Episode 7

Download Subtitles

Transcript

0:00:02 > 0:00:06I'm surrounded by people who've brought weird and wonderful collectibles

0:00:06 > 0:00:08in the hope that we can inject new life into them,

0:00:08 > 0:00:12so maybe they can be sold at auction and make a bit of money along the way.

0:00:12 > 0:00:15Find out how much on Restoration Roadshow.

0:00:19 > 0:00:24We're here at Chatsworth for today's Restoration Roadshow,

0:00:24 > 0:00:28home to the Cavendish family for over 450 years.

0:00:28 > 0:00:33We've got paintings, dolls and arts and crafts bed heads all coming through the gates.

0:00:33 > 0:00:38For me, stepping inside this majestic house is like entering a sweet shop.

0:00:38 > 0:00:42But keeping everything in mint condition is a restoration marathon.

0:00:42 > 0:00:47Back in 1930, this stunning painted hall nearly collapsed,

0:00:47 > 0:00:50and the restoration programme continues to this day.

0:00:50 > 0:00:53We'll be finding out more later.

0:00:53 > 0:00:57Here at Chatsworth, our restorers already have their hands full.

0:00:57 > 0:01:01Coming up, an 18th century clock, but not to everyone's taste.

0:01:01 > 0:01:05My wife says of this clock, she'd rather have a corpse hanging on the wall.

0:01:05 > 0:01:07Roger's got a family treasure.

0:01:07 > 0:01:09But it's gone to pieces.

0:01:09 > 0:01:11A terminal case if ever I saw one.

0:01:15 > 0:01:18And tucked away in the house for 90 years...

0:01:18 > 0:01:26Well, it was under my grandma's bed, wrapped in a curtain. Now I think the curtain might be worth a bob or two.

0:01:26 > 0:01:30But can it be restored for auction, or taken home?

0:01:30 > 0:01:32And will it make any money under the hammer?

0:01:37 > 0:01:42'Chatsworth is attracting all sorts of intriguing treasures today,

0:01:42 > 0:01:47'like this 18th century painted and lacquered tavern clock, brought along by David Donegan.'

0:01:47 > 0:01:51Well, this is obviously a clock that was designed to get noticed.

0:01:51 > 0:01:57It's seen ravages of time, and I think it's had a little bit of treatment over the years.

0:01:57 > 0:02:00Well, it's fallen off the wall at least twice.

0:02:00 > 0:02:01You can see from the damage.

0:02:01 > 0:02:05- Has it really?- Yes. So it hasn't obviously done it any good.

0:02:05 > 0:02:09It's good looking clock. What I like about it is this lacquered finish.

0:02:09 > 0:02:16- Date-wise, I'm thinking it must about around about, what, 1760, maybe 1770?- I believe that's right.

0:02:16 > 0:02:19'The tavern clock got its name as a result of the Government's clock tax.

0:02:19 > 0:02:23'Every clock owner had to pay a five shilling fee,

0:02:23 > 0:02:24'so people got rid of them

0:02:24 > 0:02:28'and relied instead on clocks in public places, like taverns.'

0:02:28 > 0:02:31- I'm assuming the mechanism works. - It does, yes.

0:02:31 > 0:02:34I think if you were to re-offer it in this condition,

0:02:34 > 0:02:37I think you might be getting near to £1,800, or possibly a couple of thousand.

0:02:37 > 0:02:42The thing is, once a clock like this is given the full treatment,

0:02:42 > 0:02:49if I want to go and buy one of these in a very smart clock shop up there in London,

0:02:49 > 0:02:52then the price tags are in the sort of £4,000 to £5,000 bracket.

0:02:52 > 0:02:54I think it's at that stage where

0:02:54 > 0:02:58you've got to give it back its dignity, cos it's looking very tired.

0:02:58 > 0:03:00Well, it is, but my wife says of this clock

0:03:00 > 0:03:03that she'd rather have a corpse hanging on the wall than this clock.

0:03:03 > 0:03:08So I suppose it does need some attention.

0:03:08 > 0:03:12- I detect from that, your wife's not a clock lover?- She hates clocks.

0:03:12 > 0:03:14She won't have a clock in the house.

0:03:14 > 0:03:16Really? So where are you keeping it today?

0:03:16 > 0:03:24It's in the hotel that I own in Bakewell. It's amongst 50 other clocks, I have about 50.

0:03:24 > 0:03:28Is it something that you're considering placing at auction?

0:03:28 > 0:03:30Well, it keeps good time.

0:03:30 > 0:03:32- I rather like this one.- OK.

0:03:32 > 0:03:34- It's going to stay.- It's going to stay and earn its keep.

0:03:34 > 0:03:37Unless it falls off the wall again, in which case...

0:03:37 > 0:03:44- What we'll do is we'll get our restorer to put a big rubber tyre underneath it here.- Oh, yes, yes!

0:03:45 > 0:03:50Rod Titian has worked in palaces and for royalty so I suspect he won't go for my tyre suggestion.

0:03:50 > 0:03:54But with his 25 years' experience as a furniture restorer,

0:03:54 > 0:03:58this battered old tavern clock is in the safest of hands.

0:03:58 > 0:04:00Well this is actually a chinoiserie clock.

0:04:00 > 0:04:06The decoration is a replica, really, of the Chinese decorative work they used to do on lacquer pieces.

0:04:06 > 0:04:08And it's the European counterpart.

0:04:08 > 0:04:12There's a lot of decoration missing here, and it's actually raised and slightly rough.

0:04:12 > 0:04:18That could benefit from taking down, and then I can replace the decoration where it's actually scarred as well.

0:04:18 > 0:04:23You can see all the scarring from different angles, and areas like here, which actually are bubbled.

0:04:23 > 0:04:26What I would suggest there is not to keep that, because to be honest,

0:04:26 > 0:04:29it's got to a stage where it's so crumbly

0:04:29 > 0:04:34that I would just remove that completely, and then just touch that in.

0:04:34 > 0:04:41So, I think, breaking down the costs, if we were to do the initial section at the front here, £400.

0:04:41 > 0:04:44To do all the other areas that I mentioned, a further £150.

0:04:44 > 0:04:47- So it takes us to about £600 or so. - Yes.

0:04:47 > 0:04:51- OK?- Well I would agree with that. I think it's first class.

0:04:51 > 0:04:54Do you think your wife is going to love this clock any more?

0:04:54 > 0:04:57She'll never see it. She never comes to the hotel.

0:04:57 > 0:04:59- So...- Oh, she doesn't?- No.

0:04:59 > 0:05:02OK. You communicate by mail or what?

0:05:02 > 0:05:04THEY ALL LAUGH

0:05:04 > 0:05:07I don't think we need to go into this any further, do we?

0:05:07 > 0:05:10'I know Rod loves a challenge,

0:05:10 > 0:05:15'but persuading Mrs Donegan to give this beauty the time of day will be a real toughie.

0:05:15 > 0:05:20'I fancy it's going to take more than gold lacquer and a steady hand to win her round.

0:05:20 > 0:05:24'And here's a real test for our ceramics restorer.

0:05:24 > 0:05:31'A wonderful, but sadly very damaged early 20th-century bone china pot made by Royal Worcester.

0:05:31 > 0:05:35'Luckily, ceramics guru Roger Hawkins is just the man for the job.

0:05:35 > 0:05:39'He's seen a few breaks in his 30 years' experience,

0:05:39 > 0:05:44'and will be as upset as I am to see this majestic pot in such a state.

0:05:44 > 0:05:47'It's a 999 from Trish Pickering.'

0:05:47 > 0:05:52- Now this you have to tell me about, because this has had a hard life, hasn't it?- Yes.

0:05:52 > 0:05:56The lid is really smashed

0:05:56 > 0:05:59and all the old glue around there has been done.

0:05:59 > 0:06:04- What's its history?- Well, this is a picture of my grandparents.

0:06:04 > 0:06:07And when we cleared their house out, they found this.

0:06:07 > 0:06:10And then it was at my parents' house, and I always liked it.

0:06:10 > 0:06:16I remember when my parents got it, it was broken inside, and then gradually the lid got broken.

0:06:16 > 0:06:20It's Worcester, made in England and looking at the mark,

0:06:20 > 0:06:26- that suggests to me it's around 1915 period.- 1915.- Yes.

0:06:26 > 0:06:31The Worcester porcelain factory has been in production since 1751.

0:06:31 > 0:06:36In the 1900s, the company employed talented ceramic artists like Kitty Blake.

0:06:36 > 0:06:40Her painted flower and fruit pieces are highly sought-after.

0:06:40 > 0:06:42Have you any idea of what its value is?

0:06:42 > 0:06:47I did see it in the guide, and it was between £150 and £200.

0:06:47 > 0:06:55If it were in perfect condition, now, the retail value may well be around that.

0:06:55 > 0:07:00If you were to put in auction like this, I would suggest a valuation of nothing.

0:07:00 > 0:07:05- Unfortunately, it is just too badly damaged.- Yes. Yes.

0:07:05 > 0:07:12However, I can restore this completely. I can put it back into condition as if it were perfect.

0:07:12 > 0:07:18The only problem with that is it's just a pure economic question.

0:07:18 > 0:07:19Because looking at this,

0:07:19 > 0:07:23there is a lot of work in doing the lid on its own.

0:07:23 > 0:07:27But to do the lid and the jar together,

0:07:27 > 0:07:33it looks to me like it would be around sort of £350 to restore that.

0:07:33 > 0:07:37Is it something that you're going to keep or would you want to sell it?

0:07:37 > 0:07:42I do want to keep it, because I haven't got many mementos of my grandparents.

0:07:42 > 0:07:46It would be quite nice to have it restored and then pass it on to my family.

0:07:46 > 0:07:51- So, something you think you will go ahead with having done?- Yes, yes.

0:07:51 > 0:07:53Trish is putting family pride to the fore.

0:07:53 > 0:08:00Worth nothing in its current state, it's going to cost a whopping £350 to bring it back to life,

0:08:00 > 0:08:03a price tag it could never hope to reach at auction.

0:08:03 > 0:08:06But sentiment outweighs value in this case, and for Trish,

0:08:06 > 0:08:10this little piece of family history is priceless.

0:08:10 > 0:08:13So there are future generations counting on you, Roger.

0:08:13 > 0:08:16Good luck making this whole again.

0:08:16 > 0:08:20Coming up, can we revive this tired Victorian writing box?

0:08:20 > 0:08:24Find out how Rod's ticking along with that lovely clock...

0:08:24 > 0:08:28I'm making this look easy. It's really hard.

0:08:28 > 0:08:34And join me for a behind-the-scenes peek at the restoration of this beautiful historic home.

0:08:38 > 0:08:42'Everywhere I turn today there are objects in need of specialist attention.'

0:08:42 > 0:08:46You've got a motley selection, and some of them are in desperate need of a vet.

0:08:46 > 0:08:51'Raiding attics, basements and cupboards, many of you have had a real clearout.'

0:08:51 > 0:08:57They're not my style. My mum would have said, "Oh, sell them and buy something that you like".

0:08:57 > 0:09:03'And some of you, like John and Pat Spate here, are looking to downsize,

0:09:03 > 0:09:07'so it's a case of out with the old and in with a few bob, hopefully.'

0:09:07 > 0:09:14Well I can see from this missing piece of fret, that this object's been damaged generations ago.

0:09:14 > 0:09:18- That's correct.- How many generations has it been in your family?

0:09:18 > 0:09:21On the box itself, there's a signature saying

0:09:21 > 0:09:27that it was given to an aunt of my grandfather's in 1881.

0:09:27 > 0:09:30Oh, there it is.

0:09:30 > 0:09:37I think it was made somewhere either in northern Italy or the Swiss area. It's got a Tyrolean feel.

0:09:37 > 0:09:41- It's obviously somewhere where they've got a lot of snow because they're on a sledge.- Oh, yeah.

0:09:41 > 0:09:45Where's this been kept over the successive generations?

0:09:45 > 0:09:51Well it was under my grandma's bed, wrapped in a curtain.

0:09:51 > 0:09:55And then it was under my mother's bed, wrapped in the same old curtain,

0:09:55 > 0:09:58and it's under our bed, wrapped in the same old curtain.

0:09:58 > 0:10:01Now, I think the curtain might be worth a bob or two.

0:10:01 > 0:10:04'Well, I doubt you'll get much for the curtain,

0:10:04 > 0:10:07'but early Victorian writing boxes like this one,

0:10:07 > 0:10:10'used for penning letters, postcards and maybe the odd classic,

0:10:10 > 0:10:16'are collectible pieces. But this one's water damaged, which will affect its value.'

0:10:16 > 0:10:24- As it is, it's in such a state that maybe it's worth £100 or £150 maximum.- Yes.

0:10:24 > 0:10:27I do think with, you know,

0:10:27 > 0:10:33a little bit of tender, loving care and a few caresses from our restorer,

0:10:33 > 0:10:39it'll bring it back into a value range which may be nearer £300 or £400.

0:10:42 > 0:10:46'Good news for John and Pat, who are looking to sell at auction.

