Showing posts with label BBC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BBC. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

BBC bargain hunt tips - What is the Nanking Cargo?

The mysteriously named “Nanking Cargo” is often mentioned on “Bargain hunt” the BBC TV antiques show. The Nanking cargo name on a porcelain object can make a profit winning item for the Bargain Hunt teams (or at least wipe it should wipe its face!)

So, what is the “Nanking Cargo?”

Well fine bone China had to be imported from the Far East in the 16th century and this trip although long and often dangerous was well worth it for those brave enough to undertake the voyage

The Dutch East Indiaman, Geldermalsen was one of those ships barely 5 years old when she ran aground and sank on January 3, 1752 at Admiral Stellingwerf Reef.

The reef which hides just below the surface 12 miles from the island of Bintan in the South China Sea claimed the ship and crew and deposited the cargo at the bottom of the sea where it was thought it would forever remain.

However in 1986 Michael Hatcher discovered the sunken ship and her treasure.  The Geldermalsen held over 150,000 pieces of porcelain and 147 bars of gold (125 were recovered). 

Never before had such a complete cargo of porcelain been recovered from a VOC (Dutch East India Company) wreck.  The porcelain and gold cargo was sold at Christie's Auction House in Amsterdam as under the name "Nanking Cargo".

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Identify and Buy Retractable Silver Swizzle Sticks

Often a winners bargain on BBC's "Bargain Hunt" is the silver swizzle stick.

The Silver Swizzle Stick is a device one can keep in a pocket or bag and use for stirring ones champagne or cocktial at a moments notice.

It is shaped a little like a tiny egg whisk and can be made of materials including plastic, glass, silver, gold and other precious metals.

The tiny spines are retractable on more expensive models and this helps protect them when not in use.

This Sterling Silver retractable Swizzle Stick is used for removing bubbles from your glass of champagne.

Swizzle Sticks have been popular for over 100 years to remove bubbles from sparkling wines.
Another use is to mix ice and spirits together.


Buy this Retractable Silver Swizzle Stick now

Size 90mm - 3.5"

£32.14
See More Information
Retractable Silver Swizzle Stick
by

JB Silverware






Tuesday, August 23, 2011

BBC bargain hunt tips – How to spot Real Silver?

Silver appears on every episodes of the TV show “Bargain hunt” on BBC TV. If it’s real silver then it can be valued by its weight alone. A piece of good silver can realise a good price at auction and can make a profit and even a winning item for the Bargain Hunt teams (or at least wipe its face!)

But . . .


How do you spot real silver?

Many things for sale that purport to be silver are not real silver. Sometimes these items are sold as silver by a lack of knowledge on the part of the seller and sometimes other motives are unfortunately used.

A knowledge of hallmarks is important here and I would suggest that you take a look at this hallmarks guide featured at the bottom of this page.

Also you should learn the terms below that refer to silver styled items that are often mistakenly advertised as silver.

Sterling Silver Plate
Sterling Silverplate – This doesn’t exist even though you will see it advertised because sterling is an alloy it is unsuitable to use as a silver source for plating.

E.P.N.S
This stands for Electro Plated Nickel-Silver. Common variations on this are E.P., E.P.C. (Electro Plate on Copper), E.P.W.M. (Electro Plate on White Metal), E.P.B. or E.P.B.M. (Electro Plate on Britannia Metal).

(See More about this)

Any item marked with E.P. is silverplate and as such has no precious metal value.

Nickel Silver
Nickel-Silver is a common base metal alloy consisting of nickel, copper and zinc. There is no silver in it whatsoever. The name was coined because the metal is silvery in colour and polishes to a shine. Other names used for the same metal are: Alpacca or Alpacca Silver; Brazil Silver; German Silver; Peru Silver; New York Silver; New Silver; Nevada Silver; Norwegian Silver; Silverite; Venetian Silver; Potosi Silver; and Sonora Silver to name just a few.

(Nickel-silver is strong and durable but it doesn't have any metal value).

