleased I got it done. What a difference!- Brilliant.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12- Thank you. - You're welcome.- Thank you so much.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14I am absolutely... I can't tell you.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Here we are at Sworders auction in Essex.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27With so many appealing items on display today,
0:25:27 > 0:25:32let's hope the bidders are in a mood to splash some cash.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36First under the hammer is the 300-year-old snuff box.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Now remember, it didn't cost owner John anything as he inherited it.
0:25:41 > 0:25:48But he's paid £100 to have it restored, and we are hoping it will make upwards of £300.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50John's so delighted with the transformation
0:25:50 > 0:25:54he has put a reserve on it of £300,
0:25:54 > 0:25:55and I reckon it's worth every penny.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00Remember, if you're interested in buying or selling at auction,
0:26:00 > 0:26:02you may have commission and other charges to pay,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05so be sure to check with the auction house.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Everything that's been restored should be noted in the catalogue.
0:26:09 > 0:26:161475 is this good 18th-century oval tortoiseshell snuff box.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19150 I start, at £150.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23- Can I say 60, anywhere? - I want to bid but I'm not allowed.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27170? 180? 190? 200?
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Come on.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33- And ten anywhere?- Come on, come on, it's worth that and more.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Not sold, unfortunately.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Well, not sold.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43I have to say, I'm very surprised.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47I think just a case of not the right people here on the day.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Disappointing.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52John couldn't be here today, and with his snuff box
0:26:52 > 0:26:58unable to nudge above that £300 reserve price, for the time being he will get to keep it.
0:27:00 > 0:27:05Now it's time to see how the silver candlesticks do at the auction house in Lincoln.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09They were brought in by Jean Abbott.
0:27:09 > 0:27:14So your lot's about to appear under the gavel, so how are we feeling?
0:27:14 > 0:27:16- Excited.- You are? Good.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Let's hope it makes the reserve.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22Let's hope for that, and let's hope for a little bit more.
0:27:23 > 0:27:28We estimate they could make between £40 and £50.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32This nice pair of silver candlesticks, lot 553A.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35£30, to start, we've got £30 in front. £30. 35?
0:27:35 > 0:27:3740? 45?
0:27:37 > 0:27:4050? 55?
0:27:40 > 0:27:4560? 65? 65...
0:27:45 > 0:27:48- 65.- Come on, come on.- Any more?
0:27:48 > 0:27:51'Please, come on, somebody help me.'
0:27:51 > 0:27:55- 65.- Wow.- You're in the money, honey.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57That was OK, wasn't it?
0:27:57 > 0:28:01- I'm happy with that, we got more than the reserve.- Yeah. - I'm very happy with that.- Good.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05With no restoration needed, the candlesticks went for
0:28:05 > 0:28:09more than their auction estimate, and Jean couldn't be happier.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12So, as the gavel falls on yet another auction,
0:28:12 > 0:28:16the good news is that we find ourselves with a satisfied customer.
0:28:16 > 0:28:23So join us again and marvel at the skill of our expert restorers on Restoration Roadshow.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk