

David Harper and Hettie Jago – Day 4
Season 27 Episode 14 | 43m 39sVideo has Closed Captions
Hettie Jago hunts for animal-themed antiques. David Harper finds an Art Deco figurine.
It’s all about the Lakes, and Hettie Jago hunts for animal-themed antiques, including equine vesta cases and Japanese netsukes in the form of crabs. David Harper tracks down a bear and an Art Deco figurine.

David Harper and Hettie Jago – Day 4
Season 27 Episode 14 | 43m 39sVideo has Closed Captions
It’s all about the Lakes, and Hettie Jago hunts for animal-themed antiques, including equine vesta cases and Japanese netsukes in the form of crabs. David Harper tracks down a bear and an Art Deco figurine.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipVOICEOVER (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts...
Which way are the bargains?
VO: ..behind the wheel of a classic car... Do you know where we are?
No.
VO: ..and a goal, to scour Britain for antiques.
Act one, scene one.
VO: The aim, to make the biggest profit at auction.
Ta-da!
VO: But it's no mean feat.
There'll be worthy winners...
Woo!
Happy dance!
VO: ..and valiant losers.
Heartbroken.
Close your ears.
VO: Will it be the high road to glory...
It's just delightful, isn't it?
VO: ..or the slow road to disaster?
VO: This is Antiques Road Trip.
VO: Yeah!
Today, we're back in the land of the lakes, home to 16 bodies of water and an awful lot of sheep.
DAVID: Oh, look at over there!
Yan tan tethera.
Isn't that interesting?
What on earth is that?
It's just that I'm actually in Cumbria and I'm blending in with the locals.
They have a different language in Cumbria?
Yeah, that's how the farmers count their sheep.
Yan tan tethera, three sheep.
I mean, if there's any more than three sheep, I can't count them.
VO: Ha!
Just as well we only have two experts, plus a classic car, to take account of then... ..with latest doyenne Hettie Jago and, by her side, David Harper.
All present and very much correct.
I'm wearing a 1970s vintage jacket.
HETTIE: Yeah.
DAVID: It's like...
It suits the car, doesn't it?
Yeah, you've the whole vintage vibe going on.
I like it.
DAVID: I have.
HETTIE: I'm here for it.
VO: Yeah, and now it feels like the time to introduce their delightful motor, a 1984 Mercedes 280SL.
I mean, the jacket is actually older than the car, but it works because...
This is another interesting fact.
Yeah?
This model of car was first introduced in the very early 1970s.
VO: Fascinating!
HETTIE: En garde.
VO: Hettie from Nottingham is an auctioneer and a dealer who, despite her tender years, is hooked on antiques... Ooh, we've got a whopper!
VO: ..while Northumberland's own David is a dealer and artist.
Looking good.
VO: And although clearly not a musician, he's very much set the tempo of their saleroom contests this week.
£750, then... DAVID: Yes!
HETTIE: Wow!
VO: And in the best of five competition, David already has an unassailable 3-0 lead... ..not that Hettie won't be playing for pride, of course.
And she could always learn a few tricks from the old hand.
DAVID: Do you know, when I first started on the Antiques Road Trip, I think I was one of the youngest.
HETTIE: Really?
Now I feel like one of the oldest.
I think I might be the youngest.
You've got to be.
VO: Remember, they began with £1,500 each, and Hettie still has 857 at her disposal... ..while David has a wee bit less, 643.
They have to make this last the whole trip.
And that goes for conversation as well, of course.
I'm gonna tell you something really interesting.
OK. More interesting than the last fact?
I've probably peaked when it comes to interesting facts.
VO: Well, after starting out in Scotland, they soon began to head south, exploring first the Borders and then the Lake District, making the most of every stop along the way.
Did you know that you can only, strictly speaking, make Cumbrian sausage... HETTIE: Mm.
DAVID: ..in Cumbria?
Oh really?
VO: It's called protected geographical status.
Today's lake-themed shopping drama starts out in Keswick, beside Derwentwater.
The poets used to flock here, and it also has one of the country's oldest cinemas.
And there's Hettie's shop.
Note the alliterative title.
Having been dropped off by her chum, £857 to spend, remember, at Keswick Collectables.
So, will she take a leaf out of David's book and seek out some quirky one-offs, or will she stick with her first love, sparkly things?
HETTIE: This looks good.
Let's have a go with this.
I love clockwork toys.
Let's wind him up, see what happens.
Nothing.
Come on, little guy... (RATTLING) Ah!
He's great, isn't he?
VO: Hours of fun!
You done now?
Give you a little rest.
Put you away... (CHUCKLES) VO: Just toying with him.
VO: Proprietor Mark is also working hard, keeping the vinyl crackle free.
These are really fun.
I've gotta have a look at these.
I'm always drawn to anything that's novelty, and these are novelty vesta cases.
The way it would've worked is your vesta case would have a little striker on it somewhere, so this one's on the horseshoe.