White Metal
White Metal - This is a silvery coloured alloy usually containing a mixture of antimony, tin, lead, zinc, and cadmium. In the U.K. the British fine arts trade uses the term 'white metal' to describe all foreign items which do not have official British Assay Office marks struck on them.

Brittania Metal
Britannia Metal is a non-silver base metal similar to pewter which is popular because it is durable and polishes to a silver-like lustre. This is an alloy of 93% tin, 5% antimony and 2% copper. Not to be confused with 958 Britannia from Great Britain.




BUY A SILVER TESTING KIT

Thursday, August 18, 2011

BBC bargain hunt tips - What is Royal Crown derby?

Derby ceramics are often a profit maker on episodes of the TV show “Bargain hunt” on BBC TV. The Crown derby pieces are always popular in the show and are still sought after by collectors.

The Royal crown Derby name on a piece of porcelain can make a winning item for the Bargain Hunt teams (or at least wipe its face!)

One of the important things to be aware of with these ceramics is the continued history of the company from its small beginnings to its failures and successes.

In 1745 André Planché, a Huguenot immigrant from Saxony, settled in Derby, where he met and formed a business partnership with William Duesbury, a porcelain painter formerly at the Chelsea porcelain factory, and the banker John Heath.

This was the foundation of the Derby Company, although Planché disappeared from the scene almost at once, and the business was developed by Duesbury and Heath.

A talented entrepreneur, Duesbury developed a new paste which contained glass frit, soap rock and calcined bone. This enabled the factory to begin producing high-quality tableware. He quickly established Derby as a leading manufacturer of dinner services and figurines by employing the best talents available for modelling and painting.

In 1770, Duesbury added to the high reputation of Derby by his acquisition of the famous Chelsea porcelain factory in London. He continued the factory and products of this period are known as "Chelsea-Derby."

In 1784 he demolished the buildings and transferred the assets, including the stock, patterns and moulds, and many of the workmen, to Derby.

In 1773, Duesbury’s hard work was rewarded by King George III, who after visiting the Derby works granted him permission to incorporate the royal crown into the Derby back stamp, after which the company was known as Crown Derby.

In 1786, William Duesbury died, leaving the company to his son, William Duesbury II, also a talented director, who besides keeping the reputation of the company at its height developed a number of new glazes and body types.

However William Duesbury II died in 1797 at the age of 34 and the company was taken over by his business partner, an Irishman named Michael Kean, who later married Duesbury's widow.

Michael Kean was not such a good director and many of the highly skilled workforce, and many eminent artists left. Although others produced good work under his management, including Moses Webster, a flower painter who replaced Billingsley, Richard Dodson (who specialised in birds), George Robertson (land - and seascapes) and Cuthbert Lawton (hunting scenes).

The best-known artist of this time was William Pegg, a Quaker, famed for his striking and idiosyncratic flower painting. He started in 1797 but his religious beliefs led him to the conclusion that painting was sinful and he left in 1800. He returned in 1813, but left again in 1820.

Despite much good work, the Kean period was disruptive and the company suffered financially.

William Duesbury III, took over the factory when he came of age in 1791, and Kean having sold his interest to his father-in-law, William Duesbury's grandfather, named Sheffield, the concern continued under the name of Duesbury & Sheffield.

In 1815, the factory was leased to the firm's salesman and clerk, Robert Bloor, and the Duesburys left all control to him. Bloor borrowed heavily to be able to make the payments demanded but proved himself to be a highly able businessman in his ways of recouping losses and putting the business back on a sound financial footing.

Under Bloor the company produced works that were richly coloured and elegantly styled, including brightly coloured Japanese Imari patterns, generally featuring intricate geometric patterns layered with various floral designs. These designs proved extremely and lastingly popular, and Derby continued to thrive.

In 1845, however, Bloor died, and after three years under Thomas Clarke, the Cockpit Works were sold and the factory closed in 1848.

