Introduction
Irita Marriott has become a familiar face on British antiques television. With quick eyes for decorative pieces and a calm, approachable manner on camera, she’s made the jump from dealer to TV expert and auction house founder. Her story is one of steady craft, risk-taking and the kind of attention to detail that turns a well-loved object into a discovered treasure.
Early life and arrival in the UK
Born in Latvia, Marriott’s childhood gave her a practical education in making the most of what’s at hand. Moving to the UK in her twenties, she learned the language of auctions and collecting from the ground up. That mix of hands-on experience and determination shaped the way she approaches both sourcing and valuing antiques.
Learning the trade
Marriott’s first real antiques education came through direct work in auction rooms. She took a part-time role at a Derbyshire auction house and stayed for several years, moving from salesroom assistant to cataloguer and valuer. On the side she began buying at car boot sales and small fairs, then graduated to larger antiques events and international buying trips. That slow accumulation of knowledge and contacts proved crucial when she set up her own business.
Becoming a TV expert
Her television career grew from being a respected dealer. Viewers recognise Marriott from BBC favourites such as Antiques Road Trip, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip and Bargain Hunt, and she has also appeared on Channel 4’s The Greatest Auction. Her clear, friendly communication style and specialist interest in decorative antiques and porcelain have made her a go-to expert on screen.
Launching an auction house
In recent years Marriott expanded from dealing into running her own auction house. Irita Marriott Auctioneers, based in the Midlands, has given her a platform to bring family collections and local discoveries to market. Being one of the relatively few female-led auction houses in the UK, it also marks a deliberate step toward building a sustainable business that reflects her values: openness, fairness and expertise.
A new TV chapter
Marriott has not left television behind. In addition to regular appearances on established antiques shows, she fronted a new series that follows the workings of her auction house. The format — helping families unearth and prepare items for sale — plays to her strengths as a communicator and valuer, and shows a different side of the trade to viewers. One episode highlighted how a seemingly mundane spoon attracted international interest and sold for a surprising sum, underscoring how provenance and collector demand drive prices.
What she looks for
On screen and in the saleroom, Marriott emphasises stories as much as objects. A plain-looking piece might have a surprising provenance, or a maker’s mark that changes its value dramatically. She often seeks items that bridge the decorative and the functional: porcelain, small furniture and everyday objects that carry design detail and history.
Why her presence matters
Marriott’s profile matters for two reasons. First, she brings a modern sensibility to antiques television, helping younger viewers and collectors relate to the market. Second, as a woman leading an auction house and appearing regularly on TV, she widens the image of who can be an antiques expert. That representation encourages more diverse buyers and sellers to engage with auctions.
Notable finds and auction moments
Marriott’s time on TV and at the auction house has produced a handful of memorable sales — from overlooked kitchenware that drew surprising buyer interest to decorative pieces that commanded strong bids. Those moments underscore a basic truth of the trade: value is often as much about story and demand as it is about age or rarity. They also demonstrate how a good valuer can spot context, provenance and condition quickly, and communicate that to potential buyers.
Running a modern auction house
Operating an auction house today means balancing in-person and online markets, curating sales to appeal to collectors worldwide and ensuring clear, trusted valuations. Marriott’s business reflects that mix: accessible local auctions with an eye toward international buyers and digital bidding. That approach has helped smaller sellers reach wider audiences and often lifts prices beyond what local markets alone would achieve.
Her wider influence
Beyond auctions and television, Marriott has become a mentor figure for aspiring dealers. Through talks, social media and appearances at fairs, she shares practical advice about sourcing, conservation and running a small business in the antiques trade. Her openness about the day-to-day realities of the market — including the slow seasons, the thrill of a lucky find and the logistics of shipping overseas — helps newcomers set realistic expectations while encouraging smart risk-taking.
Tips for collectors
From Marriott’s public guidance, a few practical tips stand out: document provenance when you can; don’t assume condition is invisible to buyers — clean and stable items often perform better; and consider specialist valuation if you suspect an object may be of interest to museums or private collectors. Finally, start small: learning to spot maker’s marks and understanding styles will pay off more than chasing headline auction lots.
The public profile and privacy
While Marriott is public about her work and her love of antiques, she keeps her private life largely out of the limelight. That privacy allows her to focus on the business and on the items she handles, while still being open and engaging with audiences who follow her television work.
Conclusion
Irita Marriott’s path from buyer at car boot sales to television expert and auction house founder shows how deep knowledge, practical experience and clear communication can reshape a career. She has helped demystify auctions for many viewers and, by leading an auction house, created a space where local stories become part of a wider market. For anyone curious about antiques, her story is a reminder that patience, curiosity and an eye for detail can turn ordinary things into discoveries. Keep an eye on auction calendars and learn to enjoy the hunt.