So you strike that... ..and you can set fire to whatever you want to.
VO: Matches were once called vestas after the Roman goddess of the hearth.
I really like the detail on this one.
It's quite fun.
This one's made of brass, and this one, I think, is silver plated.
I think they're probably late Victorian.
They've got age to them.
They're antique.
Anything equestrian-related does really, really well at auction, and I really, really like these.
They've got £40 and £45 on them.
I'd quite like to buy both, cuz I can't decide which one I prefer.
VO: That was quick.
Ha!
Is there anything else you might take a fancy to?
HETTIE: Hello Mark.
MARK: Hello there.
MARK: How are you doing?
HETTIE: I'm great thank you.
I found two things I really like, but also I'm just wondering whether you've got anything you haven't put out yet that I could...
I always have bits that I've not put out yet.
HETTIE: Brilliant.
VO: Ah, good thinking, Hettie.
Have a look in here.
There's some... HETTIE: Ooh...have a little... MARK: There you go.
..good look through.
Thank you.
Um, so... Got some cufflinks in there.
Some jewelry.
I'm in my element now, you see.
Let's have a look through here.
So you've got a Victorian mourning brooch.
I'll have to put my glasses on, I can't see a thing!
HETTIE: Good start, isn't it?
MARK: There you go, yeah.
HETTIE: This nice little pendant with what looks like some sort of gold nuggets or something in it... (LAUGHS) Would look lovely on a chain, wouldn't it?
VO: This all seems to be going very well.
That looks like it's gold.
MARK: Yeah.
They're all little bits I've had...
I struggle with tiny bits, displaying them... MARK: ..so, that's why... HETTIE: Yeah.
..they've been in that box for quite some time, so...
The question is, if I were to buy the vesta cases and this, what could you do..?
VO: The combined ticket price of those is £85, remember.
I'll tell you what... My best price - my very best price, no haggling - will be £80.
OK, that...
I think sounds good.
Yeah, I'll...I'll shake your hand at £80.
BOTH: Thank you very much.
VO: Mm, I'm not surprised.
That is quite a deal, making the vestas £45 and the little collection £35... leaving her with 777.
HETTIE: Great.
Thank you.
MARK: You look after yourself.
Bye now.
Bye bye.
VO: But just as Hettie was getting started, David headed for the lake.
No antique shops there, of course, but a bit familiar, nonetheless.
This is just like driving a classic car - on water.
It's bumpy, it's bouncy, it's not the most comfortable, it's drafty and it's chilly, but it's also wonderful.
VO: Captain Harr-per will be joining his chum at the very next stop, but until then, he just has to maneuver nicely amongst the crowds.
And, like a classic car, you're going at no speed at all, but you don't need speed on a lake like this.
It's about being one with the lake.
VO: Quite.
So, with David still currently adrift - Ha!
- let's make land once again at Bowness-on-Windermere, a very popular tourist spot, where Hettie's keeping her feet dry at Antiques On High.
Although I suppose she could always buy a boat.
777 still in her locker, remember.
VO: Looks like she's already spotted something shiny, though.
HETTIE: This is good.
Initially I thought it was a card case, but when you open it up, you've actually for your cartes de visite or visiting cards.... You've got two sections here where you'd hold your sovereigns, so you'd put your money in there.
There's a little notepad in there as well!
This...
I love this.
I need one of these in my life.
So you've got a mirror, check your make up... (LAUGHS) You've got your money, you've got your visiting cards.
What more could you need?
This is ideal for the Victorian lady.
VO: Described as a minaudiere.
HETTIE: It's got "14-carat gold on sterling silver" stamped inside it, so that's good.
We know it's solid silver, it's good quality.
And on the clip it says "made in the USA."
So I think, considering the size of the coin holders, I think it's made in the US, but for the UK market.
It seems in good condition.
It's got this gold overlay to it.
Unfortunately, it does have some initials on it.
VO: Making it a tad less desirable.
Let's have a look at the price.
So, it's got £100 on it, which is... it's a fair price.
So I might have to go and speak to them about this, because I really, really like it.
VO: £100, eh?
And now here's our mariner to join her... ..with £643 available.
VO: And, after his little voyage around the lake, he'll be itching to start spending.
Uh-huh.
Hettie's off to the basement.
Mostly furniture down there, I think.
HETTIE: Oh, this is nice...
I'll give that a go.
VO: Busy day, I suppose.
HETTIE: Oh!
Oh, luxury!
DAVID: So, is this your cabinet, then, Graeme?
It is, yes.
So you're a bit of a silver man at heart?
GRAEME: I am, yes.
DAVID: Yeah.
I think I can hear David upstairs.
I hope he's not getting all the bargains!
VO: Merely consulting shopkeeper Graeme.
DAVID: Is he silver?
GRAEME: It is, yes.
Is it...?
It's not British, though, is it?
It could be American, I think.
That is very stylish.
