A painting by LS Lowry & Geoffrey Bennett and a bust of legendary fell runner Joss Naylor are just some of the highlights in Mitchells’ next Antiques & Fine Art Sale.
The three-day sale, which also includes a life-sized 3D herdy, a rare anti-nuclear leaflet design by a leading sculptor and a bust of legendary fell runner Joss Naylor, donated by the artist to raise funds for Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team.
The auction, at Mitchells’ Cockermouth saleroom, takes place from September 11 to 13.
There are over 1,750 lots on offer, including 200 lots from a private estate in north west Cumbria, artwork by renowned local artists Sheila Fell and Percy Kelly and drawings by Alfred Wainwright.
LS Lowry and Geoffrey Bennett’s Rockcliffe Church
The joint artwork by LS Lowry RA (1887-1976) and his lifelong friend the Rev Geoffrey Bennett (1902-1991) depicts Rockcliffe Church, near Carlisle, where Bennett was minister.
The painting, which measures 39cm x 24cm features several characteristic ‘matchstick’ figures in the foreground by Lowry, including children playing with a ball and a dog, and is co-signed to the bottom left GS Bennett and LS Lowry 1964.
Mitchells has given the artwork an estimate of £2,000 to £5,000, however head of antiques & fine art James Moore said: “The painting could sell for considerably more given its impeccable provenance. We’ve found a photograph of Lowry and Bennett looking at the painting together which greatly adds to its appeal and potential value, as does the joint signature of both artists on the painting.”
Bennett retired from a career in banking and was ordained minister at Rockcliffe in 1962 after which Lowry addressed him as the Reverend Gentleman. When Lowry died in 1976, Mr Bennett conducted his funeral service. The painting is being sold by the GS Bennett Trust in aid of the Dean and Chapter of Carlisle Cathedral and The Geoffrey and Alice Bennett Bequest, which supports retired clergy.
Joss Naylor sculpture
A bronze resin bust of the legendary fell runner Joss Naylor OBE, who died earlier this year has been donated for sale by the artist who made it,
Cumbrian-born professional sculptor Paul Bainbridge originally created two sculptures to celebrate Joss’s achievement running 70 Lake District fells on his 70th birthday. One of the sculptures was bought by Copeland Council for display in the Beacon in Whitehaven.
Paul kept the other sculpture however, after Joss died in June, has decided to donate it for sale to raise funds for Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, of which Joss was honorary vice president. It is hoped the bust will raise between £500 and £800.
Paintings
In addition to the painting by Lowry & Bennett in a very strong picture section in this sale is another artwork with Lowry connections, a small watercolour by Lowry protégé Sheila Fell RA (1931-1979) Aspatria 1969.
Lowry much admired Fell’s work, declaring in 1968: “If you asked me seriously – what artists did I like best of artists painting today? I would say Sheila Fell.”
The watercolour is expected to sell for £1,000 to £1,500.
Other works by renowned local artists include Last of the Summer Wine country! Near Hebden Bridge Yorks by Percy Kelly (1918-1993) with an estimate of £800 to £1,200 and four original drawings by Alfred Wainwright which are expected to sell for between £400 to £1,000 each
The sale also includes artworks by EH Thompson, William Heaton Cooper, Karen Wallbank, June Bennett, Claude Harrison and Len Roope.
A signed limited edition print Dark Garden by Bruce Mclean (Scottish born 1944) has an estimate of £100 to £150. From France, a still life oil painting by Eugene Claude (French 1841-1922) should sell for £1,000 to £1,500.
Anti-nuclear leaflet
Another rare lot with interesting local provenance is an original design for an anti-nuclear leaflet created by the renowned sculptor Josefina de Vasconcellos OBE (1904-2005), famous for her religious and peace sculptures though less well known as an anti-nuclear activist.
The design was created for Cumbrians Opposed to a Radioactive Environment in response to the 1994 public inquiry into the underground disposal of nuclear waste but was never published due to lack of funds.
The design and associated handwritten and illustrated notes are expected to sell for £500-£800.
