0:00:04 > 0:00:06Bonjour! Comment allez vous?
0:00:06 > 0:00:10We're expecting a cosmopolitan flavour in today's programme
0:00:10 > 0:00:16because we're at the Ardingly International Antiques and Collectors Fair in Sussex.
0:00:16 > 0:00:21This place is a regular haunt for dealers from across the Channel,
0:00:21 > 0:00:26so, as they say, let's allons-y bargain hunting!
0:00:52 > 0:00:59With over 1,700 stalls, this is one of the largest antiques fairs in the south of England.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01Lots of stalls mean
0:01:01 > 0:01:06lots of buying opportunities, so we'd better get a wiggle on! Bye!
0:01:09 > 0:01:15- Bargain Hunt, c'est magnifique. - I'm glad you approve, but you ain't seen this show yet!
0:01:15 > 0:01:22Coming up: Catherine Southon discovers you can't take the classroom out of the teacher.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25- School bench.- A beautiful bench.
0:01:25 > 0:01:30- It's the school thing coming out. - Yeah!- Being a teacher.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34And David Harper finds he's got bossy boots in charge.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38- Go for it.- Gosh! You're a bit worrying!
0:01:38 > 0:01:44- I boss him around a bit too much. A bit too bossy.- You said it, darling. Let's meet the teams.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48On Bargain Hunt today we've got a brace of couples.
0:01:48 > 0:01:54For the Reds, we've got Matt and Emma and for the Blues it's Sally and Dave.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Welcome. Lovely to see you.
0:01:56 > 0:02:01- Matt, they say that opposites attract. Is that the case?- It is.
0:02:01 > 0:02:07Our eyes met across a crowded staffroom. Emma's an English teacher, I'm a science teacher.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10- It's opposites and it attracted. - Brilliant.
0:02:10 > 0:02:16- Do you work together? - We used to, at the same school in Eastbourne,
0:02:16 > 0:02:23but now I've continued to be a teacher and Matt is at home looking after our baby Thora
0:02:23 > 0:02:26and my son Finn, who is nine.
0:02:26 > 0:02:33- Gosh. You really have got your hands full, haven't you?- Yeah.- Well done for doing that and very good luck.
0:02:33 > 0:02:38- Sally, what do you do for a living? - I'm a stand-up comedian called Champagne.
0:02:38 > 0:02:44I've been very busy doing a lot of television. I grew up in America, in Florida.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49I was a broker. I did 13 years of television and radio
0:02:49 > 0:02:52and also my comedy and writing. All good stuff.
0:02:52 > 0:02:58- What sort of shows were you doing in America? Comedy shows? - 800 gigs approximately on there.
0:02:58 > 0:03:05- We're going to have a riot today. You've got the spangly gear! - This is Hollywood, isn't it?
0:03:05 > 0:03:09Dave, did Sally charm you with her sense of humour?
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Kind of. We met in a pub in Croydon. She was doing a gig, on stage.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- Was she very funny?- Not too bad.
0:03:16 > 0:03:23- I've got to say that.- Faint praise from the old man! You've got your number one fan here, girl!
0:03:23 > 0:03:28- OK, she wasn't bad.- She was funny and afterwards we had a drink.
0:03:28 > 0:03:35- We got engaged three or four months after that, been married six years. - That's...- Love at first sight.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37It's good fun. Have a great time.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41The money moment. £300 apiece. Here comes your £300.
0:03:41 > 0:03:48There we go. You know the rules. Your experts await and off you go! And very, very, very good luck!
0:03:48 > 0:03:52My goodness, we've got some characters today.
0:03:55 > 0:04:01- So have we ever been to a place like this?- Years ago, but that's a long time.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- This is my first time, actually. - Oh, marvellous, marvellous.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- Do we like a bit of bling?- Yes! I love bling. Look at me.
0:04:10 > 0:04:16- I'm looking for something unusual, maybe copper or silver. - A bit of copper, silver, bling.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Typical heating engineer. Always copper!
0:04:19 > 0:04:24- Are we going to spend a lot of money?- As little as possible.
0:04:24 > 0:04:30- Oh, really?- But we are open. - Open to offers?- We don't mind if we think it'll make a profit.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34- That's good. That is the name of the game.- Quite so.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39And with that thought, David has a plan for the Blues.
0:04:39 > 0:04:45Always spend time scouring these little cabinets. There are often little treasures,
0:04:45 > 0:04:49but you need to really get your eye in. There's a little boat.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54- Is that silver or silver-plated? The cruet there.- It's plated.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56- It's £80.- £80.
0:04:56 > 0:05:01- Could we have a look at it?- Sure. - What do you know about the designer?
0:05:01 > 0:05:06- Is it signed?- I think it's signed. Might be numbered.- That'd be nice.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11- But that's plate, yeah? - That's plated. Now, rule of thumb,
0:05:11 > 0:05:17silver plated items are not good news and I avoid them like the plague. However,
0:05:17 > 0:05:24when you look at something like that, which is really funky, and date-wise probably 1930s...
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- It looks a bit Deco.- Yeah.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31- What would the trade best price on that be for me?- £70.- £70.
0:05:31 > 0:05:38- Do you want to have a think? - Shall we go for it? I'm happy. Go for it.- My gosh!
0:05:38 > 0:05:45- You're a bit worrying, you are! I quite like it.- I'd go for it. - All right.- I think it's wonderful.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49- I've done all the talking. - I love it.- But it's quite pitted.
0:05:49 > 0:05:56- It is.- It's the shape of it, though. - It's a good shape. The condition could be better.
0:05:56 > 0:06:02- It couldn't be a trickle less, could it? Just a trickle less. Give us a chance in auction.- 65.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- Oh, thank you very much. - She's too eager!- She is.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10- Do you want it?- Yes! I do. I think it's wonderful.- Thanks.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15- A nice, quick purchase. - Well, I'm all for decisive action,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18but Sally, cor, she's hot to trot!
0:06:18 > 0:06:23Meanwhile, Catherine's found a cardboard box. Nice.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27- It's the school thing coming out. - Oh, my God, yeah.- Being a teacher.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32But they're missing the little brass slides over the inkwells.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- Aren't they lovely, though? - They are so cute.
0:06:36 > 0:06:43I spoke to him about this. I don't know a huge amount about tools, but sometimes these sell rather well.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48- We've got a nice selection of planes here.- Yeah.- We've got a saw.
0:06:48 > 0:06:54- A few nice set squares.- Yeah. That's quite nice, isn't it? - There's a spirit level.
0:06:54 > 0:07:01He said he's take £60. I don't think that's too bad. There's quite a lot in there.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05- It's not pretty and exciting. - No. It's utilitarian, though.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Do you get many tool collectors?
0:07:08 > 0:07:15- Well, I've sold planes before and sometimes just one can make £20 or £30.- Emma's blown away.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19- She loves them. - It's a risk, but I'm willing.
0:07:19 > 0:07:25- Yeah?- Let's do it. - I'm going to have a little last word with him and see what I can do.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Yeah, work your magic, Catherine.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- Now has Champagne Sally struck again?- David, what about that?
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- That hits me. - What are we looking at?- The chair.
0:07:35 > 0:07:41You can imagine that in an elegant hall. With a beautiful green plant. What do you think?
0:07:41 > 0:07:45It is exactly that, a hall chair. It was probably one of a pair.
0:07:45 > 0:07:51Nicely made. It's got leather cover here with an oak - looks like oak...
0:07:51 > 0:07:55Actually, I think that's... Dave, can you get your nail?
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- Stick your nail in.- Yeah. - And it's soft, so it's pine.
0:07:59 > 0:08:06- But it doesn't really matter. - Bit of damage there.- It's got age. How old do you think it is?
0:08:06 > 0:08:12- '40s? '50s? Do you think it's older? - It might be a bit earlier. It's got an Arts and Crafts feel,
0:08:12 > 0:08:18- although it's definitely not English. Who is this character? Do you know who it is?- No idea.
0:08:18 > 0:08:24- Sally?- No, no. - I don't know who it is, either, but you thought I knew!
0:08:24 > 0:08:29Call yourself an expert, David? I know Catherine does.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33- OK, guys, I got 55. - Fantastic.- Good work.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38- Are we happy? Yes.- We are. - You do want it?- We do indeed.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43- Good stuff. OK, one purchase down and two more to go.- Fantastic. - Jolly good.
0:08:45 > 0:08:51- So £55 spent. Now can David do any better? - I'll get a price on it.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Where is he? There's no one here.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56- Is it free?!- It must be free.- Hello!
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- How much is this one, please? - 120.- 120.- Yeah.
0:09:00 > 0:09:06- Are we in euros here or pounds? - In pounds.- It wouldn't make much difference these days.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- It's French, obviously. - From Brittany.- Brittany. OK.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- Unusual thing.- Very unusual.
0:09:12 > 0:09:17- What would be the very best trade price?- 100.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- Really?- Yeah.- 60?- No!
0:09:20 > 0:09:27- 90.- 90? Don't say anything yet. - We're getting closer to 75. - It's a good bargain!
0:09:27 > 0:09:33- I'd be happy at 75 if you are.- Yeah. - I'd be happy.- Would you be happy at 75?
0:09:33 > 0:09:37No, I can't. 80 for you, but my very best price.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41- - It's very unusual. - 80's fine.- Shall we go with it?
0:09:41 > 0:09:45- Thank you very much. - Blimey! Quick work.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- I love you two!- It's good.
0:09:47 > 0:09:53- Can I sit on it? - We should have tried that! - Make sure I don't fall off.
0:09:53 > 0:10:00- It's comfortable.- You look like a queen.- The Blues' shop could be over almost before it's begun.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04- There are thousands of other stalls! - If it catches your eye, buy it.
0:10:04 > 0:10:10If we don't buy something, then we lose it. As soon as you see something, grab it.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15I couldn't agree more. Take heed, Reds!
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- Oh...- Oh, what are you seeing?! - Just lots of shiny things.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- Is that for a child?- Yes. - It's a teething ring.
0:10:23 > 0:10:28- What's that made of? Is that bone? - That's probably bone.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31I'm not sure that it is bone, actually.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- It might be. That's...- Yeah.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37- And is that...?- It's hallmarked.
0:10:37 > 0:10:391910.
0:10:39 > 0:10:45- It's '18, I think. 1918. I've got a book. - Would someone buy that, though?
0:10:45 > 0:10:51- It's quite personal. - A christening present?- Yeah. What would your best price be?
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- 75.- Oh, OK.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- But the little monkey!- What monkey?
0:10:56 > 0:11:02- Oh, he's lovely.- I like the monkey. - Is he Schuco?- I don't know. I think he may be.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06- He looks like he could be Schuco. - He's got that look about him.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09- Oh!- That looks a bit rude!