So, it's a lapel flower holder, "as worn by Hercule Poirot."
GRAEME: Indeed.
DAVID: Come on!
No, at the...on the TV series.
Right?
He always has a flower on his lapel.
Actually worn by him?
No.
Maybe.
Who knows?
VO: Another Agatha Christie mystery.
But that little debate does seem to have prompted Hettie into action.
In traditional Japanese dress, you would've worn your kimono, you would have had a sash around the waist, which is called an obi, and the problem with that is that you didn't have any pockets, and this little guy, this little crab, is the solution to that problem.
VO: A netsuke.
HETTIE: They would attach to a string and they would sit at the top of the sash.
String would hang down here and attached to the end of the string, you'd have a medicine box called an inro, or you'd have anything that attached that you'd want to carry around with you, like writing implements or anything like that.
And these are called netsukes, and they're actually quite collectable, just as a little carved sculpture.
VO: Yes.
Kimono wearing's not as popular as it once was.
They've got quite cute little faces as well.
I keep being drawn to animal things, but animals sell.
I keep saying it, but animals always sell well at auction.
Or animal-related things, not actual animals.
VO: Yeah, we know what you mean.
HETTIE: So I'm just looking at them now, turning them over, and they are quite well carved.
But I don't think there's a huge amount of age to them, unfortunately.
If there was, they'd be worth a lot of money.
I can see they've got this stamp to the base.
They are signed.
This is called a Tokyo stamp, this little red ink stamp here.
They've both got one of those.
I like the fact there are two of them.
They're not matching, but... (SOFTLY) They've got £89 each on the ticket price, which I think is a bit too much.
But if I can get them for a good deal, the two together...I might be interested in buying those.
HETTIE: (CALLS OUT) Graeme?
VO: Here he comes!
Hi.
VO: There's also the £100 minaudiere, of course.
I really like these netsukes.
They are quite nice, aren't they?
They are.
So you've got £89 on each of them...
If I were to buy both, could we do a little deal?
Mm...
Right, yeah.
I could probably take them down to 100.
VO: Promising.
Yeah, I'll think about that one.
You've also got the little silver compact with the little sovereign holders, and all sorts going on in there.
HETTIE: (LAUGHS) GRAEME: The minaudiere.
Yes.
I like that word!
So if I were to buy them both together..?
GRAEME: 200.
HETTIE: £200?
GRAEME: Mm-hm.
OK.
I'm gonna go for them.
GRAEME: OK, good.
Thank you.
I'll shake your hand at 200.
Thank you.
VO: She's spent big today.
Thrown down the gauntlet, you might even say.
But are we done yet?
Oh, hello... Now then.
He looks like a very interesting little character.
But what is he?
Is he a bear?
Is he a wolf?
Oh...he's a bronze bear.
Now, he's got a look of terracotta, don't you think?
But he's definitely bronze, described as Han dynasty.
That's Chinese.
So, Han dynasty, roughly 200BC to 200AD.
So he's knocking on the door, if he is Han dynasty, of 2,000 years old.
So I need to really get my thinking gears in action here.
DAVID: Graeme.
GRAEME: Yes David.
What...what are your thoughts?
Is he 2,000 years old or 20 days old?
Yeah, I believe it is 2,000 years old.
And we do have paperwork for it.
VO: Thanks Graeme.
He's also priced at £340, by the way.
So we've got a certificate of authenticity here from known auctioneers of antiquities.
So it's been inspected by Dr Ivan Bonchev, University of Oxford, and he says it is, in his opinion, authentic.
So described as Han dynasty or later ancient China, because there's no date mark on this thing.
But they are saying ancient China, so it wasn't made 20 days ago, in their opinion.
Estimate £1,000 to £2,000.
VO: It would've been buried in a tomb to protect the dead.
I think he's fascinating.
It's sending shivers up the back of my spine.
He's worth a punt, isn't he?
Would you agree?
VO: First crabs, now a bear.
Grr!
GRAEME: Good.
DAVID: Is he speaking to you?
He is, yes.
I think he's quite nice.
DAVID: He's priced at £340.
GRAEME: Yes.
How much can I buy him for?
You can buy him for the whole £340, I'm afraid.
GRAEME: It's a... DAVID: Is that it?
GRAEME: That's it I'm afraid.
DAVID: I'm gonna have him.
GRAEME: Right.
DAVID: Thank you very much.
Thank you.
VO: One bear coming to auction, and 303 left over.
DAVID: Hey, look.
There's three of us now.
VO: So that's yan, tan and tethera.
VO: Back in the jalopy... Oh... You know, we should do a trip on bikes.
I think that would be absolutely hilarious.
We went everywhere on bikes instead of in the car?!
We could race around...
In fact, here's Philip Serrell, look.
VO: Everyone's doing it.
But where do you put your knick knacks?
VO: Ha.
Nighty night.
VO: Wake up, you lot, to another gorgeous day in the lakes, although most of them are actually waters.
