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Early artworks by the nationally renowned Aspatria-born artist Sheila Fell and a major private collection of work by Percy Kelly were among the top selling lots in Mitchells recent antiques and fine art sale, which also included some big surprises.
Several early works by Sheila Fell in various mediums were auctioned, the most valuable being a pencil drawing, with the artist’s handwritten inscription With thanks for lending me your fields so often, which sold for £3,300 making it the highest selling lot in the sale.
The Percy Kelly collection from a deceased local estate was one of the largest private collections of his artworks to be sold at the saleroom. The most valuable artwork was a watercolour and mixed media painting titled Bridge Near Wasdale which made £2,300, considerably above its top estimate.
Another Kelly watercolour Trawler CA56 signed and dated 1991 made £2,000. Mitchells hold the all-time auction record for a Kelly, a charcoal drawing of the Road from West Newton to Allonby which made £6,200 in November last year.
Other works by local artists included an unpublished original pen and ink drawing by Alfred Wainwright of Langdale Pikes from Blea Tarn which made £1,100. An oil painting of Talkin Tarn by contemporary artist Godfrey Tonks sailed past its estimate of £30 to £50 to make £550.
There were a few thrilling surprises too which added extra drama and entertainment for people watching the live auction in the saleroom. The first was a 19th century Chinese porcelain tiled screen which had been expected to sell for £250 to £350 but ended up making £1,900.
But the biggest surprises were yet to come with a Persian style vase in the manner of William De Morgan (1839-1917) with an estimate of £100 to £150 which eventually sold in the hushed saleroom for £2,300.
Another big surprise was a Victorian ebonised cabinet with carved figureheads, a mirrored centre, metal panels with classical scenes and a secret compartment which had only been expected to make £70 to £100 but reached a staggering hammer price of £2,000, much to the astonishment of people in the room.
The most valuable pieces of furniture were an early 20th century mahogany longcase clock with three train fusee musical movement of nine gongs and a musical cylinder, with Westminster Whittington and St Michael chimes, which sold for £2,800. In pride of place in the middle of the auction ring throughout the sale was a three metre wych elm kitchen table with a naturally wavy edge which sold for £1,600 against an estimate of £200 to £300. Other valuable furniture was a matching pair of George III style mahogany framed settees with upholstered sides and back which made £1,500.
Other surprises amongst the clocks and watches were an 18ct gold pocket watch with an enamelled dial sold for £1,400 and an attractive 19th century French champlevé enamel and onyx clock garniture which made £1,100.
The sale also featured a large single owner collection of irridescent Art Glass, studio ceramics and textiles from the Scottish borders comprising nearly 100 lots. The most valuable lot from the collection turned out to be an antique hand stitched hexagonal honeycomb pattern patchwork quilt which made £850.
Valuable and unusual items in the sale included two autograph books with signatures including Buddy Holly and Shirley Bassey which made £1,600, an oversized Watermans No 20 fountain pen with the nib marked ‘Made in USA’ sold for £880 and an extra large mid to late 19th century turned wooden dairy bowl with finger-worn sides which reached £520.
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