0:10:46 > 0:10:49'But can it be given a much-needed facelift?

0:10:49 > 0:10:51'Furniture restorer Tim Akers thinks it can.

0:10:51 > 0:10:57'With 30 years' experience working on everything from museum pieces to treasured family items,

0:10:57 > 0:11:00'he knows a good thing when he sees it.'

0:11:00 > 0:11:04It's a beautiful piece of walnut. It absolutely glows, doesn't it?

0:11:04 > 0:11:05It just oozes warmth.

0:11:05 > 0:11:09It's wonderful. And it's got the most wonderful grain to the side.

0:11:09 > 0:11:12I love the pierced fretwork on it.

0:11:12 > 0:11:15It's just a beautiful thing, a really beautiful thing.

0:11:15 > 0:11:21Obviously you've got a certain amount of water damage to the main panel, which is a shame.

0:11:21 > 0:11:26With regards to what else we need to do to it, the main area of damage is the fretwork. Let's have a look.

0:11:26 > 0:11:31And it has been off a long time. If you have a look at the top there and the difference in colour,

0:11:31 > 0:11:34it hasn't got that glow, so the rest of it has been waxed

0:11:34 > 0:11:39for at least 50 or 60 years longer than the piece that's been detached, because you can see the difference.

0:11:39 > 0:11:46The work involved is to repair the fretwork, glue the joint back, do something with the water mark.

0:11:46 > 0:11:49OK. So what sort of price are we talking about for that work?

0:11:49 > 0:11:53- £150, I would have thought.- £150. - Yes, yes.

0:11:53 > 0:11:57- So, it seems like a good price to me.- It sounds good to me, that, yes.

0:11:57 > 0:12:00All right. It goes without saying, it's a special box,

0:12:00 > 0:12:05- and when it goes to auction, let's hope we get you a special price. - Let's hope so, yes.

0:12:05 > 0:12:09'It might only be worth £100 to £150 as it is,

0:12:09 > 0:12:12'but spending that £150 to restore it

0:12:12 > 0:12:16'could help John and Pat double their money at auction.

0:12:16 > 0:12:21'It's a delicate job requiring specialist tools, so he'll have to take it back to his workshop.'

0:12:26 > 0:12:31On Restoration Roadshow we restore treasures large and small,

0:12:31 > 0:12:35but imagine what it takes to conserve a magnificent estate like this,

0:12:35 > 0:12:37with over a mile of painted walls and ceilings.

0:12:37 > 0:12:41Its most famous room, the Painted Hall,

0:12:41 > 0:12:47commissioned in 1690 to honour William III, has been the scene of many dramas.

0:12:47 > 0:12:52In 1930, the ceiling threatened to come crashing down and reduce all this to rubble.

0:12:52 > 0:12:56Incredibly, they were able to hoick it back up and avert disaster,

0:12:56 > 0:13:02but by 1990, the paintwork desperately needed restoring.

0:13:02 > 0:13:06There was varnish that had got very dirty, wax protection layers under the varnish,

0:13:06 > 0:13:09and just the accumulated dirt from hundreds of thousands of visitors.

0:13:09 > 0:13:13And so we decided that it would be worthy, finally,

0:13:13 > 0:13:16of a very thorough inspection and then a clean.

0:13:17 > 0:13:25It was a monumental task costing over £100,000, and just finding time to do it wasn't simple either.

0:13:25 > 0:13:30We decided to actually do some of it whilst we were open to the public,

0:13:30 > 0:13:33and we had a scaffolding filling the room

0:13:33 > 0:13:39and the conservators were working high up above the public who were walking underneath.

0:13:39 > 0:13:44The work illustrated just how tricky painting these murals would have been, not to mention restoring them.

0:13:44 > 0:13:48People notice that they're using tiny brushes and cotton wool buds

0:13:48 > 0:13:50to slowly clean layers of varnish and dirt off.

0:13:50 > 0:13:56You could see people thinking, "I can see why this is very lengthy, very expensive, very specialist,"

0:13:56 > 0:14:02and maybe developing a greater appreciation of what it takes to look after a great historic building.

0:14:02 > 0:14:05And we get the same reaction here on our roadshow

0:14:05 > 0:14:08when we bring your tired and broken antiques back to life.

0:14:11 > 0:14:13Under the care of Rod, our furniture expert,

0:14:13 > 0:14:18that 18th century clock has undergone hours of surgery.