HETTIE: This is my kind of thing.
I grew up in the countryside.
Do you like getting your wellies on, getting out there and getting dirty?
No, but I like going for a walk if it's like a clean walk... HETTIE: ..and there's no mud.
DAVID: OK. VO: Well, she certainly got her hands dirty when shopping yesterday, oh yes, acquiring a small collection of jewelry, a pair of netsukes, two vesta cases and a minaudiere, as you do... HETTIE: This is ideal for the Victorian lady.
VO: ..and now has 577 left... ..while David covered less ground, but spent more, picking up only an ancient Chinese bear...
It's sending shivers up the back of my spine.
VO: ..leaving him with 303 to be going on with.
Now, about that nice, clean walk... Are you fed up with me yet?
My nuances, my quirks.
I do like your nuances and I really love your quirks.
You being quirky is just normal to you.
Yeah, I think I'm normal and everyone else is quirky!
VO: Don't believe everything you're told.
VO: Day two of their lakeland experience, strictly district, begins in Cartmel... ..a wonderful spot beside the river Eea... ..where Village Vintage will be David's destination, having been deposited by Hettie.
He still has just over £300, remember.
DAVID: Brilliant clothes here.
VO: So, what might he plump for?
Little off the shoulder number?
Oh... Oh!
We do love a bit of Chinese porcelain.
The thing is, you've gotta ask yourself, how old is this Chinese porcelain?
Now, this is the Antiques Road Trip, so it's got to be antique.
Often you'll find character marks, Chinese character marks, on the base.
So, there is no mark.
In a way, it's much easier now to date it, because you look at the style, it's a punch bowl, it's a party bowl, it's famille rose, hand-painted in enamel.
And it was designed for the western market, because we, in the west, in the 18th and 19th century, we just had this fascination with the orient.
VO: Called famille rose after the dominant shade of pink.
Paintings there of what we might have assumed was kind of normal Chinese life.
Of course, it was completely elaborated, but truly exotic.
So this one is absolutely 19th century.
1850 to 1900, that kind of time.
Feels good.
It even sounds good.
Listen to this as I'm just rubbing it... (BOWL RINGS) It's beginning... (BOWL RINGS) ..to sound like a bell.
So it's priced at 70 quid.
That's no money.
There's profit in this if it rings well.
When I say ring well, I mean...
I think it's gonna be a good one... (BOWL RINGS) It's still going.
That is about the best ring I've ever had.
I'm gonna have to do it one more time... (BOWL RINGS) (GASPS) The sound of heaven.
VO: Ah.
And with porcelain still ringing in our ears, we now head towards Hettie's current location, to the north and east of the town of Kendal, complete with enchanting ruined castle, and with many distinctive limestone buildings, including her next shop.
But aside from being a bit of an antique itself, could Sleddall Hall contribute to the Hettie cause?
HETTIE: (STRUMS BANJO) (CHUCKLES) VO: Don't call us.
Look at this tiny, tiny little spoon.
Now, this is called a mote spoon and they were used throughout the 1700s.
And there's a bit of debate as to what exactly they were used for, but it's to do with tea straining.
Some people think that you would have skimmed the surface of your tea to remove any dust or tea leaves.
Other people think that you would've poured your tea through the spoon and it would've caught any tea leaves.
But, either way, it acts as a sieve, essentially.
And the other end was actually used to remove any blockages in your teapot.
So it was a useful little tool.
I think it's Georgian.
I think it's probably circa 1750.
VO: Very soon, tea strainers would render them obsolete.
HETTIE: It is made of sterling silver.
It's...
It's got £375 on the ticket price, which is too much for me.
But they are very, very collectable, and it is probably worth that to a collector.
There aren't very many of them still around, but it's a nice thing to look at.
VO: She could afford it, though, with 577 in her purse.
Anything else?
These are nice...
They've got sort of Japanese, oriental symbolism all over them, and the dragon wrapped around it.
The symbolism of the dragon in east Asian culture is power, it's strength and good luck.
Let's have a look at the base.
So there's no markings to the base or anything.
I think they're probably late 19th century, I would say.
They're Meiji period.
VO: 1868 to 1912, and made of brass.
HETTIE: And, looking at them...
Perfect, they are a pair.
They face each other, which is always good to know.
I'm just gonna look at this other one as well.
See, they're in good condition, so if we can get that down a little bit on price, then I think these might be coming to the auction with me, and hopefully bring me some good luck.
VO: Gird your loins, then.
HETTIE: Hello Robert.
ROBERT: Hello Hettie.
I've found two treasures.
So you've got 75 on them.
Yeah.
I think, to you, 30.
Brilliant.
I really like them so I will definitely shake your hand at 30.
Thank you so much.
VO: Cor, thanks, Robert.
Less than half price for those.
ROBERT: Thank you.
Thank you.
HETTIE: Lovely to meet you.
