On a recent episode of the BBC’s popular series Antiques Road Trip, experts Ishy Khan and Irita Marriott faced unexpected challenges at auction, highlighting the unpredictability of the antique trade.
The duo, both seasoned antique hunters, embarked on their journey in a nostalgic 1971 Sunbeam Rapier, starting their quest in the picturesque county of Kent. Their travels took them through Suffolk and Norfolk, ultimately wrapping up in the Midlands by the week’s end, as reported by Express.co.uk.
In this episode, Irita partnered with newcomer Danny Sebastian, while Ishy, aged 33 and known as the "king of jewellery," returned to the screen after debuting last year alongside Natasha Raskin Sharp. Both experts were eager for victory, each equipped with a budget of £200 per leg for their best-of-five series. Prior to the contest, Ishy exuded confidence, claiming, “I’m the best driver there is, and I make record profit every time.”
As they rummaged through the charming Kent countryside, Ishy collected a variety of treasures, including a vintage fairground mallet, a coal scuttle, a glimmering purse, a monotype mat, and a pair of metal French chenet ornaments. Meanwhile, Irita sought success with her picks: a vintage police sign, a butter mould, a Japanese cufflink set, an art deco eagle clock, and a poodle ornament.
The auction began energetically for Irita, with her art deco clock fetching a respectable £40. Unfortunately for Ishy, his mallet failed to fetch any profit, signaling a tough day ahead. Ishy remained hopeful for his sparkly purse; lamentably, it fell flat before the bidders, leading to a £10 loss. “I’m going to stick to jewellery, not handbags. I thought I had a new career lined up there,” he quipped, trying to inject some humor into the situation.
Irita’s poodle ornament, despite its mixed charm, drew praise from Ishy, who playfully commented, “I think it’s...fun,” as it earned her a profit of £23. Her cufflinks added a nice touch, bringing in an additional £15. Ishy managed to find some success with his monotype mat, which resulted in a modest profit of £5. “I’ll take anything,” he remarked, as the pressure mounted.
However, Irita’s luck took a turn when her vintage police sign, which she purchased for a hefty £140, sold for a disheartening £35, much to her surprise. Feeling robbed of its worth, Irita expressed her frustration, stating, “It was cool to have it. I’ll never buy another one though!” Ashamed and sympathetic, Ishy echoed her sentiment, saying, “I’m sorry.” Together, they pleaded with the auction room audience, shouting, “come on!” in hopes of more favorable bids.
As the auction progressed, Ishy celebrated a welcome £20 profit from his French chenet, which slightly balanced the scales after Irita’s losses. Following a taxing and emotional day, Ishy humorously remarked, “Tired. That was emotionally draining.” By the end of this round, Irita concluded with £135.30, while Ishy ended slightly ahead at £183.50. This meant neither contestant managed to turn a significant profit overall, despite a thrilling competition.
Ultimately, Ishy claimed victory for the first leg, leaving Irita with four more opportunities to prove her worth on the road trip. What’s more, all profits from the week will be donated to Children in Need, adding a charitable twist to their friendly rivalry and reminding viewers that every loss has a silver lining.
For fans eager to track their journey, Antiques Road Trip airs weekdays at 2:30 PM on BBC One, inviting viewers to witness the highs and lows of antiquing along with Ishy and Irita.