0:14:18 > 0:14:23He's refilling the many cracks and carefully remodelling the intricate Chinese decoration.

0:14:23 > 0:14:30The next stage is quite intricate, which is what I'm doing now, which is why my breath is very slow.

0:14:30 > 0:14:35It's because there's a lot of concentration that's involved when you're putting on lines.

0:14:35 > 0:14:41What I'm finding is, which is a bit annoying, is that the way the decoration was put on in the past,

0:14:41 > 0:14:46was that it was actually done a little bit on the kind of primitive side, for the want of a better word.

0:14:46 > 0:14:49What I mean by that is it's not exactly perfect,

0:14:49 > 0:14:53so where there's the scrolls on the top, lines coming down on edges,

0:14:53 > 0:14:57they're a bit wavy, they're not as straight as I would have done them myself.

0:14:57 > 0:15:01So what I'm having to do is to actually tie my decoration in

0:15:01 > 0:15:03with the decoration of the actual piece itself.

0:15:03 > 0:15:09So, I'm having to be not as perfect as I might like to be, basically.

0:15:09 > 0:15:13And that's tough for someone who's used to absolute precision.

0:15:13 > 0:15:14Rather you than me, Rod.

0:15:17 > 0:15:20I'm making this look easy. It's really hard.

0:15:22 > 0:15:24Pieces like this are so special.

0:15:24 > 0:15:30Every inch of lacquered paintwork reveals the breathtaking skill of the person who crafted it.

0:15:30 > 0:15:36And craftsmanship is what ceramics restorer Roger Hawkins is about to demonstrate by the potful.

0:15:36 > 0:15:40He's brought the beautiful Royal Worcester pot back to his workshop

0:15:40 > 0:15:43for a bit of serious reconstruction work.

0:15:43 > 0:15:47With the delicate lid missing some of the beautiful gold latticework,

0:15:47 > 0:15:51Roger will have to make the missing pieces by hand.

0:15:51 > 0:15:58He starts by making an impression of the latticework in modelling putty, then prepares the hole for filling.

0:15:58 > 0:16:06I'm just going to put a bit of glue on the stumps of these pieces,

0:16:06 > 0:16:10so that when the filler goes in, it will adhere.

0:16:10 > 0:16:16But like many jobs in restoration, this is trial and error.

0:16:16 > 0:16:23Hopefully emphasis on the word "trial" and not the word "error", but we will see.

0:16:23 > 0:16:29It certainly looks more trial than error. Now for the tricky bit, filling in the hole.

0:16:29 > 0:16:33The idea now is to put this over the hole,

0:16:33 > 0:16:38make it fit, and because it's flexible, it will.

0:16:38 > 0:16:43And I'm now going to press into that some of this filler.

0:16:43 > 0:16:48With the impression in place, he fills the hole with ceramic filler,

0:16:48 > 0:16:51being careful to wipe away any excess.

0:16:51 > 0:16:54Once set, it's time to see if it's paid off.

0:16:54 > 0:17:01If I pull this off, we'll see whether my filler has formed the shape.

0:17:01 > 0:17:02Will you look at that?

0:17:03 > 0:17:08Impressive stuff. But it's a long way off making it as good as new.

0:17:12 > 0:17:15Tim has also forsaken the grandeur of Chatsworth

0:17:15 > 0:17:19for the less opulent surroundings of his specialist workshop.

0:17:19 > 0:17:23When you're working with a sharp chisel on a delicate 19th century writing box,

0:17:23 > 0:17:25you don't get a second chance.

0:17:25 > 0:17:28He's been hard at it, removing years of old adhesive,

0:17:28 > 0:17:32and there's a valuable tip for all you glue-it-yourselfers.

0:17:32 > 0:17:36People, they mean well, they probably glue it back because they think,

0:17:36 > 0:17:40"well if I don't, I'll lose the piece". But please don't do this.

0:17:40 > 0:17:42You don't do the piece of furniture any favours.

0:17:42 > 0:17:48Instant quick-drying glue is irreversible, a big no-no when it comes to restoration.

0:17:48 > 0:17:50We should always allow for future work.

0:17:52 > 0:17:54Tim's using a traditional type of specialist glue.

0:17:54 > 0:18:00Injecting it with meths means it can be taken apart again if it needs to be in the future.

0:18:00 > 0:18:05He's using not one, not two, but six clamps to secure the glued fretwork.

