Description
The Great Antiques Map of Britain takes antiques expert Tim Wonnacott on a fascinating journey, investigating the antiques and collectables that define a particular area. In each episode, Tim visits a different British town or city, towing his vintage Airstream which doubles up as a stage and ‘valuation station’. Set against the backdrop of a lively local summer event, he sets up to meet some of the locals – owners, enthusiasts, collectors – who’ve brought along their precious treasures for him to look at. These objects could have been made, found, or traded in this area - their defining characteristic is that their stories clearly connect them to that place. Tim draws on his immense knowledge of antiques to unravel their histories and provenance, which often takes him on visits to see relevant collections and experts.
Although no-one has come along with a view to selling - they just want to find out more about their objects – Tim gives his opinion on the question on everyone’s lips – what’s it worth? And if the object is beyond his range of knowledge, he simply video calls a specialist he knows, there and then, over the internet, for their expert view.
Series 1 takes Tim to Glasgow, Bakewell, London, Windsor, Hay on Wye, Cambridge, Derby, Bristol, Worcester and Manchester. Tim encounters a wide variety of objects from a vintage car to collectable artwork, from Georgian porcelain to fine glass, as well as the quirkiest of items from a peep egg to a dongola oar!