0:11:09 > 0:11:14- That's a bit worrying.- Knowing what monkeys are like.- How much is he?
0:11:14 > 0:11:18- My monkey is...55.- 55.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23He's got a lovely look about him, but he's a bit bobbled.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28- Yeah. Those eyes, are they glass? - Yes, they... No, plastic.
0:11:28 > 0:11:34- How old do you think he is? - '40s, maybe? What date have you got? - I'd probably say about that.
0:11:34 > 0:11:40- Probably '40s.- He is lovely. But could you come down any more? - Yeah.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42- 20.- Yeah, 20.- Not quite that far.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- 25.- Nearly.- 26.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51- 30. That's the absolute bottom. - Could we do a deal on the two?
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- What did you say for that? 75? - Yeah. They can be 100, the two.
0:11:56 > 0:12:02- 100.- But there's no more movement. - We've got just under half an hour.
0:12:02 > 0:12:08- Would you be able to put them aside for us for a little while? - How long?- Just 20 minutes.
0:12:08 > 0:12:15- Lovely. - Let's have a little think. Thank you so much for your time.
0:12:15 > 0:12:21Come along, Reds. You need to take a leaf out of the Blues' book and get buying!
0:12:21 > 0:12:27- What about the spyglass? - We can have a look at that. They're always interesting.
0:12:27 > 0:12:33- We always lose ours. What kind of money is that? - That's 12.- £12.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37That's not actually horn. Oh, yes, it is. Sorry.
0:12:37 > 0:12:44- Oh, well done.- That's quite nice. - That's interesting. - Date-wise, Dave, what do you feel?
0:12:44 > 0:12:48- It's obviously brass.- Brass. - Em...- Good, thick glass.
0:12:48 > 0:12:53It could... Well, it's a difficult thing. It could be late Victorian.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58- It doesn't feel that old, though. - No, good. Go with your instinct.
0:12:58 > 0:13:04- Its style is certainly late 19th-century.- But I don't think it is.- It's more modern.
0:13:04 > 0:13:10- But I don't think it matters.- No. - It works, it's good-looking and could sit really well on a table.
0:13:10 > 0:13:16- You just want to buy it! Once we've bought three, we're done! - I know. I was thinking about that.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20- Maybe think about it.- Is that OK? ..I think that's fantastic,
0:13:20 > 0:13:27but they've spent so much money, can we put it down for a while? Do you mind? Thanks a lot.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31Looks like David's put the brakes on Sally.
0:13:31 > 0:13:36- Now is it time for another lesson, Reds?- A school bench.- A DT bench.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41- What is it called? DT? - Well, Craft, Design, Technology now.
0:13:41 > 0:13:47- It's got a vice. This is perfect for our woodwork tools. - This is what I remember at school.
0:13:47 > 0:13:52Using this. Putting the block of wood in and sawing it, planing it.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56- This is your graffiti as well. - Mine? No, I was a good girl.
0:13:56 > 0:14:02- I'm sure you were. - I believe you, Catherine. Thousands wouldn't.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- Look - I see bling. - Point me to some more bling.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10- How about a nice boiled egg? - Did you say bald egg?- Boiled!
0:14:10 > 0:14:14It looks a bit dirty inside. Might need a good clean up.
0:14:14 > 0:14:21I wouldn't. It's plate and it's been cleaned so many times. Now then, talk about eggs for breakfast.
0:14:21 > 0:14:27- That's pretty, isn't it? - This is a much posher eggs for breakfast piece.
0:14:27 > 0:14:33- Do you know what it is? - Em... A poacher? - It's an egg coddler or warmer.
0:14:33 > 0:14:39- Oh, right.- You'd have a little burner on the base here, some water in there, four eggs,
0:14:39 > 0:14:44- and you just keep them at a lovely temperature. How posh is that?- Wow.
0:14:44 > 0:14:51- It's fantastic.- It shows how common I am.- Listen, I'm common, too. I've never had one and used it.
0:14:51 > 0:14:59- That's nice.- It's a bit funky. - It's not you, Dave.- No. A bit of wear.- Right.- A dent in the top.- OK.
0:14:59 > 0:15:05- Oh, he's a bit critical. It's only 100 years old.- No. - All right.- It's not me.- Not you.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11After a speedy start, the Blues have caught the Reds' indecision bug.
0:15:13 > 0:15:19- I thought this was going to be really easy, but it's really hard. - It is hard, isn't it?
0:15:19 > 0:15:23There's a £1 table back there. If we need something quickly...
0:15:23 > 0:15:27Well spotted. We might need to come back to that later.
0:15:27 > 0:15:34- Dave, have you seen anything you like? Do you notice, everything I keep seeing...- We'll find something.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38I boss him around a bit too much. A bit too bossy.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40We had noticed, Champagne Sally.
0:15:42 > 0:15:46- He likes a bit of copper. - I do, but...- There you go.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49With that, look at the design.
0:15:49 > 0:15:54It looks very Art Nouveau, so 1895, 1900. Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, hand-made, copper.
0:15:54 > 0:16:00What we need to look for are manufacturers' marks on the base.
0:16:00 > 0:16:06And there is nothing. But if you found something down there that related to Liberty,
0:16:06 > 0:16:10because this is very Liberty, circa 1900, it would be hundreds.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15Because it doesn't have a mark, it's worth a few pounds.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20- Yeah. If Liberty's on the bottom... - If it had that on the bottom there.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25- Then it might be Knox. - Archibald Knox. Maybe Christopher Dresser. He's very good.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30But a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, David,
0:16:30 > 0:16:34especially if it means you don't buy anything! Speaking of which, Reds...