VO: So while Hettie departs with £547 left, we return pell-mell to Cartmel, where David was last seen making sweet music with this famille rose bowl.
VO: And Denise is definitely the woman to talk to.
Hats off, though.
He's still rummaging.
So I want to show you something absolutely drop dead gorgeous.
It's art deco, 1925.
It's the Flame Leaper, after Ferdinand Preiss.
This is plastic, Bakelite, and it is a replica of an original, very well known, terribly expensive sculptor who made this shape in bronze.
And the limbs were carved from ivory.
But, ironically, even though it's plastic, it's now worth more money than the originals.
VO: But if the amount of ivory used is less than the law permits, then originals can still be sold at auction.
There's one arm.
It will attach eventually.
Another arm to attach here.
But just look at the shape.
It really is so good, honestly, it's painful.
Priced at £30, needing restoration.
Is she or is she not just absolutely drop dead gorgeous?
And it's worth restoring, and it will get restored, because it will be sold by me in auction and it will make profit.
There's a prediction for you.
VO: Duly noted!
DAVID: Denise, lovely to see you.
Lovely to see you again, David.
There's two wonderful things I really want to buy.
So, the first one, 19th century Chinese famille rose bowl, punch bowl.
Hold on.
I bet you've never done this.
Hang on... DENISE: OK. DAVID: Stay there.
(BOWL RINGS) It's amazing.
VO: Bowled over.
DAVID: Priced at 70.
Can it be 60?
For you?
Yes.
DAVID: Brilliant.
Thank you.
Upstairs, art deco figure, badly damaged.
DAVID: Lovely thing... DENISE: Yep.
Priced at 30.
I'm just gonna have it.
DENISE: Fabulous.
VO: Adding up to £90.
Pleasure to see you.
VO: 213 left with one shop still to go.
See you soon.
See you again, David.
Bye bye.
(BELLS) VO: Ah, the bells of Cartmel priory.
DAVID: (CHUCKLES) Hello.
VO: But meanwhile, elsewhere in the county, Hettie has temporarily escaped the hurly-burly of antiques acquisition in the little village of Sedgwick... ..where the Victorian singer and composer, Mary Wakefield, democratized music making, when she created one of the first competitive festivals.
VO: And Hettie's come to the local church to learn more from Janet Thompson.
(CHURCH ORGAN) HETTIE: Janet, that is such a beautiful piece of music.
How does that relate to Mary Wakefield?
That was the Festival Chorale, Hettie, that we sing at the end of every Mary Wakefield concert since 1902.
It's the most beautiful piece by Bach, and Mary chose it for the festival.
How did that come about?
Mary was born into a Quaker family, but by that time they were Anglicans and a very affluent, very important family in this area.
And she sang, she'd got a lovely contralto voice, and she also played the piano.
And she was a very talented lady, very special person.
HETTIE: Was she a performer herself?
No, she couldn't be a professional performer, because her father wouldn't have that at all.
He didn't think it was right that she should take work away from people who hadn't got as much money as they had.
So she only took part in amateur charity concerts.
And that was very frustrating for her because she could easily have made a professional career.
VO: So Mary set about encouraging the music making of the local people instead, starting choirs near her village and attracting writers and composers to Sedgwick House.
JANET: This is the famous tower of song, and up there was Mary's music room, and she had a wonderful view over towards the fells.
On all sides, there are windows, but her piano had to get up there.
OK, how did they do that?
JANET: Well, we've got a picture, and it shows a ladder and pulley system, and they took the windows out and they pulled the piano up.
HETTIE: Oh wow.
VO: Overcoming further obstacles in order to make music more important for all, regardless of sex or class, Mary organized her first competitive music festival in 1885.
JANET: So here we are in this beautiful hall that was perfect for musical events.
There were 500 people present, and they had four local choirs singing a quartet.
So Mary facilitated music education for people from all backgrounds?
Because she realized how privileged she was.
She'd had lessons, she'd been to London, she'd been to Rome, and she wanted to share her joy of music with people who were not as fortunate.
VO: And Mary's festival soon went from strength to strength, relocating to nearby Kendal, but always remaining true to its roots.
Even today, there are no cash prizes, only trophies.
This one looks silver to me.
What's this one for?
JANET: This is a very special one, because this was given to Agnes Argles, who was the sister of Mary, who helped her with the festival over the years.
And this was given in her memory.
So, we're very pleased that we've got the young violinist, Tiegan, who won that cup, here with us today.
HETTIE: Oh, brilliant.
Well, I love singing, so can I join in?
Is that OK?
Just fantastic.
VO: Congratulations, Tiegan.
Proof of Mary's enduring legacy.
And just in case you were wondering, our Hettie really can sing.
In fact, she won a choral scholarship.
# Ave Maria... # gratia plena... # VO: Mary Wakefield went on to become an author, a lecturer, and one of the founder members of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, before passing in 1910.
