Epsom and Dorking 12 Bargain Hunt

Today we're in Dorking.

Home of Mayflower Pilgrim William Mullins.

And this is where he lived with his family which is thought to be

the only home of a pilgrim father still intact.

And this impressive building dates from the late 1500s.

Most pilgrims were seeking religious freedom,

but not William Mullins.

A successful shoemaker,

it is thought that he wanted to start one of the first shoe shops

in the new colony. But will our teams be as plucky as the pilgrims

as they venture into the world of antiques?

Let's find out.

Let's go Bargain Hunting.

Today our teams are in Dorking town centre

and there are loads of antique shops to choose from.

Our teams have £300 to buy three items in just one hour

but which of our teams will choose wisely to make profit at auction?

Let's have a peek at what's coming up.

The Reds get into a row.

-I'll let you have the final item.

-You're not arguing, are you?

We're having a little discussion.

The Blues receive incredible news.

Oh!

I can't believe it, you're a hero.

And at the auction, there's highs...

-Oh!

-Straight in!

..and lows.

But that's all for later, first let's meet today's teams.

We have got sets of friends.

For the Reds, we have good chums Matthew and Luke.

And for the Blues, we have friends Sylvia and Caroline.

Welcome, everyone, hello.

-ALL:

-Hello.

That is lovely, to have you along.

So, Matthew, how did you two meet?

We met at uni.

I was a first-year and Luke was an elderly second year.

I wanted to see the blockbuster Jurassic World,

unfortunately none of my friends share the same passion as I do

so Luke took pity on me and we went together

and thus a great friendship was born.

Great pals, you've been pals ever since.

-Yeah.

-Now you're studying at uni, what do you do?

I do history at uni, currently in my final year and it's going well.

Very serious subject, are you a serious young man?

I like to think I'm serious for serious issues.

Right. This boy should go far.

Now Luke, tell me about you, what do you do at uni?

I'm studying classics, so Ancient Greece and Rome, language, archaeology,

history and stuff. I'm in my final year as well.

Do you think those subjects will help you out there in the antiques world?

I'm hoping so. I might find a little something related to Greece or Rome

that I know something about, but I don't know.

Now you are a bit of an adrenaline junkie. Tell us all about that.

Luke, your pal's laughing.

My family have always been big into our skiing,

snowboarding and then mountaineering as well so a couple of years ago,

a friend from school, we did an unguided ascent of Mont Blanc

to the summit, mountaineering. It was terrifying.

Was it? You were scared?

Parts of it were pretty rocky.

-It didn't put you off?

-We completed it, it was great.

-Wouldn't do it again.

-Now boys,

you're great chums but how are you going to get on as a team?

We're going to be impulsive, listen to our guts as well.

And probably spend most of our money.

Well done, anyway.

Well, that's it for the Reds, let's have a talk to the girls.

Sylvia, you are a professional singer.

Tell me a little bit about your career.

My first recollection of singing was at the age of three.

So then I just continued singing and went to opera school,

then I went around Australia. I was with the Opera Australia

and then I came to the UK and I've been travelling around the UK

and France and America.

Tell me how you two girls met up.

Well we were both on a tour of America in 2008

on a Gilbert and Sullivan tour of the Mercado,

and I played Katisha and Buttercup respectively

and Caroline was my cover.

-She never got on.

-I never got on.

Now, Caroline,

you're a singer as well but you've moved on to do other things.

Tell me a bit about that?

Yes, I retrained as an acupuncturist and moxibustion specialist.

What is that?

-I thought she might ask.

-Do you know, boys?

-BOTH:

-No!

-And they go to Oxford.

Well, it's kind of a narrow band of knowledge,

it's a very ancient form of curative process.

It's using the herb Mugwort and it's very, very good for pain.

That's absolutely fascinating.

Now, you're obviously good friends,

but how are you going to get on shopping together?

-I'm a bit impulsive.

-Oh, right.

An impulsive bargainer?

But I'm kind of more careful.

And what will the tactics be?

To buy not too cheap because I think if a thing is cheap, it stays cheap.

You want quality?

-Yeah.

-Yes. We want quality.

-You want quality?

-But at a good price.

-Tricky.

-Does that sound like a good idea?

Sounds like a great idea.

Now for the money moment.

£300 for you boys.

That's a lot of dosh for two boys.

And £300 for the ladies.

Your experts await, so off you go.

I sense theatrics in the air today.

'All our teams need now are their experts.'

'Looking out for the Reds, it's Danny Sebastian.'

'And supplying some worldly wisdom for the Blues, it's David Harper.'

OK, guys, what are we looking for today? Matt?

We're looking to spend early and we're not going to be afraid

-to spend a bit of dough.

-Great.

Something glass, like a beautiful goblet, you know, ceramics,

Oriental ceramics.

First 15 minutes I want to get £100 spent so we can calm down

and have a proper think afterwards.

I like silver and I like jewellery and anything else

that takes my fancy and anything that I think might make money.