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- What do you want to do? Time is ticking.- Em...- Ouch!
0:16:40 > 0:16:45- I like the monkey.- Go and get your monkey, then.- Shall we?- Shall we?
0:16:45 > 0:16:50- If you can get it down... What did he say?- 30.- But he was biddable.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- See if you can get him down. He's cute.- Fingers crossed.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59With time running out, it's a last push for the Blues, too.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04- Shall we go back for the magnifying glass?- Let's think. It was 12 quid.
0:17:04 > 0:17:11- Yeah.- I think if that didn't make a profit, then we all need to jump off a roof or something.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- It's just ridiculous. That should make money.- Let's go back.
0:17:14 > 0:17:19- Go back and give him 10.- Yeah. - Sounds like a plan, guys.
0:17:19 > 0:17:25Emma and Matt are very calm and they're just taking their time, pondering and wandering,
0:17:25 > 0:17:31and not really making any dynamic decisions. So I'm going to put the pressure on a bit now.
0:17:31 > 0:17:36- Yeah, you crack the whip, Catherine. Hello, what's this?- Thank you.
0:17:36 > 0:17:43- Hello. Are you two making any decisions?- We bought the monkey and the jester.- Oh, gosh, you have!
0:17:43 > 0:17:49- This is slightly out of character. - I was wondering if Harry Potter made that worth any money.
0:17:49 > 0:17:56- What is it? A baton?- A silver conductor's baton.- So you now regret it?- Have we a change of heart?
0:17:56 > 0:18:01- What's the best you could do? - The baton has to be 110.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05Which is probably a bit much, isn't it?
0:18:05 > 0:18:09- It's ebony and silver. - It's beautiful. Is that ebony wood?
0:18:09 > 0:18:16Looks like ebony to me. What does it say? "Presented to H Platts. Horden, 1922."
0:18:16 > 0:18:21- I'd prefer the baton than the rattle.- Oh, do you?- Yeah.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23I do, actually.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25OK.
0:18:25 > 0:18:31- I really like the monkey. - We'll take the monkey and the baton off this chap's hands?
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- I think so. - What's the best price on those?
0:18:34 > 0:18:38The monkey... It's got to be 110 on that.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- Thank you. - And the monkey's got to be 25.
0:18:42 > 0:18:49- In that case we'll take that one. - Yeah, the monkey and the baton. - The monkey and the baton. Fantastic.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Well done. Fantastic.
0:18:52 > 0:18:58Well, fancy that. For all their dithering, the Reds have crossed the finishing line first
0:18:58 > 0:19:01with a double deal.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- What was that going to be? - It was 12, but 10.- A gentleman!
0:19:05 > 0:19:08An absolute gentleman.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12- Well done.- Brilliant! Ah, brilliant.- Well done, Dave.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- Great stuff. Really good. And tea on me.- Lovely! Come on.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18We're going.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- HORN TOOTS - Oh!
0:19:23 > 0:19:28Time's up! Let's remind ourselves what the Red team bought.
0:19:29 > 0:19:36It doesn't look like much, but Catherine's convinced these carpentry tools will strike gold
0:19:36 > 0:19:38at the auction.
0:19:38 > 0:19:45The toy monkey may be a bit thin on top, but at £25 he might just come up trumps.
0:19:45 > 0:19:53And it was an afterthought, but will this ebony and silver baton for £110 march off with a profit?
0:19:54 > 0:20:00- Well, you two lovebirds, how did you get on?- Very well. - Difficult.- Was it?- Yeah.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02A lot harder than we thought.
0:20:02 > 0:20:08- Did you get many admiring glances at your moustache?- You can understand it.- Well, you can.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- They need looking after. - Yours has been well-cultivated.
0:20:12 > 0:20:20- Which piece will bring the biggest profit?- It's a difficult one. I think the monkey.- The tools.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24You are all over the shop. And what did you spend all round?
0:20:24 > 0:20:30- We spent 190.- Brilliant. So I would like, please, £110 of leftover lolly.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34We've got your predictions. We wish you well with them.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- And with £110 going across to Catherine, good luck.- Thank you.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43Meanwhile, we're going to check out what the Blue team bought, eh?
0:20:43 > 0:20:50The others looked on helplessly as Sally jumped in to buy this silver-plated, boat-shaped cruet
0:20:50 > 0:20:54for £65. But will it sail away with a profit at auction?
0:20:54 > 0:20:58Sally also spotted this unusual French high-backed chair,
0:20:58 > 0:21:02but the dealer drove a hard bargain. £80 paid.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07And David didn't get much of a look in when Sally decided this horn-handled magnifying glass
0:21:07 > 0:21:14was sure to be a hit with the bidders. And at just £10 paid, she might be right.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19- I think the dream team. - I thought so. - We could have bought 10 items.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23He's got all the phrases! Did you have a good shop?
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- Brilliant.- What about you, Champers? - Really brilliant.- Yeah.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32- We've just been messing around with this guy!- That's what's so fun!
0:21:32 > 0:21:37- Just messing about and having fun. You've spent how much?- 155.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41155. So can I have 145, please?
0:21:41 > 0:21:47£145 goes to the maestro. Of course, you've got plenty of choice here at Ardingly.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50My goodness, me. You could spend it 1,000 times over.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54We wish you good fortune.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Next, my favourite piece of the programme - the stately home,
0:21:58 > 0:22:04which is today just the other side of Chichester, almost on the Hampshire border.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08And the stately home in question is Stansted Park,
0:22:08 > 0:22:13which began life as a hunting estate in the 12th century.