# Gratia plena.
# Ave Maria... # VO: Bravissime!
Bravissime.
VO: But while Hettie's been singing Schubert, David's gone south, to the county town of Lancashire, where every day's a red rose day.
VO: And on the outskirts, they have an antique center, with 120 dealers represented within.
VO: I see David's tickling the ivories, not that they're laughing... Ha!
..£213 left at GB Antiques.
I love these cabinets in antique centers.
They're just dripping with interesting objects.
Hm... OK.
But sometimes when you're on an antiques hunt, you come across objects that are not antique, but are as good as any antique object you're ever lucky enough to find.
Something with great history and, of course, complete and utter quality.
And this glass vase meets all of those criteria.
It's heavy.
Look at the shape of it.
It's shaped like a mallet.
Can you see that?
So it's a mallet vase, but it's very special because of the maker.
So, if I turn it over, there it is.
That's exactly... That marking on the base, hand engraved, Mdina.
Mdina is a Maltese glass factory, founded in 1968 by a chap called Michael Harris and his business partner, Eric Dobson.
VO: After the name of the town Mdina.
DAVID: So designed somewhere between 68 and probably 72, 73.
Look at the colors, the colors scream that period.
So it's taking you back now to the early 1970s.
It's Michael Harris, it's Mdina.
It is colossal value for money.
So there we have it.
50-something years old, it's 35 quid, it's going to auction.
VO: He's made up his mind.
DAVID: Jimmy... JIMMY: Hi David.
I don't wanna shock you, I just burst in there!
The center's looking amazing.
Oh, thank you for saying so, yeah.
And talking of wonderful things, I mean, just grab hold of that.
DAVID: Mdina... Michael Harris.
JIMMY: Yeah.
It's a beautiful item, David.
DAVID: OK, I'm going to buy it, but I kind of feel a little obliged to ask what's the best?
It's got 35 on it.
We can do it for 30 for you.
DAVID: Fine.
VO: Thanks, Jimmy.
DAVID: There's that... JIMMY: Thank you.
DAVID: Thank you.
VO: And now he has £183.
Steady!
Time to prepare for the forthcoming auction.
Any regrets this time round?
I bought a pin cushion once.
Hm.
And I made the mistake of not asking what size it was.
DAVID: Right... HETTIE: And I paid £65 for it... ..and it arrived that big!
Literally that big!
VO: Failure in success is progress.
Einstein said that.
Now, shut eye.
VO: Welcome to Rosewell, the former mining village which will be the venue for auction number four.
After shopping in the lakes and Lancashire, our experts have headed back towards Midlothian... ..at Thomson Roddick, where they'll be selling in the room, on the net and on the phone.
And Sybelle Thomson wields the gavel.
At 110... HETTIE: I'm excited to get in, move out the way!
DAVID: Off you go!
HETTIE: (LAUGHS) VO: Come on, Hettie!
DAVID: Good luck, Hettie.
VO: Could this be her moment, having spent £310 on five auction lots?
Sybelle, what do you think?
The two netsukes in the form of crabs.
Unfortunately, these aren't very old.
They're still nice, they're a talking point.
I personally love silver, so I love this little silver aide memoire.
Sort of art deco in design, but really unusual.
I don't think people would use it today, but it's still something that people would love to own.
VO: David acquired four lots, spending £460 in the process.
This Chinese famille rose punch bowl.
It's in nice condition.
It's also a good size.
My eyes lit up when I saw this art deco figure, but unfortunately she's had a pretty hard life.
DAVID: (CHUCKLES) VO: Here they come.
Oh, wow, Hettie.
Isn't it lovely?
Love it.
VO: Nobody mention the trousers, OK?
Good stock kicking around.
Look at all this!
Looks good, though.
Actually, I could spend a fortune in here.
Looks fantastic.
VO: That's not why we're here, David.
Stay focused... ..because your famille rose bowl is first under the hammer.
It's the best ring I've ever experienced.
How much would it make?
HETTIE: 150?
DAVID: Yeah.
HETTIE: I wanna say 150.
DAVID: 150.
200.
Oh, here we are, here we are.
Right.
£50 for it.
30.
Oh, dear... (CLEARS THROAT) £30 for it.
I shouldn't have built it up so much.
SYBELLE: 30 bid.
30 bid.
30 bid... DAVID: Need a bit of internet bidding.
DAVID: Go on.
SYBELLE: 32.
35.
DAVID: Go on!
SYBELLE: 35.
35.
It needs to be 150.
40.
42.
45.
48.
50.
£50.
With you at 50.
We need the 55.
Come on!
SYBELLE: 50.
And selling at 50.
DAVID: Don't sell it.
SYBELLE: (LAUGHS) Any advance on 50?
At 50.
DAVID: Oh no... (GROANS) HETTIE: Oh, David.
SYBELLE: 50.
Oh... DAVID: Oh.
Thought it... SYBELLE: 55.
55.
HETTIE: Yeah.