0:18:05 > 0:18:08If it slips, he'll be forced to file down some of that original finish,

0:18:08 > 0:18:12but he can't apply too much pressure.

0:18:12 > 0:18:18If I clamp it too hard, I can fracture the other areas of this fretwork,

0:18:18 > 0:18:21so I can't just put masses of pressure on.

0:18:21 > 0:18:24It's got to be very delicately done and very precisely done,

0:18:24 > 0:18:27and I've got to work quite quickly because the hot glue,

0:18:27 > 0:18:32I've got to get it in place, all the clamps in place, pressure on, before the glue cools down.

0:18:32 > 0:18:34I've got to work quite fast.

0:18:36 > 0:18:40To about there. I almost have to mentally prepare myself for this.

0:18:40 > 0:18:44Even after all the years I've been doing it. Everything's in place.

0:18:44 > 0:18:48I really only have one chance with this. Let's go.

0:18:51 > 0:18:55Got to work fast. It's already cooling on me, so...

0:18:57 > 0:19:02To remove the excess glue, I'm going to put a little clamp there.

0:19:02 > 0:19:06One at the back. Come on, quickly.

0:19:08 > 0:19:10This is where I need more hands.

0:19:10 > 0:19:17And then a huge weighty clamp to go on top, to give it the downward pressure.

0:19:17 > 0:19:21There you go.

0:19:22 > 0:19:24Thank goodness for that.

0:19:24 > 0:19:26With all the glue and clamps in position,

0:19:26 > 0:19:34Tim will have to wait eight hours to discover whether he's been able to create an invisible mend.

0:19:37 > 0:19:41Back in Derbyshire, our Restoration Roadshow is drawing to a close.

0:19:41 > 0:19:45Restorers have been working flat out and now it's my favourite moment,

0:19:45 > 0:19:48time to reveal their handiwork.

0:19:48 > 0:19:51One man who could certainly use a brew is Rod Titian.

0:19:51 > 0:19:57He's worked up a thirst replacing missing sections of gilded decoration.

0:19:57 > 0:20:02But it's time, please, ladies and gentlemen, and I can't wait to see what its owner, David, thinks.

0:20:04 > 0:20:10I don't mind telling you that I've been watching Rod from afar and he's been a model of concentration.

0:20:10 > 0:20:15But, Rod, I can't help but think when I saw the amount of work that was needed on this clock,

0:20:15 > 0:20:18that you might have bitten off a bit more than you could chew.

0:20:18 > 0:20:23Decoratively there was a lot to do, a lot to put back. The decoration was quite fine in places as well.

0:20:23 > 0:20:26And there's a lot of ink work as well, fine ink work,

0:20:26 > 0:20:29so in general I'm extremely happy with the way it's gone.

0:20:29 > 0:20:32All right, well, that's one happy bunny.

0:20:32 > 0:20:36- I'm looking for two happy bunnies. Shall we just pull this? - Take it away.

0:20:36 > 0:20:39There you go.

0:20:39 > 0:20:45So, feast your eyes on what was, quite honestly, a bit of a wreck of a clock.

0:20:45 > 0:20:48You really have done a cracking job. No doubt about it.

0:20:48 > 0:20:51I didn't believe for one moment you could do anything like it.

0:20:51 > 0:20:55This bit here, for example, I think it's absolutely fantastic how you've replaced it.

0:20:55 > 0:20:58'Before, this bruised and battered 18th century tavern clock

0:20:58 > 0:21:01'looked like it had knocked back one too many.

0:21:01 > 0:21:08'Now, with the surface filled and smoothed and the missing decoration repainted, it's happy hour again.'

0:21:08 > 0:21:15What you've resisted, doing, Rod, is actually putting that tyre on the bottom that I suggested.

0:21:15 > 0:21:18This is a balancing clock at the best of times.

0:21:18 > 0:21:22One thing I did do was just to check the stability of the plate at the back where it hangs from.

0:21:22 > 0:21:27- Yes, yes.- And it is actually nice and stable, so it can be used, it can be hung in that way.

0:21:27 > 0:21:30I hate to say it, but you've done a first-class job.

0:21:30 > 0:21:32Well, that's very good of you.

0:21:32 > 0:21:36Initially, we were saying it was worth maybe £1,800 to £2,000.

0:21:36 > 0:21:41I think it's fair to say, Rod, that we're now looking at a clock that is going to be worth what, go on?

0:21:41 > 0:21:47Well I would say very close to £5,000, £6,000, if it were to go to auction.