0:22:13 > 0:22:18Then in 1900 a fire destroyed the first Stansted House
0:22:18 > 0:22:20and it was rebuilt at great expense.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25By 1924, this relatively new and impressive building was up for sale.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30So one Vere Ponsonby, the Ninth Earl of Bessborough, snapped it up.
0:22:30 > 0:22:35He needed a place to house the family's pictures and furniture,
0:22:35 > 0:22:41saved when his own family seat in Ireland was burnt down in the Irish War of Independence.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44And where better than here?
0:22:44 > 0:22:51Well, here we are in an English country house in the middle of an English country estate
0:22:51 > 0:22:58in a dining room contained by four particularly Irish pieces of furniture.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03That's because the Bessboroughs brought some of their treasures
0:23:03 > 0:23:07across with them from their former estate in Ireland
0:23:07 > 0:23:11and the baby I'm interested in is the midget down this end,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14which looks so sweet.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19The proportions of this table are ideal to fit in to the modern home.
0:23:19 > 0:23:26And it sort of sums up everything that is good about mid-18th century Irish furniture.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30It's got a substantial Carrara white marble top.
0:23:30 > 0:23:36The frieze has been treated in a typical mid-18th century Irish way,
0:23:36 > 0:23:40carving it with diapers, that's this lozenge shape.
0:23:40 > 0:23:46It gets a bit more complicated down below with this swag, made of a solid piece of mahogany,
0:23:46 > 0:23:53boldly carved with flowers and foliage, centred by a mask. But just look at his face.
0:23:53 > 0:23:59What's going on here? This mask is supposed to represent a Green Man.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02A sort of fertility god
0:24:02 > 0:24:07that's existed way beyond the time of Christianity. Absolutely delightful.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10But, funnily enough,
0:24:10 > 0:24:12not as romantic as this.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16On the face of it,
0:24:16 > 0:24:20this looks like a rather resplendent soup terrine
0:24:20 > 0:24:24of elaborate and extraordinary form.
0:24:24 > 0:24:29But actually there's quite a story to tell on the back of this terrine.
0:24:29 > 0:24:35For a kick off, I'm going to move it so that we can take the lid off
0:24:35 > 0:24:38and see what's going on.
0:24:38 > 0:24:44Because the symbolism of the finial is very maritime.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48We've got a sailor astride a rocky outcrop.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51Under his arm is a massive anchor
0:24:51 > 0:24:56and underneath him an incredible tangle of seaweed.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Something fishy is going on.
0:25:01 > 0:25:08If I pick up the terrine itself, which is heavy, you can see there is an inscription along the base.
0:25:08 > 0:25:14And it says, "The gift of John, Earl Spencer,"
0:25:14 > 0:25:18who was the brother-in-law of the Third Earl of Bessborough,
0:25:18 > 0:25:22September the 14th, 1779.
0:25:22 > 0:25:28And if I turn it round some more, it says Captain Ed Garner.
0:25:28 > 0:25:36And then "for the gallant behaviour defending His Lordship, Lady Spencer
0:25:36 > 0:25:41"and the Duke of Devonshire against two French privateers,
0:25:41 > 0:25:45"each of equal force, to the fly swoop."
0:25:45 > 0:25:51And so grateful was Earl Spencer for that dramatic rescue
0:25:51 > 0:25:55that he presented the Captain with this trophy.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00And the vignette here shows quite clearly the action as it takes place.
0:26:00 > 0:26:06The big question today is, of course, will our teams be sporting such vainglorious behaviour
0:26:06 > 0:26:08over at the auction?
0:26:15 > 0:26:21Well, it's great to pop along to Wisborough Green to Bellmans saleroom and Jonathan Pratt.
0:26:21 > 0:26:27- In good voice?- Very good voice. - Good! You're going to need to be.
0:26:27 > 0:26:33Our Matt and Emma are really excited today because it's their moment to sell the woodworking tools.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38- There's another 20 on top of this lot!- Everyone likes a good tool.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42One or two in there are rather nice. The coping saw is a nice tool.
0:26:42 > 0:26:49So, on the whole, not a bad collection. If it was bought wisely, there could be a profit.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52I would say £40-£60 would be fair.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57That's very good of you. £55 paid. There's some hope there.
0:26:57 > 0:27:05- What about this little monkey? - Little Schuco monkey. Nice ginger colour. Some orangutan in there.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09- Sadly, I think he has seen better days.- Yes.- But he's rather cute.
0:27:09 > 0:27:14- He's not as bad as some. - He's got most of his hair left!
0:27:14 > 0:27:18He's got that... I think it's called a number two. A semi-shaven look.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22- Yes, a squaddie look. - There we go. Fun little fellow.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26- How do you rate that, money-wise? - Well, it's rather charming.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31- £20-£40, somewhere in the middle. - Brilliant. £25 they paid.
0:27:31 > 0:27:37We're getting on rather well. Now what about this conductor's baton with solid silver mounts?
0:27:37 > 0:27:43It has the air of a swagger stick about it, but it probably is a conductor's baton.
0:27:43 > 0:27:51Could be a military band. So is it going to appeal here? Have you got many bands about?
0:27:51 > 0:27:55Well, there's a bit of silver on there. It adds a bit of value!