That's what it's all about.

Clock's ticking, your time starts now.

Come on, let's go looking.

-Let's go make some money.

-Too right!

'Both teams head to one of the antique centres

'in Dorking high street and dive straight in.'

-Get yourselves in there.

-Lots of nice things.

Spend that money.

Art Deco bowls, that always sells quite well, doesn't it?

-Let's have a closer look.

-Shall we have a look?

£44.

It's not very exciting, is it?

What are you thinking?

-Not that.

-Don't like the look.

Shall we keep moving? The clock's running.

'A bit of a false start from the Reds but what about the Blues?'

I'm looking at that.

-What?

-That globe.

-OK, OK.

-But I'm saying it's all our money practically.

-Yes, exactly.

-So I'm rejecting that immediately.

I like that, quick decision-making.

-Sylvia, come on.

-I saw something up here.

This is going to be good.

'While David seems hopeful,

'the boys are interested in a piece of pottery full of character.'

So the Falstaff,

quite famous character, Dickens, well, Shakespeare actually, sorry.

I beg your pardon. People will be...

-Interested?

-Yeah.

Is it something that you really like? What drew you to it?

I don't know, it looks good, it's a famous character.

I think we could really go for it.

I definitely think someone who likes the character, likes these,

will be perhaps willing to pay quite a lot for it if it catches their eye.

-It's quite a quirky design.

-Not even a lot, over 20 quid.

Over 20 quid, you'd hope so.

And there may be even a chance we can get it for a little bit less

-than 20 quid.

-Yeah, we can try.

-Does there seem to be any damage on it,

-can you see?

-Get in there, have a look.

You've got to look at items, you've got to get in there,

you've got to have a look, make sure it's 100%.

It looks all right to me.

A good way to find out whether there's any little cracks

is to just tap it. And when you tap it you can always hear,

if there's a crack in it, you can hear like a dull sound.

You'll know straightaway, oh, there's a crack somewhere on it.

And this one to me...

-Sounds good to you?

-Sounds solid.

-Great.

-You know, I think we're in for a chance with this to be honest.

-Yeah.

-It's got a lovely stamp on the bottom that says Royal Doulton.

We know it's...

Shakespeare, Falstaff, yeah.

Sounds like a winning formula to me.

-Yeah, start spending.

-Yeah, I think we'll go with you, Danny.

Shall we see what's the best price the manager can get for me?

-Yeah.

-OK, thanks.

'So, as Danny goes off to find out, Sylvia's keen eye has come up trumps.'

I quite like the look of that.

-Let's see it. Let's see it.

-Let's have a look at it.

Do you think those stones are turquoise?

-They look like it, don't they?

-Or just plastic?

No, they look like real stones to me.

What does it say? Victorian.

-Yes, absolutely.

-Victorian. Not too bad a price either - 68.

No, it's not. It's far too expensive.

-No, but it's...

-And it's walnut.

It seems to be in reasonable condition.

Has it got its original lining?

-Yes.

-No, it hasn't.

-It hasn't?

It's missing something, isn't it?

Somebody's been using this as a sewing box.

Yeah. I think it probably did start life as a sewing box,

-it would have had compartments.

-A divider.

Yeah, little compartments and maybe cushioned pads.

-Yes.

-Oh, OK.

-So that's missing.

-OK.

-But good quality.

We are getting into your taste, what was it that drew you into it?

I liked the turquoise and I liked the brass work and the walnut.

-OK.

-I just liked everything about it.

Good, well that's a good enough reason.

I think that's a good enough reason to get it, actually.

Look at this, this is decision-making,

you don't buy everything that you see!

Yeah, but I think...

-But I like this.

-Yeah, you like it.

-I want to make an offer.

-I'll go and get the shopkeeper.

-BOTH:

-OK.

'A potential sale for the Blues but how are the Reds getting on with theirs?'

If you're willing to stick your neck out...

I think I will for this one, I'll let you have the final item...

You're not arguing, are you?

-Well, we're having a little tiff...

-A little discussion.

-A little tiff, discussion? Well, let's discuss this.

-OK.

Got a fantastic price.

-£12.

-12, OK, great.

-We've got to go for that.

-I think so.

I think we'll take it, brilliant.

We are not exactly, we're a lot short from this £100,

but I know the timing, you've done it in great timing and £12,

I think there's a good chance this will probably make £15-£20

-at auction.

-Excellent.

-That's great stuff. Let's take it.

-Well done.

-Where are we going next?

-Well, Luke has been looking at this barometer.

-I'm not so sure, but...

-Different antiques, different prices,

-Let's go and take a look.

-Let's have a look.

'Well done, boys, ten minutes gone and the first item in the bag.

'Meanwhile the ladies have a bit of haggling to do.'

-This is the lovely Charles.

-Hello.

-Hello, Charles.

-Sylvia and Caroline.

-Hi.

We like this box very much.

-It's a lovely box.