Herdy heaven
Also for sale is a life-sized 3D Herdwick ewe titled Manc-ewe-nian Way Herdy by Manchester artist Liam Spencer (born 1964) which was originally created for The Calvert Trust Go Herdwick Public Art Trail in 2016.
Measuring 90 cm high and 116cm nose to tail, the Herdy is expected to sell for £1,000 to £1,500.
Horology
A large, single owner collection of over 100 horological lots features in the sale, including a selection of barographs by makers such as Pollock and Stewart of Glasgow, Short and Mason, London and J Lizars of Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Among a selection of sliding front travel watches including makers such as Movado, Eterna is a LeCoultre & Co gentleman’s sliding and folding front wristwatch with an estimate of £100 to £150.
Pocket and desk barometers include makers such as Hicks, Negretti & Zambra, Salom & Co. and an Asprey of London pocket barometer with thermometer in a reptile skin case which should make £250 to £300.
Collectors’ items
Collectors’ items include six rare treen, walnut and oak 18th century Westmorland riddle or baking boards, the largest measuring 50cm x 47.5cm which have an estimate of £1,000 to £1,500.
A Josef Lorenzl (1892-1950) Austrian cold painted bronze and ivory figure Hands Up with ivory certificate and measuring 23cm in height is estimated at £100 – £150.
Furniture
Highlights among the furniture include a good set of six George III Chippendale style dining chairs estimated at £1,000 to £1,500, a Victorian breakfront bookcase with an estimate of £400-£600 and a George III giltwood and gesso overmantle mirror valued at £700-£1,000.
A George III mahogany apothecary cabinet with 12 glass bottles and containing scales, glass pestle, glass mortar, further glass bottles and other items has an estimate of £200 to £300.
Garden furniture includes a 19th century French wrought iron garden table estimated at £500 to £800 and two large pairs of cast iron garden urns on composition stands measuring 148cm in height and with a top diameter of 72cm which are expected to sell for £800 to £1,200 per pair.
Ceramics
Ceramics include an 18th century delft plate depicting Mary and Jesus with an estimate of £300-£500.
Jewellery
The jewellery section features sovereigns, Albert chains, gate bracelets, gold chains and gold pocket watches as well as an extensive selection of diamond jewellery.
When does Mitchells Antiques & Fine Art Sale take place?
Day one – Wednesday September 11
Asian art, glassware & ceramics, jewellery, pocket watches & coins, silver & allied wares.
Day two – Thursday September 12
Paintings, drawings & prints, objects of art, collectors’ items, metalware and textiles.
The paintings by Lowry & Bennett, Sheila Fell, the Joss Naylor bust and Vasconcellos design will also be sold on the second day.
Day three – Friday September 13
100 horological items, table boxes, wall clocks, barometers and mirrors, furniture, longcase clocks, dining tables and chairs.
Where can I find out more about Mitchells Antiques & Fine Art Sale?
Lots are on view in the Cockermouth saleroom on Sunday, September 8 from 11am to 3pm, Monday September 9 and Tuesday September 10 from 10am to 5pm and throughout each sale day.
A fully illustrated catalogue can be viewed online at www.the-saleroom.com/Mitchells where buyers can also register to bid live during the sale or leave automatic bids in advance.
Alternatively, those unable to attend the sale can arrange to bid by telephone or leave commission bids in advance by contacting the saleroom.
For further information about lots featured in the auction and condition reports contact James Moore on 01900 827800.
What’s next at Mitchells?
Mitchells next three day Country Sporting Sale takes place from October 9 to October 11.
Entries are invited now for a range of upcoming specialist sales including:
- Crafting and Music Sale on September 19
- Woodworking, Engineering & Workshop Sale on October 31
- Maritime & Transport Sale in November
So if you have something to sell, Mitchells do free drop-in valuations at their Cockermouth saleroom Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Alternatively, you can email your valuation request and photographs to [email protected] or call the saleroom on 01900 827800 to arrange a home visit, including in the South Lakes and Furness areas. Contact Mitchells now for your free valuation!