0:27:55 > 0:27:59- But it is badly chipped.- Yeah. I don't know. £20-£40 again.
0:27:59 > 0:28:05- Really? Is that all?- Yes. Why? - £110 they paid.- Oh, dear.
0:28:05 > 0:28:10- That is a serious amount of dosh. - OK, it is fitted in a box
0:28:10 > 0:28:17- and I suppose it's quite nice, but it's pretty boring. I don't want to be too rude about it.- No.
0:28:17 > 0:28:24That's their deep, dark hole and they'll need their bonus buy. Let's go and have a look at it.
0:28:25 > 0:28:32- Matt and Emma, all right, you kids? - Not so bad.- You want to know what your bonus buy item is.
0:28:32 > 0:28:37Well, you gave Catherine £110. What did you buy, Catherine?
0:28:37 > 0:28:41- Well, I have bought you...a box. - It's a delightful box.
0:28:41 > 0:28:48- And inside the box... is a very nice ivory thermometer. - Oh, wow!
0:28:48 > 0:28:53It's by a maker Negretti and Zambra, a well-known instrument maker,
0:28:53 > 0:28:59in a nice fitted case with the maker's name on it. I think it's a jolly nice piece.
0:28:59 > 0:29:04- It's gorgeous. How old do you think? - It's mid to late-19th century.
0:29:04 > 0:29:09- Around the 1860 date.- Fantastic. - It's very nice, isn't it?
0:29:09 > 0:29:14- How much did you pay?- Well, I did actually pay quite a bit for it.
0:29:14 > 0:29:20I paid £100, but I think it's worth that and I think it's worth a little bit more than that. It's lovely.
0:29:20 > 0:29:27- I love the fact it's got the case. - It's worth that all day long. Do you like it?- I love it.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31- Yeah. Very nice.- Thank you. - Excellent.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35Good. It is difficult, though, because that's a specialist thing.
0:29:35 > 0:29:40- It is.- In the right sale, there is a market for that.
0:29:40 > 0:29:45- There are hot collectors for it. - The problem is it's in a collectables sale.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49Is someone going to pick it out? We need two people.
0:29:49 > 0:29:55- It is a smart thing, but it's a gamble piece.- Yes. - And that's the excitement.
0:29:55 > 0:30:01For the audience at home, let's find out what the auctioneer thinks of Catherine's thermometer.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04- I feel the temperature rising.- Yes!
0:30:04 > 0:30:10- You know what Catherine's like. - Well, Catherine loves her scientific instruments.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14Good name on there. A well-known name.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18I've taken this out. You've got the scale on the other side.
0:30:18 > 0:30:25Whether that's reversible when that gets worn out or...? I can't see the point.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29It's a rather odd little thing. Hopefully that makes it unusual.
0:30:29 > 0:30:34- Maybe it does.- The lining of the case is...- Shot.- yeah.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38So, you know, what can I say? £30-£40 is about it.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42- OK. £100 she paid.- Which is... - That's quite a lot.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46And quite risky for our team if they decide to go with it.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50Lots of excitement there. Moving on, the Blues.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53Looks a bit of a paltry lot. First off, this cruet.
0:30:53 > 0:30:58- Christofle and Co. - I rather like it.- Do you?- Yeah.
0:30:58 > 0:31:03This sort of nautical theme in a Deco style is absolutely right.
0:31:03 > 0:31:11- I know people who collect that sort of object and will go for a novelty cruet.- How much?- £40-£60.
0:31:11 > 0:31:16- OK, £65 paid. So they paid the top end of your estimate. - But I'm normally a little cautious.
0:31:16 > 0:31:23- Talking about caution, how do you rate this chair? - If I have to be polite...- You don't.
0:31:23 > 0:31:28- You can say what you like. It's hideous.- It's a minger.- It is.
0:31:28 > 0:31:34Hasn't got a great deal of age. It's purporting to be something a hell of a lot earlier, really.
0:31:34 > 0:31:40This is some sort of emblem, based on a 13th century coin. Rather hideous.
0:31:40 > 0:31:47Hopefully they didn't pay too much. I wouldn't rate it very highly and I've gone along with £10-£20.
0:31:47 > 0:31:52- OK, they paid 80.- Yeah.- Not easy to sell. Now, the magnifying glass.
0:31:52 > 0:31:57- That's one of those fellas from Taiwan.- The metalwork gives it away.
0:31:57 > 0:32:04- Rather cheap metalwork.- Yes. - This horn... Whether it's horn, it's got the feel of horn about it.
0:32:04 > 0:32:10It's unlikely to be horn in my view. Some sort of moulded resin. Looks like the real thing,
0:32:10 > 0:32:15- but that metalwork is terrible. - Pretty poor. This is just clamped.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19- There's no quality to it.- No. Mark you, they didn't pay much.
0:32:19 > 0:32:25- They only paid £10, so we're not expecting any vast upside. - I'd be more generous.
0:32:25 > 0:32:31- £15-£25.- There you are. - People like to use them to read their papers in their latter years.
0:32:31 > 0:32:36- It might be useful, Tim. - Thanks(!) You're my mate! Not!
0:32:36 > 0:32:41Anyway, that's it. Overall we've got some difficulty, particularly that chair.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45They'll need their bonus buy, so let's go and have a look at it.
0:32:45 > 0:32:51- So I bet you want to know what David Harper spent your £145 of leftover lolly on.- Very much so.