-Trouble is the insides are missing

and it has been...

-..repaired...

-Little bit of a repair, yeah.

..at the back. And of course there's no key, so I'd like to offer £35.

I know for a fact, ladies, that the very, very best

the dealer will accept is £50 for this.

-That's their bottom line?

-OK.

-How are you feeling?

-Well, my feeling is if you like it,

somebody else will like it.

-All right.

-Let's go for it.

-For an extra five quid.

For an extra five quid.

-Are we going to have it, then?

-Yes.

Yes. Decision!

Jolly good. Shake Charles' hand.

-All the best, all the best with it.

-Thank you very much.

'Great job, Blues, and just a minute behind the Reds.

'It's 1-1. As the Blues go exploring,

'Luke has tracked down the barometer he saw earlier.'

-£85.

-85 quid?

-I don't know.

-I mean, we've got a lot of money.

-We have got a lot of money.

-Do you think anybody's going to spend that

sort of money on a barometer?

That's relatively cheap. I mean, that's quite nice.

It's a hand-held one.

And with the instruction booklet as well, the box and everything.

It stands out to me. I haven't seen one like that before.

'The Aneroid Barometer was invented in 1844 by French scientist Lucien Vidie.

'These slowly replaced mercury barometers,

'being easier to use and much cheaper.'

Look, if you're willing to stick your neck out on this one...

I'll let you have the next one but I quite like this one.

If we can get it down to 60, you know, I reckon that would be a good deal.

But you haggled well last time, Danny, let's see if you can do it again.

Hold on a minute.

I thought you said earlier that you two guys have got great, well,

I know you're great characters, you've got great haggling skills?

-We do.

-So who's the best out of the two?

I don't know, we do a bit of good cop, bad cop.

-It's a team thing.

-It's a team thing?

One of us has to be the hard man.

-Shall I see if I can get the chap up?

-Yeah.

And then the two of you can work your magic on him.

-Absolutely.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-Give us a minute.

'Meanwhile the Blues have spotted something unique.'

I was looking at that picture frame there.

I've never seen anything quite like that before.

I'm looking at the price of 130 and I'm thinking that is quite expensive.

But it's really unusual.

-Yes in fact...

-Art Nouveau.

-..Art Nouveau.

-That's exactly right.

-Which it says, and it's French.

What do you think it's made of, copper?

I think-I think copper, yes, I do.

It's very, very good, Caroline.

It's very good.

It's also very good as in, bad price.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

What do you think, at auction?

I think the auctioneer is going to go 50-70.

Safety. But it's worth substantially more.

-More.

-Yes. Same old story.

-Same old, isn't it?

Same old story.

Despite all the disadvantages over price,

I think it's a go for because it's so unusual.

-Sylvia, how do you feel?

-I agree.

-Yeah. OK.

Do you want me to go and get Charles and bring him back to you?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Shall I do that? You chat away, I'll go find Charles.

It's your turn to do the bargaining this time.

'While David goes to find the manager,

'the Reds are hoping to prove their haggling skills.'

It is quite a striking piece, isn't it? We've got this booklet.

I mean...

We don't really want to pay 85.

What's the best price we can get on this?

-What do you think?

-Can we get it down to, say, 60 or even lower than that?

Not quite, but the very, very best I'm sure the dealer will do

would be 65.

-Oh!

-I'm happy with that, 65.

As I said, it's your neck on the line, mate.

Yeah, I'll put my neck on the line for this.

That's quite a good price, really,

cos generally, it's about 10%, what the centre sort of allows,

leverage, and he's pushed the boat out a little bit there for us,

-hasn't he?

-Yeah, he has, Danny.

-Well, I'll stick with my partner in crime, Luke, here.

-Thank you.

-I think we'll take it, great.

-We'll risk it.

'I think Danny was impressed, boys.

'That's two items down for the Reds after just 15 minutes.

'Back upstairs with the Blues, David has some news.'

OK, I've spoken to the owner,

I've explained to him that we think it's going to be 30-50,

50-70 in auction.

And he said to me, "Give me the middle ground - 50."

Oh!

Oh, I can't believe it, you're a hero!

I can't... My heart is singing with that, because it's fabulous.

-That's good.

-It's so... Well done!

I'm so excited about that.

So, are you saying you want it, then?

-Yes!

-Oh, right, OK!

Oh, my God. Tell him before he changes his mind.

-I'll go and tell him, you chat away.

-Immediately.

-Oh, my goodness.

Oh, I can't believe that!

And you didn't have to bargain.

What an amazing bargain.

That has got to be the bargain of the year.

Right, it is a wonderful thing but we've got one more to buy.

-Yes!

-Hurry up, come on.

-Right.

-Off we go.

-OK.

'The delighted Blues are again level pegging with the Reds.

'Both teams are on the home straight now, looking for their final item.'

-What about this, Danny?

-What have we found?

We've got six handcart crystal champagne.

Crystal champagne flutes.

£68, six flutes.

