A painting by by LS Lowry and Geoffrey Bennett has made an astonishing £23,500 at a recent auction at Cockermouth saleroom Mitchells.
Some1,750 lots were sold during the three-day sale, totalling over £237,000 making it one of Mitchells’ best sales of the year so far.
The highest selling lot was the joint artwork depicting Rockcliffe Church near Carlisle where Bennett was minister.
The painting features several characteristic matchstick figures in the foreground by Lowry, including children playing with a ball and a dog.
Mitchells had given the artwork a conservative estimate of £2,000 to £5,000, knowing it had the potential to make more given its impeccable provenance which included a photograph of Lowry and Bennett looking at the painting together which added to its appeal and potential value.
The painting quickly exceeded its estimate as a tense battle played out between two people bidding in the saleroom with bids jumping up in large increments of £500 until the painting was finally sold for £23,500 to a member of Bennett’s extended family.
The artwork was 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.
The trust’s treasurer,, who was watching the live auction online, contacted Mitchells’ head of antiques & fine art James Moore immediately afterwards. They said: “Thank you for your superb marketing of the painting. Watching the auction online, I couldn’t contain myself and kept shouting! And there was applause at the end as well, just to round it off. Your whole team is absolutely superb, especially that auctioneer!”
Joss Naylor bust
The sale also included another lot being sold with proceeds going to charity, a bronze resin bust of legendary fell runner Joss Naylor OBE (1936-2024) which made an £2,100.
The bust was donated for sale by the sculptor who made it, Paul Bainbridge MRSS, to raise funds for Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team, of which Joss was honorary vice president.
Pictures
In addition to the Lowry/Bennett painting was another artwork with Lowry connections, a small watercolour by his much admired protégé Sheila Fell RA (1931-1979) Aspatria 1969 which sold for £2,500.
Other valuable works by renowned local artists included a watercolour Crummock and Buttermere by EH Thompson (1879-1949) which made £1,600.
An acrylic on canvas The Langdale Pikes from Elterwater by Simon Bull (born 1958) dated August 1999 also did well selling for £820.
There were a few more surprises among a very strong picture section with some artwork greatly exceeding their estimates.
An 18th century oil on canvas portrait of Henry Earl of Lonsdale which had belonged to Edward Stanley of Ponsonby Hall in 1882 made £1,800 against an estimate of £150-£250.
An acrylic on canvas wrapped board, Uccello Con Le Foglie (Bird With Leaves) by Anita Klein (born 1960), signed and dated 2010, with an estimate of £500-£700 did very well selling for £1,400.
The biggest surprise however was a Barbara Davis Rae CBE RA FRSE (born 1943) signed limited edition print Quarry Edge with an estimate of £50-£80 which made £1,000.
A life-sized 3D Herdwick ewe, 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 made £1,100.
The most valuable lot amongst the jewellery was an 18ct white gold gentleman’s ring set with 1.7 carats of natural diamonds sold for £2,700.
Collectors’ items included six rare walnut and oak 18th century Westmorland riddle or baking boards sold for £1,100.
Elsewhere in the sale was a large, single owner collection of over 100 horological lots including a LeCoultre & Co. gentleman’s sliding and folding front wristwatch which surprised bidders by making £1,800 against a humble estimate of only £100 to £150. From the same collection was a 1920s Dunhill Unique Lighter silver cased combined lighter and watch which made £980.
Highest selling lots among the furniture and clocks were six George III Chippendale style dining chairs which made £1,500 and an early 20th century rosewood regulator longcase clock which sold for £1,100. A 20th century chess set games table and matching pair of leather armchairs did much better than expected selling for £1,000.
Fully illustrated catalogues with the prices realised in all Mitchells’ sales can be viewed online at www.mitchellsantiques.co.uk.
Mitchells next three day Country Sporting Sale takes place from October 9 to October 11. For further information about lots featured in the auction and condition reports contact James Moore on 01900 827800.
Also coming soon is a range of specialist sales including a Crafting & Music Sale this Thursday, September 19, followed by a Woodworking, Engineering & Workshop Sale on Thursday October 31 and you can still contact David Dunlop for free valuations and entries.
The Maritime & Transport Sale on November 7 is also inviting entries so if you have any items on a maritime or transport theme, contact Claire Machin for free valuations and to enter goods for sale.
If you have something you think might be valuable and want to find out what its worth, Mitchells offer free valuations by appointment at their Cockermouth saleroom and home visits by arrangement, including in the South Lakes and Furness.
Contact Mitchells on 01900 827800 to book an appointment or email your valuation request and photographs to info@mitchellsantiques.co.uk