0:32:51 > 0:32:56Don't we all? The nation is gagging to find out.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00- OK, David, show us what you spent it on.- For a very lovely couple,
0:33:00 > 0:33:05- an absolutely delightful...- That's beautiful!- ..beautiful object. - Lovely.
0:33:05 > 0:33:11- Have a hold of him.- It's heavy. - It's very heavy. It's bronze. Obviously, it's a hippo.- Lovely.
0:33:11 > 0:33:16- That looks like you, dear! - Is that why you like him so much?
0:33:16 > 0:33:23Aww! He's cuddly. A big cuddly hippo! I want to just point something out.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26Asprey. Made in England.
0:33:26 > 0:33:33One of the most aspirational brand names you're ever going to come across.
0:33:33 > 0:33:38- It screams quality.- Yes, lovely. - Patinated bronze.- It's lovely.
0:33:38 > 0:33:44- Date - '20s, '30s. Think of that time.- Yeah. - That's an onyx base.
0:33:44 > 0:33:50- A little damage, but you've got to be forgiving of something so wonderful.- I like that.
0:33:50 > 0:33:55- How much did you pay?- It didn't come cheap. I had to beg and plead.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58- 145 quid and that's the best I could do.- Gorgeous.
0:33:58 > 0:34:03- Profit-wise, I'd like to see it make...- A couple of hundred?
0:34:03 > 0:34:09- Why not? Why couldn't it make £200? So easily.- It's not beyond the bounds of possibility, is it?
0:34:09 > 0:34:14- No.- Team, we're happy, yes? - Very. I like it.- Beautiful.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18Let's find out what the auctioneer thinks about Horace the hippo.
0:34:18 > 0:34:25- Ready for a wallow?- Oh, look at that.- It's a great-looking beastie, isn't it?- A pygmy there.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29- It's a charming beast.- Yeah. But look at his face!
0:34:29 > 0:34:35- That kind of squashed-in, piggy-looking eye, great big mouth. - They always smile.
0:34:35 > 0:34:40People like hippos. And because it's Asprey, a really good name.
0:34:40 > 0:34:46They were making quality objects for the very rich at this point, which is early 20th century, 1930s.
0:34:46 > 0:34:52- The alabaster base is a bit distressed.- Yes. It's been broken and there's a few little chips.
0:34:52 > 0:34:56- That lets it down completely. - What's it worth?- £60-£90, I reckon.
0:34:56 > 0:35:01- Is that all?- Yes.- The Harper has paid £145.- Who knows?
0:35:01 > 0:35:05- Well, quite. We certainly don't. I don't!- And my track record!
0:35:05 > 0:35:07OK, super. Thank you, JP.
0:35:10 > 0:35:16So let's wish both of our teams the best of luck because I think they're going to need it.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20- Now Matthew, Emma, how are you feeling?- Very excited!- Excited!
0:35:20 > 0:35:25- Here come your tools, girls and boys.- There's loads there!
0:35:25 > 0:35:30- A collection of carpentry tools. Two commissions.- Here we go.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34- I've got to start straight in at £60.- Good girl, Southon.
0:35:34 > 0:35:40- Who'll give me 5? Commission bid at 60. Surely worth another 5. - Oh, come on!
0:35:40 > 0:35:44Are we all done? Maiden bid of £60. 65 on the left now. At 65.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48Looking for 70. On the left at 65. £65.
0:35:48 > 0:35:53£10 profit. Well done, Catherine. Now come along, little monkey.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57Lot 1696A. A Schuco plush toy monkey.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01- Very sweet.- There he is. 15 I have to start me.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04- 15?- 18. And 20. 22.
0:36:04 > 0:36:0825. Shakes her head. 25 against you all.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11- Come on.- 28 on the right now.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15- Looking for 30 now. Do I see 30?- Come on.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19At £28, I shall sell. Gentleman over there. £28.
0:36:19 > 0:36:24- But it's a profit.- No money. - £28 is plus £3.
0:36:24 > 0:36:301697A. An ebony and silver mounted two-piece military cane.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33- And I can start at £25. - Oh, Jonathan!
0:36:33 > 0:36:3535. 40. 45.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37Come on.
0:36:37 > 0:36:4050. 55. 60.
0:36:40 > 0:36:4565. Shakes his head. Standing right now. £65.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49Surely worth 70. Who's going to join in at £70?
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Last chance. Selling at £65.
0:36:51 > 0:36:55- Oh. - That is not so good, is it?
0:36:55 > 0:36:58That's minus £32. Minus 32, lads.
0:36:58 > 0:37:03- So do we...?- What are you going to do with the thermometer?- Well...
0:37:03 > 0:37:07Do we want to win or do we want to go for it?
0:37:07 > 0:37:11- My instinct says go for it.- OK. - You're OK?- Yeah.
0:37:11 > 0:37:18- We have two punting teachers here. - We'll go for it.- Your final word? You don't need to phone anybody?
0:37:18 > 0:37:21- We might do!- OK, fine.
0:37:21 > 0:37:27Lot 1701A. We have the 19th-century Negretti and Zambra thermometer.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31Start me at £30 for this? It's bid, thank you. Let's move on.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34He's thinking about it. 35. 40.
0:37:34 > 0:37:3645. 50. 55.
0:37:36 > 0:37:42- 55, standing far left. - Come on.- It's worth it any day.
0:37:42 > 0:37:47At £55. Any more at £55? I shall sell. It's your last chance. 55.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52- Oh, dear.- Sorry! - I'm so sorry.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54Minus 45 is 77. Minus 77.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58You've got to be in for a punt.