Quite nice, crystal cut, it says.

Does it say crystal cut? It is, it's quite nice.

-No damage.

-No damage!

-They're quite new, I assume.

-This is the thing.

-They're more than £10 each.

Let's get something a bit more antiquey.

-Yeah.

-I think you want something a bit more antiquey.

-After that last item.

-I think you also want something that's...

They're just six plain champagne saucers.

I think we've got a lot of money left.

You know, let's get something big, let's get something glamorous.

And you know, let's go out with a bang.

'Danny wants the boys to spend big but it's the ladies

'who've found an expensive item.'

What are you looking at there? With the bronze?

-Yes.

-This one?

-With the violin.

-This one?

-Yes.

It's quite a modern one. It's quite a cool...

It's quite a cool thing.

-But at 200...

-200!

'Too pricey for the Blues, but with only 15 minutes left,

'both teams still need to buy their final items

'and the Reds have spotted a Victorian hat stretcher

'priced at £135.'

Quite nice, quite a nice decorator's piece, that.

-135?

-And you know, it's got a lot of history to it.

You know, sort of late Victorian.

It's just a piece that you probably won't see a lot.

A real antique!

-What do you think of that?

-It's a good sort of price range

for something at £135.

So, what would something like this that was sort of in better condition

-go for, if you don't mind?

-Well, I think it's in good condition.

You might look at the base and you see a little crack.

But you know, it's a working tool.

This has been worked and used for years while it's making hats,

you know, in a milliners shop.

And people do like a bit of wear and tear and a little crack

and a split here, because it just kind of shows its authenticity

-and its age.

-Yeah.

-So, I think that price is...

You know, it's not bad, to be honest,

but if we can just get some more chipped off,

then it's more profit we can make at auction.

Perhaps if you go, Matt, and see the best price the vendor can give us.

Absolutely, I'll try and work my magic!

-You do your best.

-Do your best!

'Back with the Blues, who have found a cabinet full of potential.'

There's some quite interesting little things here.

Perhaps something little?

-Little?

-Something little and nice.

Little, nice and shiny.

Little, nice and shiny!

-Could we look at the scent bottle?

-Charles is on his way.

'While the Blues wait for the key to the cabinet,

'Matt has returned with some news.'

I tried my hardest, I worked my charm.

I managed to get it down to 90 quid.

-90 quid? 90, that's brilliant.

-That's not too bad, is it?

-90 quid is excellent.

-See, I told you I could haggle.

90 quid is excellent. I thought it might be over 100.

If you get it down to 90, we are really in with a...

-A sure buy!

-Yes!

-I definitely think so.

-We'll take it at 90, well done.

Tell you what, I said we were going to end on a bang, didn't I?

-And we have done. Brilliant.

-Excellent.

-Well done.

'Fantastic negotiating, Matt.

'That's the Reds' final item with ten minutes to spare,

'while the Blues are having a closer look.'

-One scent bottle.

-Lovely. OK. Good shape.

-Good size.

-Yes!

Um, silver top.

Yes, I like the cutting on the glass.

-That's very pretty.

-How do you open it?

-OK.

-Ah!

-There we go.

-Oh, is that its original stopper?

And then it's got its stopper!

-That sweet, isn't it?

-That's lovely.

-Yes, very sweet.

-Almost like a marble there.

-Yes!

-It is, it's lovely.

-I like that.

-Date-wise, you can see.

1923.

You saw the label, I was going to test you.

-Oh!

-I was going to test you.

-I know.

-Because what's interesting

about this is it's very traditional.

-Yes!

-In 1923, this is the time of geometric designs.

-Very true.

-And the Art Deco movement is just picking up.

Yet the person that bought this didn't like that movement.

It was too modern, too horrid.

They liked the traditional world.

-Yes.

-But I like the plain top, too.

And it hasn't been engraved.

Is it the kind of thing that you would use?

Would you use that today?

I would use it on my dressing table.

-Would you fill it?

-Just as a decoration.

-Would you fill it with perfume?

-No, I wouldn't.

-Why?

I think it would be magnificent.

Imagine with a bright red or blue perfume,

with the light reflecting off the cut crystal.

-Fantastic.

-That's why it was created like that.

-Yes, yes.

-To put coloured liquids in there,

to look drop dead gorgeous on your dressing table.

-Well, I like it.

-Yes! So do I.

-I'd like to go for this.

Oh, you two! When you get your teeth into something...

-I know.

-..there's nothing stopping you!

-And we're running out of time.

-That's very true, very true.

And also, I like it not so much for the time but I actually like that

and if we had plenty of time, I'd still like it.

Yes, precisely, it's good.

You would? Right, couple of minutes left.

-Charles.

-Charles.

-Price-wise, come on in.

-What can we do?

-Right, OK.

Well, I can do...

Let me see.

77. That's what I'm authorised to do, but I can make a call, of course.

Would you mind, terribly?

-Yes!

-Of course.