0:21:47 > 0:21:51I'll take four now, if you want to!

0:21:51 > 0:21:55- We're tempted, but it's an offer we have to refuse, isn't that right, Rod?- Absolutely.

0:21:55 > 0:21:58- Even though your wife would probably be very happy.- Indeed.

0:21:58 > 0:22:03- Absolutely delighted. It's absolutely first class, thank you very much. - You're most welcome.

0:22:03 > 0:22:07'With a £5,000 price tag now attached to this lacquered beauty,

0:22:07 > 0:22:10'maybe David's wife will be as delighted as he is.'

0:22:10 > 0:22:13THEY ALL LAUGH

0:22:13 > 0:22:18But can we make it two? Remember that tired Royal Worcester pot brought in by Trish Pickering?

0:22:18 > 0:22:22It was in such a bad way that Roger had to take it back to his studio,

0:22:22 > 0:22:26remove all the old glue, stick it back together and fill in the holes.

0:22:26 > 0:22:30And now it's the moment of truth.

0:22:30 > 0:22:32Will it be £350 well spent?

0:22:32 > 0:22:39So you made that decision, to spend some money, a fair amount of money, because it was a complicated job.

0:22:39 > 0:22:43But let's just see the end result, shall we? Are you ready?

0:22:43 > 0:22:47Yes, I'm actually... I can't wait to see it, actually.

0:22:47 > 0:22:50Well hold on to your hat, because here's the big reveal.

0:22:50 > 0:22:52Here we go.

0:22:52 > 0:23:00Wow. Is that the same pot I brought? I can't believe it.

0:23:00 > 0:23:07Well, I'm actually speechless because I didn't realise that it would be restored so well.

0:23:07 > 0:23:11'Before, this pauper of a pot didn't live up to its royal name.

0:23:11 > 0:23:13'Now it's together again.

0:23:13 > 0:23:18No more cracks, no more holes, you can't even see the joins.'

0:23:18 > 0:23:23- It's a regal little pot, is that. - It is. It's very pretty, isn't it? - It's very pretty.

0:23:23 > 0:23:27And add to that the fact it's had restoration by Roger Hawkins,

0:23:27 > 0:23:31I mean, that adds to the perfect pedigree, I can tell you.

0:23:31 > 0:23:38'And thanks to all his hard graft, this good-as-new family heirloom can be admired for generations to come.

0:23:38 > 0:23:45'So, it's smiles all round here in Derbyshire. We've seen some fascinating collectibles here today.

0:23:45 > 0:23:49'Some are on their way home, like Trish's charming Royal Worcester pot

0:23:49 > 0:23:55'and David's stunning 18th century tavern clock with its gilding now fully restored.

0:23:55 > 0:24:00'The others are off to auction, like John and Pat's neglected Victorian writing box.'

0:24:00 > 0:24:04- Kept under the bed for how many years?- Oh, at least 80.

0:24:04 > 0:24:09'I'm just hoping that Tim's done enough to impress the Spates and the bidders

0:24:09 > 0:24:11'when the curtain's lifted at auction.'

0:24:15 > 0:24:18'It's sale day here at Bamford's auction house in Derby,

0:24:18 > 0:24:22'and John and Pat Spate are hoping their writing box will find a buyer.

0:24:22 > 0:24:26'But first, they need to be reunited. Remember the state it was in?

0:24:26 > 0:24:31'Well Tim's been toiling away in his studio, treating the water stains and fixing the fretwork.

0:24:31 > 0:24:36'And I can't help thinking they might want to hold on to it. Let's find out.'

0:24:36 > 0:24:40Have you got any thoughts as to whether you might be keeping it or selling it?

0:24:40 > 0:24:44I don't want it under the bed for another 90 years.

0:24:44 > 0:24:47So if it's going to go to a good home, that's fine with me.

0:24:47 > 0:24:53It was a bit tatty, so I'm looking forward to seeing what he's done, but I've got to be sensible.

0:24:53 > 0:25:00OK. Well shall we see whether or not they are great expectations or what?

0:25:00 > 0:25:01I love doing this bit, I really do.

0:25:01 > 0:25:09- A feeling of power. OK.- Oh, wow. - That's beautiful.- Oh, look.

0:25:09 > 0:25:11- That really is nice. - Isn't that nice?

0:25:13 > 0:25:19'Before, this glorious Victorian writing box was nothing to write home about. Now it's turned a page.