0:37:58 > 0:38:04- You have to be philosophic and think that's made somebody's day to buy that for £55.- And that baton.
0:38:04 > 0:38:11Well, there you go. If things go really badly, £77 minus might be a winning score.
0:38:11 > 0:38:18- It might be.- In which case, don't say a thing to the Blues. - We'll keep schtum.- Good sports.
0:38:30 > 0:38:36- So how are you feeling, Sal? - Fingers crossed, fingers crossed. - I'd cross everything.- We need to!
0:38:36 > 0:38:43- There is a bit of a dark hole opening in the middle of your items and that's the chair.- Oh, gosh!
0:38:43 > 0:38:49- Oh, we loved that chair. - You paid £80 for it. The estimate is £10-£20.
0:38:49 > 0:38:55- Ouch!- It's not so often that a really nice man like Jonathan Pratt becomes unprintable
0:38:55 > 0:39:02- in his dismissiveness about that chair. He really didn't like it. - That's a shame. I loved that.
0:39:02 > 0:39:09- We don't like him any more. - First up is your Deco Christofle cruet. And here it comes.- Right.
0:39:09 > 0:39:15Lot 1717A. A 1920s silver-plated cruet, modelled as a boat,
0:39:15 > 0:39:20by Christofle. Start me... I've got nothing here. Start at £10.
0:39:20 > 0:39:2410 is bid. There we go. At £10. Surely worth 12. 12 is bid.
0:39:24 > 0:39:2715. 18. 20.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30He shakes his head. £20. Surely worth 5.
0:39:30 > 0:39:36- £20 on the left. Any more at £20? It's a good-looking lot, this. - He's trying.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40Are you all done? £20 and selling. All done at 20.
0:39:40 > 0:39:45- Minus £45. That was one of your stars!- I know.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49- Let's wait for the chair, then! - Uh-oh. Here comes the chair.
0:39:49 > 0:39:561718. A French pine and brass-studded leather hall chair. Magnificent piece of furniture.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00And I have bids on the book to start me at - wait for it -
0:40:00 > 0:40:0320...30....
0:40:03 > 0:40:07- Go on.- £40. I'm in at £40. - Yes!- At £40.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11Who'll bid me 5? 45. Clears the commission.
0:40:11 > 0:40:19- I'm out at 45. Looking for 50. - Come on.- Selling at 45. At £45 and going. Last chance, 45.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23- Not nearly as bad.- There ARE people with taste and discrimination!
0:40:23 > 0:40:28- Exactly.- Minus £35. Look out. Here comes the magnifying glass.
0:40:28 > 0:40:33Lot 1719A. An early 20th-century magnifying glass with turned handle.
0:40:33 > 0:40:3620? 15?
0:40:36 > 0:40:41- Go on.- If I have to, 10. £10. Give me 12. Surely worth 12.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43- Last chance, everyone.- Ouch.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47- At the front at £10. - Wiped its face.
0:40:47 > 0:40:53- There we go.- Could be worse. - Anyway, the fact of the matter is you are minus £80, Harper.
0:40:53 > 0:40:59- What'll you do about the hippo? - I like it, so we'll trust David and go with that.- Yes.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03- Decision made. Here it comes. - Come on.- Here it comes.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07Nice here. A patinated bronze figure of a hippo by Asprey of London.
0:41:07 > 0:41:12- And plenty of interest here.- Good! - I can start at...
0:41:12 > 0:41:17- £140 straight in with me. - Good start.- A fiver off.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20£140. Surely worth 50 now. 150. 160.
0:41:20 > 0:41:27- Yes!- Do you want one more? Commission bid. £160 and selling. All done?
0:41:27 > 0:41:31Well done, David Harper. That is very good.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34- That is plus £15.- A quality item.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38- Which means overall you are minus 65. All right?- Yes, brilliant(!)
0:41:38 > 0:41:43It could be a winning score. I think we'll have an exciting finale!
0:41:43 > 0:41:48- Don't say a word to the Reds.- No. - Not a dickie bird. - We don't like the Reds!
0:42:00 > 0:42:07Oh, dear, oh, dear, oh, dear. It's no secret to the audience that you've made spectacular losses
0:42:07 > 0:42:14around and about today. Anyway, the team with the greatest losses today are...the Reds.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16YES!
0:42:16 > 0:42:20- There's nothing to be proud about! - We're proud!
0:42:20 > 0:42:27- Minus £77 doesn't make pleasant reading.- No.- Have you had a nice time?- It's been fantastic.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30Something to tell the kiddiewinks.
0:42:30 > 0:42:35- Indeed.- Absolutely.- Lovely having you. Thanks for taking part.
0:42:35 > 0:42:41But the victors today, who have won by only losing £65 are the Blues! They're very pleased.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45- We're very good.- You have absolutely no plusses on your score card
0:42:45 > 0:42:50with the exception of David Harper's bonus buy, the hippo.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54- Yes.- Horace.- Horace the hippo. - He did well.- Wonderfully.
0:42:54 > 0:42:59- Have you had a nice time?- Brilliant. - We've loved having you.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03- Join us soon for some more bargain hunting! Yes?- ALL: Yes!
0:43:03 > 0:43:09I know you're sitting thinking, "I could have done better than that!"
0:43:09 > 0:43:12Well, what's stopping you?
0:43:12 > 0:43:16If you think you can spot a bargain, go to our BBC website and apply.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19It'll be splendid to see you!
0:43:19 > 0:43:23Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2012