-But Charles, would you also make it really quick?

-Yes, sure.

-Thank you.

'It's all a bit tense as the Blues wait anxiously.'

-So, are we getting a bit tight for time?

-Yeah, we are.

-Come on, Charles!

-Coming. 70...

-Oh, good.

-What did he say?

-70.

-Shouted 70, did he?

60!

-What was that?

-No, no.

Charles?

-Right, David, ladies.

-Yes?

-Got hold of the dealer.

The very, very best she can do is £70.

-OK.

-OK, we'll do it.

-Excellent. Thank you, ladies.

-Good luck.

-We have no other choice.

Thank you, Charles!

-Thank you, David.

-But we like it as well.

-Yes.

COCK CROWS That's it, teams. Time's up!

Well done, you two.

Let's remind ourselves what the Reds bought.

'First up, they both pored over this Royal Doulton Falstaff jug at £12.'

'They put the pressure on to get this 20th-century chrome barometer,

'£65 paid.

'And finally, this early 20th-century hat stretcher

'really stretched their budget at £90.'

Luke, tell me which item you like best.

I think the third item was my favourite, which was the milliner's block.

-Oh, right.

-It's quite a distinctive piece, quite a lot of character.

So, we're hoping for a big win on that one.

Is it going to make the best profit?

I think so, we got it for a very good price.

Excellent, excellent.

Matthew, what was your favourite item?

Um, I have to agree with Luke.

My favourite item was the milliner's block,

and I'm pretty sure that's the best chance we have of making a profit.

Well, you spent £167.

Could I have £133, please?

-You can. There you go.

-All right, OK.

Thank you, boys. I'll pass that right over to Danny.

-Thank you, Anita.

-All right.

Now, Danny, have you any idea what you're going to buy for the boys?

Well, I think I'm going to go with the same strategy.

Something with a bit of risk.

While Danny goes off to take some risks,

Let's remind ourselves what the Blues bought.

'First up, Sylvia found a gem in this Victorian walnut and turquoise

'jewellery box at £50.

'Caroline thought this Art Nouveau photo frame was picture perfect

'for £50.'

'And finally, just in the nick of time,

'this early 20th century cut glass scent bottle cost £70.'

You loved all your items.

But what was your favourite one?

The walnut box with the turquoise and the brass, I loved that.

Ah, wonderful. Is that the item that's going to make the most

-profit, though?

-No.

I think it will be the lovely Art Nouveau picture frame.

All right. Caroline, what was your favourite item?

It has to be the picture frame, I adored it.

-You loved it.

-Yes!

Is it going to make the most profit?

You know, I think it will, because David got a fantastic price for it.

Wonderful, wonderful. So, you spent £170.

Could I have 130, please?

-There you are.

-That's lovely.

I'll pass it straight over to David.

-What are you going to buy?

-You know, Anita, I have no idea,

but whatever it is, I'm going to buy it with great energy, enthusiasm

and passion.

While David goes off to buy his bonus buy,

I'm going to travel 30 miles south to find out more

about an extraordinary discovery.

'The South Downs National Park is a picturesque setting,

'with rolling hills as far as the eye can see.

'But it also boasts the site of a phenomenal history,

'dating back to the Romans.'

It was here in 1811, local farmer George Tupper was ploughing

his field and hit on something hard underneath the soil.

'What he hit upon was the foundations of a large Roman villa.

'It was immediately excavated,

'where they then found numerous breathtaking Roman floor mosaics.'

'According to the experts,

'they are amongst the most magnificent in the entire Roman world.'

I've come to meet Lisa Tupper,

whose husband is a descendant of George Tupper.

So, this is the summer dining room.

Tell me about this mosaic.

So, here in this pictorial piece of the mosaic, we have Jupiter -

the King of the Gods.

Jupiter here is depicted as the eagle -

the King of the Roman Gods.

And he was flying across the top of Mount Ida when he spotted the boy

who he has in his talons now.

He was a shepherd boy.

His name was Ganymede, attending his flock of sheep.

Now, this is incredibly detailed.

What would that have told us about the family that lived here?

Well, we think it was a Roman gentleman who came to Britain,

married a British lady and started a small family here.

There would have been 70 family members living here

and they would have had between 300 and 400 slaves

to tend to the 2,000-acre farmland that they had.

And you've got something else that you found here?

Yes, we have the Roman ring here...

..which was found on the north corridor.

Not too far from where we're standing, in fact.

And that is a solid gold ring with a carnelian stone in the centre,

very similar to amber.

Engraved on that carnelian stone is the Goddess of Love and Beauty,

and that would be Venus.

Wow!

That is amazing.

This is what's called an intaglio ring,

where the stone is carved or incised to form a pattern.

And this centre stone in this intaglio part of it would be used as a seal.

-Right.

-And these rings were used by important and wealthy Romans.

And these are greatly sought after.

I think that these rings from that period that are worth

many thousands of pounds.

But it really is part of the story of the villa and part of your family

-history as well.

-It is. Thank you.

-So, I suppose you would be hanging onto it?

-Definitely.

'The corridor where the ring was found is the second longest

'in the UK at 70 metres long, and it's a sight to behold.'

So, this is the north corridor.

This is a corridor that would have linked all of the rooms on the north

-wing together.

-Tell me about it, how was this made?

This would have been laid directly onto the floor in situ,

with pre-cut tiles that your labourers would have cut for you.

And this would have taken four people about six weeks to lay.

So, six weeks for this floor!

But 18 months for Ganymede.

Yeah, a lot longer for the Ganymede because it's more intricate.

The Ganymede would have been laid in a workshop and you would make your

pattern, then you'd put a gluey substance, like rotten fish guts,

-for example...

-Fish guts!

Nice! ..over the top.

lay down your linen, your material.

That then glues to the tiles and then you bring your mosaic to site

-and lay it in situ.

-A bit messy, though?

Very! And a bit smelly!

This is fantastically beautiful.

Now, who is this?

This is Venus, the goddess of love and beauty,

depicted here with her nimbus, her crown.

This is one of the finest mosaics that we have at Bigner and probably

in the world.

Lisa, thank you so much for showing me these wonderful mosaics

and telling me about the grand Roman history of Bigner.

But now it's time to see if our teams can conquer the auction

and make profits that a Roman Emperor would be proud of.

I've travelled to Bellmans Auctioneers in West Sussex

to meet auctioneer Jonathan Pratt. Hello, Jonathan.

-Hi, Anita.

-It's lovely to be here.

-Thank you, nice to see you, too.

-Yeah.

Well, Reds first of all.

Luke and Matthew's first item was this Doulton character jug, Falstaff.

The market for the early character mugs,

they are the ones that make lots and lots of money. He's not a rarity.

No. What's your estimate?

-£20 to £40.

-20 to 40. Well, they only paid £12.

-That seems fair enough to me.

-So a possibility of a profit there.

-Yes.

-Their second item was this rather attractive Alttmeter barometer.

What do you think of that?

Well, it's not terribly old, but it's something for a gentleman's desk,

and should be perfectly saleable.

At what price, Jonathan?

I've put £10 to £20 on it.

They paid £65.

If I get there I'll be really, really pleased.

-Yeah.

-The pressure is on.

Their third item was this milliner's hat stretcher.

Tell me, what do you think of it?

Very tactile and you can see the age to it as well,

and it has a sculptural quality, and I think that's a really neat thing,

but it will have a limited appeal.

So, obviously I'll have to work hard on that one.

What's your estimate?

-£20 to £40.

-20 to 40.

Well, Jonathan, you'll have to work really hard on that one,

because they've paid £90.

-OK, yeah.

-It's a lot of money.

-It is, yeah.

-It looks as if they might need their bonus buy.

So let's go and have a look at it.

Well, boys, you gave Danny 133.

Danny, did you spend it all?

I didn't spend it all, but I did take a risk.

-ANITA GASPS

-I like a risk.

Let's see if you're going to risk this one.

Ah.

-Very nice.

-What is it?

It is a 20th-century painted spice rack.

I just think the proportion was very well,

I think it can fit in anyone's room, fit in a nice kitchen.

-How much was it?

-£35.

-OK, yeah.

-Nice.

What do you think it could make at the auction, then?

£55, £75?

-OK, yeah.

-I think there is definitely room for a profit.

-Yeah, I like it.

-Practical.

-You've done well, Danny.

They like it, Danny, they like it,

but you don't need to make up your mind just right now.

Wait until your first three items have been sold.

But in the meantime let's find out what the auctioneer

thinks of Danny's spice rack.

Danny bought this little spice drawer rack.

Actually it has quite a nice touch about it.

It is a bit contrived, this one, I think.

It looks like it has been rubbed down and whatnot,

but it's a nice colour and it's a nice finish and it's ready to go.

It's a perfectly functional item and it will sell very well.

-Estimate on that?

-£50 to £80.

-Well, they paid 35, so they could do well.

-Exactly.

-Well, that's it for the Reds, and now onto the Blues.

The first item is this rather attractive walnut and gilt metal box.

What do you think of this, Jonathan?

This is a very typically late Victorian object with the sort of

cabochon to look like turquoise, and it's a nicely figured walnut,

and the metal mounts have still got gilt on them.

-It's all right, really, isn't it?

-It's all right. Estimate on that?

-£50 to £80.

-Well, they only paid £50.

-Yeah.

-Their second item was the little Art Nouveau picture frame,

but there's not much to this little thing.

What it's got in it, it's got a lot of style,

and you can see the Art Nouveau in it and you can see the age in it, too,

but other than that, it's made with fairly low-cost metals.

-It's not terribly big, either.

-OK. What's your estimate?

-£20 to £40.

-Well, they paid £50 for it,

so they might struggle a wee bit with that.

Their third item - and Caroline loved this -

was the cut glass and silver topped scent bottle.

Tell me what you think about that particular one?

It's nicely cut, it's nice quality.

Actually the shape is really nice and if you've got some perfume

in there and the colour, it'd be quite a nice dressing table item.

I think we stand a chance of getting quite a good price for it.

Excellent. What's your estimate?

-£30 to £50.

-30 to 50. Well, they paid £70.

If I got 70 for it I'd be delighted, but I'll work my best for it.

Yeah, yeah. They may need their bonus buy.

Let's go and have a look at it.

Sylvia, Caroline, you spent £170.

-Yes.

-You gave David 130.

David, what did you buy?

-Are you ready, you two?

-Yes.

-Oh!

-That's lovely.

-Isn't that pretty?

Do you know what it's made from?

-Onyx?

-Onyx?

Yes, onyx. And the rim?

-Is it silver?

-It is silver.

-Oh, it is, it's real silver, too.

-Beautifully marked.

-Marked.

-And how old is it?

-1820?

-Oh, right, now you're 100 years out.

1916.

How much did you spend?

Darling, forget the money side!

Oh good, we'll take it now!

-50 quid.

-Oh, my goodness.

-That's good.

-It's cheap enough, isn't it?

Oh, I think so.

-Cheap enough.

-It's beautiful. So David,

how much do you think this will make at auction?

On a good day I don't see why somebody wouldn't pay £100 for it.

Girls, you don't need to make up your mind just right now.

Wait until your first three items have been sold, but in the meantime,

let's find out what the auctioneer thinks of David's onyx box.

So what do you think about David's bonus buy?

It's rather pretty, isn't it?

It is. You can see the striations of colour,

it's opaque but you can see through it a little bit, too.

It's a hard stone and I like that and it's silver mounted, dated 1916.

I think it's a really nice quality item, actually,

-and it would have been a very expensive object when it was first bought.

-Yeah.

Can you tell me what's your estimate on that?

I'd certainly think £50 to £80.

Well, excellent, David only paid £50.

-Yeah.

-Excellent. Are you our auctioneer today?

-I am indeed.

-Oh, fantastic.

I can't wait.

Who's got five?

Luke, Matthew, auction day.

-How do you feel?

-Great.

-You feel great?

-Great.

-A little bit nervous, but...

-Ah.

Now, boys, your first item is the Royal Doulton character jug,

Falstaff. You only paid £12 for that, well done on that.

-Hopeful for that one.

-Let's hope we can make a profit on it,

because it's coming up now.

Lot 321, the Royal Doulton character jug, Falstaff.

Start me £30 for it.

£20 then. 10, Oh, come on.

10 is bid, who's got 15?

Maiden bid. 12.

We are in.

-15.

-Yes, we are into profit, boys.

£18 is bid.

20. Where's two? Come on. 20 here, where's two?

£20, any more at 20?

Fair warning.

-20.

-Good start.

-You're into profit, boys, that was a great start.

Plus £8, well done.

Your next item is the wonderful little scientific instrument.

It's the altimeter and barometer.

You paid £65 for that.

-We're doomed.

-I'm a bit worried about that one.

-We're doomed.

-Well, let's see what happens,

and it's coming up right now.

323, chrome on glass portable folding altimeter-barometer

by Dalvey.

Interest on the book, I've got £20 straightaway.

£20. 5, 30. 35. 35 in the red, where's 40?

40. £40 down here.

Anyone else, if you're interested, it's your last chance.

-Gentleman here, £40 and selling.

-That's not too bad.

£40, hard luck, boys, I thought that would have done more.

So there was a minus of 25 on that,

which takes up you to minus 17.

-OK.

-But, we have our third item coming up -

the marvellous hat stretcher.

-Yeah.

-You paid £90 for that.

So good luck on that, boys. You could pull back.

-Let's hope so.

-Here it is.

Lot 325, an early 20th century pine and steel table-top hat stretcher.

Commission on the books of £60.

Do want to go 5, madam? 65, 70 with me.

-Come on.

-75, 80 with me.

85, 90 with me.

-Oh, yes.

-95, 100 with me.

-Yes!

-110.

And I'm out now, it's 110. On the left at £110.

110 with the lady standing.

Lady's bid fair warning, 110.

110, well done, that was brilliant, boys, that was brilliant.

That's plus 20.

So that's taking you back into profit.

You are now plus 3.

Are you going to take your bonus buy?

Danny paid £35 for the little spice cabinet.

-Are you going to take it, boys?

-Yeah, definitely.

-Definitely.

-We'll put our faith with Danny.

-We trust you, Danny.

-He's guided us so far.

-You're the one.

-Good luck, boys.

It's coming up now.

Lot 331, a blue-painted pine hanging nine-drawer cupboard-spice rack.

I've got £60 on commission.

60, where's 5 then?

Straight for the kitchen this, come on, £60, where's 5?

£60, it's not a lot of money, this.