Fall of the hammer.
At 55.
HETTIE: 55!
DAVID: Good!
£55... (SIGHS) Oh.
Well, listen, it helped.
VO: It all does, but still a bit of a loss.
That's life on the road, isn't it?
Yeah.
That's very true.
That's life on...
It could've made 200 quid.
HETTIE: Yeah.
DAVID: There you have it.
VO: But it didn't.
Now, let's see if Hettie's horsey vesta cases can do a bit better.
HETTIE: I paid 45.
DAVID: For the pair?
It might be a bit too much, but we'll see!
Are they hallmarked, or...?
HETTIE: No, they're not marked.
DAVID: OK. One's brass, the other one's plated.
Oh, I see.
So they're not silver.
HETTIE: No, they're not silver.
DAVID: Excellent news.
Yeah, I know you're happy about that!
SYBELLE: £20 for these.
HETTIE: They are nice...
Very good looking.
SYBELLE: 20.
£10.
HETTIE: (WHISPERS) £10!
SYBELLE: I've got 10.
12.
15.
18.
20.
20.
Two.
HETTIE: OK. That's alright.
SYBELLE: 25.
28.
30.
32.
DAVID: Flying.
SYBELLE: 32.
35.
38.
SYBELLE: 38.
38, 40.
HETTIE: Yes!
Oh!
David!
42.
45.
One more bid and you're in profit.
45.
On the intern... 48.
48.
50.
David, I'm actually really happy.
SYBELLE: Is anyone else going on at 50?
It's on the screen at £50... HETTIE: OK.
I'm very happy with my little £5 profit.
Good for you.
VO: Well, two horseshoes had to pay off, surely.
It's such a pleasure just to get more.
HETTIE: Yeah.
DAVID: Just that, like... ..yes, I've done it right!
I know.
Yeah...
It's nice, isn't it?
Yeah, well done.
VO: Back to David, his figurine in need of a fix.
Made in the 1920s out of bronze and Bakelite.
HETTIE: OK. DAVID: So it's plastic... DAVID: ..but lots of breakage.
HETTIE: Yeah.
But it's such a stylish thing.
Yeah.
So it needs loads of restoration, but I paid 30 quid for it.
Uh, £50 for the nice figure.
DAVID: Go on.
SYBELLE: We've got the limbs.
50.
And I've got 30 bid.
30 bid.
Who's going on at 30?
DAVID: I would.
SYBELLE: 32.
35.
Gotta go a bit higher than that, Hettie.
38.
I mean, this would be a magnificent thing, done.
SYBELLE: And selling at 40.
DAVID: No... HETTIE: Oh, David!
SYBELLE: At 40.
At £40... VO: And the lucky new owner just has to hang on to the bits.
What a lovely thing just to own for a few moments.
Definitely.
You've enjoyed having it, haven't you?
I have, and great history.
There you are, you're holding the history, dating back into the 1920s.
DAVID: It was lovely.
HETTIE: Yeah.
OK.
But it's still a profit.
VO: Oh yes.
And, who knows, maybe Hettie's shiny little collection can do even better.
And I can start straight in at 70.
75.
80.
DAVID: Oh my goodness gracious.
HETTIE: Ah!
85.
On the internet at 85.
Anyone in the room want in?
SYBELLE: At 85.
HETTIE: Oh, surely!
HETTIE: Anybody want it?
SYBELLE: £85... DAVID: Now that... HETTIE: Oh, I'm happy!
VO: At last, Hettie's jewelry know how has been fully rewarded.
That's a result for me.
It's really good.
Well done.
Well done, you.
Well done.
You know your jewelry.
Thank you.
VO: But is she equally knowledgeable about netsukes?
Of interest to crustacean collectors and kimono wearers everywhere.
Ha!
I fell in love with them and I've been buying with my heart this whole trip.
And they spoke to me.
They looked at me, and I bought them.
So crabs are now talking to you?
HETTIE: They are, yes.
DAVID: It's a bit of a worry.
I know.
And online, we've started at 45.
50.
55.
60.
Five.
DAVID: Oh.
No.
They're good.
Five.
75.
80.
£80.
These shouldn't be missed at 80.
HETTIE: Thank you.
SYBELLE: 80.
Five.
£90.
Anyone else going on?
At 90.
95.
Go on, Het.
Break... 100.
Anyone else going on at £100...?
HETTIE: That was not the worst case scenario, was it?
No.
VO: They neither clawed back a profit nor made a loss.
Good, I'm happy with that... Well done.
Nothing wrong with that.
And a good risky buy.
Good for you.
VO: And speaking of "grrreat" risk, David's bear is about to take a bow.
DAVID: This is the big one... HETTIE: OK. DAVID: ..of our whole trip.
HETTIE: Right!
It should and could make £1,000.
HETTIE: OK... OK. DAVID: It's a bear.
Lots of symbolism in there for masculinity, power, strength, control... HETTIE: Yeah.