0:25:19 > 0:25:23'The walnut surface is gleaming again, and that fretwork, well,

0:25:23 > 0:25:26'you'd be hard pressed to find the hint of a break.

0:25:26 > 0:25:28Which was the broken fretwork?

0:25:28 > 0:25:31- This one.- That one. Yes. Oh, that's lovely.

0:25:31 > 0:25:33What do you think of it now?

0:25:33 > 0:25:35I think it's absolutely beautiful.

0:25:35 > 0:25:37I think he's done a cracking job.

0:25:37 > 0:25:44Unfortunately we haven't got the room and we are downsizing, so, I think it must go to auction.

0:25:44 > 0:25:46- It's got to go.- Oh, right.

0:25:46 > 0:25:48- I like it.- No, you can't have it.

0:25:48 > 0:25:53'Well that's decided then. I like a man who knows his own mind.

0:25:53 > 0:25:58'It's all down to the bidders now, but it's certainly too good a piece to just give away.

0:26:00 > 0:26:03'As it was it, it wouldn't have been worth more than £100 to £150.

0:26:03 > 0:26:08'But to my mind the £150 restoration fee was money well spent,

0:26:08 > 0:26:14'as they could now be looking at a price tag of between £300 or £400.

0:26:14 > 0:26:18'Remember, if you're interested in buying or selling at auction,

0:26:18 > 0:26:23'you will have commission and other charges to pay, so be sure to check with the auction house.

0:26:23 > 0:26:29'Everything that's been restored should be noted in the catalogue.

0:26:29 > 0:26:34'And by the sound of it, Pat's still half-tempted to keep it having seen Tim's handiwork,

0:26:34 > 0:26:38'as is so often the case on Restoration Roadshow.'

0:26:38 > 0:26:41- We're getting close, aren't we? - Yes, we are.- Yes.

0:26:41 > 0:26:44Have we got some tension there? Are we feeling a little bit... Yeah?

0:26:44 > 0:26:46- A little bit nervous. - A little bit nervous.

0:26:46 > 0:26:51Well, I've been watching people pick it up and have a look at it. You've set a reserve, haven't you?

0:26:51 > 0:26:57- Yes, £300.- It's worth three... I mean, I just know, it's worth £300.

0:26:57 > 0:26:59To use a well-worn phrase, it's ready to go.

0:26:59 > 0:27:02The 19th century continental marquetry wrap desk.

0:27:02 > 0:27:04- Where is it? There it is. - Wonderful thing.

0:27:04 > 0:27:08- He's what I call a Formula 1 auctioneer, this fellow.- He is.

0:27:08 > 0:27:12I think he's doing about 150 lots an hour. He can talk the talk, as they say. Anyway, here we go.

0:27:12 > 0:27:17I can start here at £270.

0:27:17 > 0:27:19280 do I see anywhere in the first?

0:27:19 > 0:27:22280, 290, 300? Has it at 300.

0:27:22 > 0:27:25300, come on, it's worth more than that. Come on!

0:27:25 > 0:27:30At £300 in the centre, 310 may I say? At 300, 310.

0:27:30 > 0:27:32Oh, look, there we go. There's another bid.

0:27:32 > 0:27:35320. It's a super thing. 320?

0:27:35 > 0:27:38It's worth it. 310.

0:27:38 > 0:27:41At 310. All done now, it's selling.

0:27:41 > 0:27:44Quite sure? At 310.

0:27:44 > 0:27:47Well, it's gone at £310. So, you know...

0:27:47 > 0:27:49- Yeah, I'm not disappointed. - You're not?- No.

0:27:49 > 0:27:52It's done now. I'm relieved it's all over now.

0:27:52 > 0:27:57You know, I know I had second thoughts about selling it, but I know it had to go.

0:27:57 > 0:28:00We hadn't got the room, so that's it.

0:28:00 > 0:28:04- And I can get rid of the curtain it's been in for 80 years. - You certainly can.

0:28:04 > 0:28:07'Well, I'd like to have got a little more for it.

0:28:07 > 0:28:09'I certainly think Tim's skill deserved a higher reward.

0:28:09 > 0:28:15'But at least it's now off to a new home to be appreciated.'

0:28:15 > 0:28:20Well it just goes to show that our restorers' skills is worth every penny,

0:28:20 > 0:28:22because we were certainly on the money.

0:28:22 > 0:28:28So, join us again for another amazing transformation here on Restoration Roadshow.

0:28:51 > 0:28:54Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:28:54 > 0:28:57E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk