Catch up TV

Series 1: Episode 17

Antiques dealers Viki Knott, Ian Humphries and Moses Otunla are on a buying trip to the south of France. Their base is a historic French farmhouse in Provence, which is perfectly located close to some of France’s best antiques markets, or brocantes, as they are locally known. \n\nThe trio are heading to the Occitanie region to the beautiful town of Pézenas - home to over 50 antiques shops. Twice a year, over 150 additional traders flock to the town for ‘Le Grande Deballage’, or great unboxing. It is a big event in the calendar for traders all over Europe, and Viki, Ian and Moses are getting in on the action. They are competing to find two hidden treasures each that they can sell for a profit, online, in just a day. \n\nThe trio’s first challenge is to find something they know will appeal to their loyal customers and social media followers. Moses has over a decade of experience in sourcing mid-century pieces from France and is pretty ‘au fait’ with the language too, so he could be at an advantage in this competition. He has zeroed in on a ‘petite bureau’ or small mid-century desk that could be perfect for his London clients who have deep pockets but small spaces. Can he charm the trader into giving him a deal with potential for profit when he comes to sell it in a day online? \n\nIt is a large box containing over 200 patterned 19th-century tiles that has set dealer Viki’s heart pounding. The tiles were made by Gien, who produced the famous Paris Metro tiles. Viki has an idea to sell them individually to maximise profit - a tall order in just a day. Not only that, Viki hasn’t spoken French since her school days, so she is relying on typing out offers on her phone to make this deal. Bon chance!\n\nOld-school dealer Ian has come to market with a notebook in hand to make sure no deals are lost in translation. He has got his sights set on a window seat in the style of 19th-century English designer Gillows, which can command hundreds of pounds. Can Ian and his notebook draw out a profitable deal, and will he manage to find a buyer in time to make a healthy profit back at the farmhouse? \n\nAs if the pressure of negotiating in an unfamiliar language weren’t enough, the dealers take turns each day to dial up the heat and set each other a challenge to shop to a brief. It is Ian’s turn, and the ‘king of quirk’ has decided that Viki and Moses should join him in a hunt for a cool and quirky piece. Which dealer will make the most profitable deal in this curious challenge?\n\nWith six items bought between them, it is back to the farmhouse to size up the competition. The 17th-century farmhouse is set amongst vineyards and olive groves, and provides the ideal backdrop for our dealers to take photographs and videos they hope will make their Provençal pieces stand out when they come to post their objects to sell online.\n\nWith just a day to secure a sale and the battle on to make the most profit, which of our trio will come out on top today?

Source: BBC 1