£60, anyone else in the room?

You're all scared now, aren't you? £60. Any more at £60?

I'm going to sell it, then.

It's your last chance, 60, 60, 60's going, all done?

£60, you nearly doubled your money, Danny.

That's terrific. So that's a marvellous profit of £25

on that lot, which takes you in total to plus 28.

Congratulations, boys.

-That's brilliant.

-Congratulations.

-Oh, Danny.

-Thank you, Danny.

That could be a winning score.

I sure hope so.

But don't say a word to the Blues.

Sylvia, Caroline, auction day, the room is packed,

the auctioneer is in fine voice.

Tell me how you girls feel.

Butterflies.

I'm looking forward to it.

-Great.

-It will be great fun.

Your first item is that lovely Victorian box with the marvellous

turquoise-like cabochon stones.

You paid £50 for it.

Let's hope for profits because it's coming up right now.

Lot 347, a Victorian walnut and gilt metal-bound

domed topped jewellery box.

35 on the book straightaway.

35, 40 and 5.

50 and 5. 60 and 5.

70 and 5.

80, I'm out now. £80.

£80, where's 5?

On the right, £80, looking for 5.

At 80, I'll sell. No other bids in the room.

Selling to you, sir, at £80, fair warning.

-£80.

-£80.

-How good is that?

-Wonderful.

-Wonderful, girls.

That is wonderful!

Plus £30 on your first item.

Plus 30.

Second item is that lovely little Art Nouveau photograph frame.

Simple, yet elegant.

-Yes.

-You paid £50 for it.

-Yeah.

-Good luck, girls, because it's coming up now.

Lot 349, an Art Nouveau gilt metal framed photograph frame.

And with this, starting with me, I've got £25.

Come on. £25, come on.

-£30 anyone?

-Come on.

-Maiden bid of £25.

-Push it.

-Not looking like it, it's £25, I have to sell it.

At £25, all done.

No.

Oh, hard luck, girls.

Get it in one hand and you lose it.

That's minus 25. But you're still in profit, girls, with £5.

Let's hope we can make profits on the third item.

It's the little scent bottle with the silver cap.

So good luck on this one.

Coming up now.

Lot 351, an early 20th century glass bottle with a Birmingham hallmark,

1923 mount and cover.

I've got on the book 25.

£30 to start. We're starting at £30, 35 and 40 with me.

-Come on.

-45, I'm out now.

45 here. Looking for 50 now.

45, come on, ladies.

£45, no.

It's 45 down here. Selling at £45, gone quiet.

Your bid, sir, at 45 I shall sell.

It's going £45.

£45, girls, I really thought that would've gone further.

I thought so. Yeah, I would've thought so.

So hard luck on that one.

So that was a loss of £25 on that...

-Yeah.

-..which takes you to an overall loss of minus 20.

Girls, at this point, you have to make up your mind.

Do you want to take David's bonus buy?

-Yes.

-Absolutely yes.

Yes, yes, yes.

David paid £50.

You're going to take it, and it could pull you back into profit.

-It could, yes.

-Good luck, girls.

It's coming up now.

Lot 357, an early 20th century onyx-lidded box of spherical form.

London 1916.

It's a really nice quality object, this.

Someone start me at £40.

£20.

-Wow.

-Got to be £20.

£10 then.

-Oh. Oh.

-£10 I'm bid.

-Silver mounted on its 1916 box.

-I don't believe it!

I've got 25. 30.

£30 at the back, and selling at 30.

It's going at 30.

-Surprised and disappointed. £30.

-GAVEL BANGS

£30, oh girls, I'm disappointed.

-I know.

-We all had faith in it.

-Yeah, that's right.

-So minus 20 on the little box,

which takes your overall score to minus 40.

-Oh, dear.

-Oh, well.

-Oh, dear. I've known worse.

-Oh, yes?

You've seen the programme before, then?

I've seen the programme before.

I've also known better.

-I've known better.

-But girls, it could be a winning score.

It could, yeah, yeah.

So don't say a word to the Reds.

No, no, no, no.

Well, gals, guys, did we have a good time?

-ALL:

-Yes!

-It was great fun, wasn't it?

-It was terrific.

-Well, in Bargain Hunt, we have winners

and we have runners-up.

And today's runners-up

are the Blues.

Girls, you bought beautiful, stylish items.

-Yep.

-But it's just, unfortunately, two of them didn't make profits.

In the end, girls, you're minus 40.

Today's winners were the boys.

You spent a lot of money on that milliner's hat block.

You paid £90 for that.

Were you a wee bit worried about that just before it come up?

No, I was always confident it would make the profit deserved.

I don't believe it!

Yeah, well, it came good in the end.

You were plus 28.

Who will I give the money to?

-I'll keep that.

-That's for both of you.

If you would like to find out more about Bargain Hunt,

check out our website or follow us on Twitter.

But best of all, join us soon for more Bargain Hunting!

-Yes? ALL:

-Yes!