DAVID: All of that.
2,000 years old, with a certificate.
But I paid 340 quid for it.
And who'd like to start me at £50 for him?
(MOUTHS) 50?!
50.
30.
DAVID: Oh my lord.
HETTIE: Oh, David!
SYBELLE: 30 bid.
30 bid... HETTIE: Oh, no!
HETTIE: What did you pay, 340?
DAVID: 340, yeah.
35.
38.
40.
Room bidders at 40.
40.
That's only a 300 loss so far.
45.
48.
50.
Five.
60.
£60.
We can creep up to a thousand from here.
At £60...
I can't believe that, David.
Are you OK?
VO: Just needs a moment.
It's not every day you blow £280 on a loss.
HETTIE: You need a loss every now and again...
I do.
You need a loss now and again.
Give yourself a kick up the bottom.
Reality check, isn't it?
And I've just had a very big kick up the bottom.
HETTIE: Yes.
VO: I agree.
VO: Hettie's Japanese dragon vases are next.
Will they bring her good fortune?
I really, really like them.
They've just...
They've got the style about them.
OK, you might be... You might be in funds.
HETTIE: Yeah, I hope so.
DAVID: Mm.
£100 for these.
100.
50?
That'd be nice, wouldn't it?
They're hovering, and I've got 50 bid.
50 bid online.
At 50 bid.
I'm happy with that.
Straight in.
Anyone else going on at 55?
Oh, 55!
55.
60.
60.
Bid up online.
David, I'm having a good day!
You are.
You're on a roll, baby.
At 60.
At £60... VO: Almost double bubble.
She can't stop making profits today.
Hey, you are clawing back.
I know.
I'm having a really enjoyable day this time!
Yeah, I bet you are!
VO: I need some of that, thinks David.
Perhaps his Mdina glass can help.
This, I've now decided, is my big hope.
OK.
It's positively dripping in, you know... DAVID: ..modern... HETTIE: Yeah.
..20th century design.
I love that sort of thing.
I think it could make 150 or £200.
DAVID: That's what I feel.
HETTIE: OK. And I can start straight in at £100.
HETTIE: (GASPS) Well done.
SYBELLE: 100 bid.
100.
Come on, we need...
It's gotta... Two closed commissions at 100.
100.
100.
It's the best... DAVID: Don't!
No, no!
HETTIE: Aw, David.
Anyone else going on?
It's on the book.
110.
110.
I'm out.
DAVID: Oh!
HETTIE: Aw, book bid's out.
At 110... HETTIE: Well done.
DAVID: Great.
Good.
Good.
A lovely, lovely, lovely thing.
VO: I think he's recovered.
VO: Finally, Hettie's minaudiere.
Not cheap, but with the form she's in, who knows?
Really nice quality, it's got good weight to it.
OK.
I'm just hoping you paid an awful lot of money for it.
I paid 100.
Oh, I think you'll do well.
And we're straight in at 40 bid.
45.
Ooh, this is dangerous... 50.
In the room at 50.
Oh, Hettie!
This is not... SYBELLE: Five.
60.
DAVID: Oh, she's off, she's off.
60.
It's a room bid at 60.
You're out on the internet.
65.
I'm willing it on for you cuz it's a very good thing.
HETTIE: Thank you.
SYBELLE: 75.
80.
HETTIE: Should be worth that.
SYBELLE: 85.
90.
DAVID: 120.
SYBELLE: 95.
HETTIE: Hmm.
And you've got gold as well.
SYBELLE: 100.
DAVID: Yeah.
SYBELLE: 110.
DAVID: Wow, there you go.
I'd have another.
It's lovely.
You'll look a long time for another one.
HETTIE: You absolutely sure?
SYBELLE: 110.
110.
120.
DAVID: There you go.
SYBELLE: 130.
DAVID: Oh, she's off.
SYBELLE: Any advance on 130?
Selling on the internet, make no mistake.
At £130... VO: She's done it again!
Well played, Hettie.
You have smashed this one.
HETTIE: Thank you.
DAVID: You have.
I think I might've won.
You have absolutely won.
There is no...
I don't know what the numbers are, I don't care.
DAVID: You've won.
HETTIE: Yeah.
There's no doubt about it.
VO: Well, let's look at the runner up first, shall we?
And after auction costs, David made a loss of £252 and 70p... ..while Hettie, also with saleroom fees deducted, made a very welcome profit of £38.50, and thus claims her first auction victory.
Well done... ..even though, with one auction left, David's overall crown is secure.
HETTIE: David, I'm so happy.
My first ever win!
DAVID: First win, big style win.
It was quite a good win, wasn't it?
It was a very big win, and I helped you with my very big loss.
Yeah...
So I'm taking a bit of credit for your win.
HETTIE: No, you can't do that!
DAVID: I am.
I'm going to.
Don't ever talk to me about Chinese bears ever again.
No, I won't mention it.
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