A group of former employees set up a factory in King Street in Derby, and continued to use the moulds, patterns and trademarks of the former business, although not the name, so keeping alive the Derby traditions of fine craftsmanship. No mechanical processes were used, and no two pieces produced were exactly the same.

In 1877, an impressive new factory was built by new owners of the Crown Derby name in Osmaston Road, Derby, thus beginning the modern period of Derby porcelain. Crown Derby’s patterns became immensely popular during the late Victorian era, as their romantic and lavish designs exactly met the popular taste of the period.

In 1890, Queen Victoria appointed Crown Derby to be “Manufacturers of porcelain to Her Majesty” and by Royal Warrant granted them the title "The Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company".

In 1935 Royal Crown Derby acquired the King Street factory, thus reuniting the two strands of the business.

In 1964, the company was acquired by S. Pearson and Son and became part of the Allied English Potteries Group, later to be joined by Royal Doulton.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

BBC bargain hunt tips - What is Moorcroft Pottery?

Moorcroft pottery is often a profit maker on episodes of the TV show “Bargain hunt” on BBC TV.

The Moorcroft pottery is one of the last remaining independent art potteries in the world today and still operates out of the original brick factory in Stoke-on-Trent.

It is currently fashionable and sought after in the antiques trade and with the Moorcroft name on a piece of pottery can make a winning item for the Bargain Hunt teams (or at least wipe its face!)

Originally founded in 1897 within a larger ceramic company, James Macintyre & Co. Moorcroft pottery soon made its mark on the world. Designs came from 24 year old William Moorcroft who personalised each piece of pottery produced with his own signature or initials.

In 1912 the inevitable split occurred. William took his team to a new factory in Sandbach Road where Moorcroft pottery is still made today. The money for this venture came from Liberty, the famous London store and Liberty continued to control Moorcroft until 1962.

In 1904, Moorcroft won a gold medal at the St Louis International Exhibition and followed up the achievement with further medals and commendations, culminating in the appointment of the Moorcroft Company as Potter to HM The Queen in 1928.

In 1962, the Moorcroft family bought out Liberty, but Moorcroft seldom prospered. Finally, in 1984, the family sold the bulk of their shares on the open market. After several material shareholder changes in the mid-1980’s and early 1990’s, Moorcroft is now controlled by the Edwards family, and has been since 1993.

In 1993, Rachel Bishop joined Moorcroft as only its fourth designer in almost a hundred years. Just 24 years old, she was soon to see sales of her work flourish. Following that success came the Moorcroft centenary in 1997, and in the same year the Moorcroft Design Studio was formed, originally comprising no less than eight designers with Rachel at their head.

Recently the world profile of Moorcroft has grown internationally, both in quality and in perceived value. Auctioneers Christies hold a dedicated Moorcroft sale each year. In 2001, Sotheby’s New York holds a major sale comprising many pieces of Moorcroft pottery. The Victoria & Albert museum has joined many other national museums with significant pieces of Moorcroft pottery in their permanent collections.

Today, Moorcroft leads the world of art pottery with its own distinctive design style. With added value coming from the skills and craftsmanship of a dedicated workforce, Moorcroft is selling more of its magnificent ware all over the world today, than it did even in its previous heyday in the mid-1920’s.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

BBC Bargain Hunt tips - What is Murano Glass?

Murano glass is often a profit maker on episodes of the TV show “Bargain hunt” on BBC TV. Murano glass is the beautifully clear or highly coloured glass products that can fetch a pretty penny (or at least wipe its face!)

Widely desired by glass collectors all around the world, items made from this elegant glass are beautiful and useful. But with so many reproductions and modern re issues, how can you be sure that the glass object you are fondling is the real thing.

Just what is Murano Glass?

Murano glass is a product of Italy that is found on the Isle of Murano, just north of Venice, Italy. It is specifically treated to create highly prized glass objects. Colourful and unique, Italian Murano glass is manufactured without the use of nickel or lead. Murano Glassmakers have been using their techniques to produce art and jewellery from glass from the beginning of the 9th Century. The same methods are still followed by Murano glassmakers today.

Murano glass comes only from Italy; it is high in clarity, with vibrant colours that appear to have an inner glow. Glass products range from crystal clear, to vibrant reds, blues, and yellows. All Murano glass will be high in clarity, and of good quality. Imitations are easily identified by their poor quality, heavy weight, and little or no clarity.

Items listed as Murano Style have been made in other countries.

Objects made from authentic Murano glass are constructed by hand, which makes them rather expensive. Each piece is a rare design, and no two objects are the same. Using glass that has turned from liquid to solid, glassmakers can shape it into artistic designs before it is completely hard. When the object has been shaped, it is given a unique number of authenticity. This number is usually located on the bottom of the object and can be seen with a magnifying glass. Modern day glassmakers use holographic stickers that contain the authentic number. Genuine Murano glass objects are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Murano glass is fairly low maintenance and only requires an occasional gentle dusting. Use a damp lint free cloth to remove marks or stains, and glasses or stemware should be washed by hand with mild liquid soap and warm water. Cracks or chips can be ground, surfaced, and repaired by a glass specialist with extensive experience in repairing damaged glass.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Antiques Road Trip new series on the BBC

Popular Antiques Road Show spin-off, Antiques Road Trip, which is made for the BBC by STV, has returned for its new series. And this time you will be able to enjoy 15 extra minutes on every one of the 30 new journeys as they are extended from 30 minutes to 45.

The first series of Antiques Road Trip has proved to be hugely successful in its early evening BBC Two slot, attracting audiences of up to 2.6 million.

The series pairs Britain’s best loved antiques experts and sends them on a road trip across the UK. During the first series eight of television’s best known experts competed and put their knowledge to the test as they looked to make a fortune in the auction house, travelling the UK along the way.

The return of Antiques Road Trip will delight Anita, who previously said of filming the show, Anita said:  

“It was an utterly nail biting experience.”

“ I laughed a lot but there were also times when I could have burst into tears - on the way I made some huge profits and even bigger losses - but I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”


The experts hit the road in their beautiful vintage cars, and with a sum of £200 they travel through the UK seeking out antique shops and buying low to sell high at auction at the end of each show.

Alan Clements, director of content for STV, said:  “We’re delighted that audiences are enjoying Antiques Road Trip and are thrilled to be producing a second and longer series for the BBC.

“It’s a fantastic format with some brilliant characters, which really appeals to viewers, and we can’t wait to get cracking on the next instalment.”

Thursday, July 7, 2011

BBC Bargain Hunt - Charles Hanson Auction Profile

Gold and silver questions? See the site

Charles HansonWe say sale!

Charles Hanson is a popular figure on BBC TV’s Bargain Hunt both as an antiques expert and as an auctioneer. With his a quirky dress sense – often appearing in suits that seem slightly too small for him and his youthful looking appearance. This belies the fact that he is well respected in the antiques world and is the owner of his own auction house that he set up in 2005.

Auctioneer and expert valuer Kate Bliss also works there.

Presenter Tim Wonnacott often refers to Charles Hanson as “Carlos”, for no particular reason that anyone can see, but somehow the name suits him.

Although Charles is good fun as an expert and no slouch at finding great bargains for his team, his auctioneering style is very entertaining.

The first thing you may notice is his rather hoarse voice. He shouts encouragement at his audience and has a range of great phrases. Look and listen out for “We say sale” and lots of, "I’m in your out”…type expressions all delivered amidst copious sips of water. His obvious enthusiasm is infectious and he often perseveres to get good prices.

The mysterious Miss Hornblower is becoming a feature of the Charles Hanson auction house when the Bargain Hunt Team is in town. Perhaps she always goes or perhaps she is lured by the cameras. Whoever she is, this smartly dressed audience member has been the saviour of many a bargain hunt team offering a dodgy item for sale!