A diamond bracelet and a signed limited edition print by David Hockney were among the highest selling lots in Mitchells Antiques & Fine Art Sale.
Local artists William Heaton Cooper, Edward H Thompson and Alfred Wainwright also sold well at the three-day auction held at the firm’s Cockermouth saleroom.
The most valuable item in the sale was an 18ct white gold diamond bracelet with 33 round brilliant cut natural diamonds and a total jewellery weight +/- 16.88 carats which sold for £18,000.
A signed limited edition iPad print artwork by David Hockney RA (British b 1937) from A Bigger Book, a huge Sumo-sized book, complete with stand published by Taschen in 2016 made £16,000.
Coins also did well with a 1994 United Kingdom gold proof sovereign four coin set selling for £4,000 and a 2018 Krugerrand Launch set making £2,700.
Highlights among the watches included a silver 1920s Rolex Oyster watch sold for £1,900 and a 9ct gold pocket watch with enamelled face which made £1,700.
One of the biggest surprises in the sale was an intricately embroidered silk Chinese Mandarin robe decorated with dragons, clouds and spheres estimated at £200 to £300 which finally sold for £3,200.
Another surprise was a collection of vintage and antique door furniture, handles and locks with keys with an estimate of only £80 to £120 which made £2,300.
The highest value paintings were by Clifford (Cliff) Holden (British 1919-2020), an oil on canvas, Dancer 1948, with a modest estimate of £400 to £600 which sold for £2,200.
A watercolour by the acclaimed artist William Heaton Cooper RA (1903-1995) Silver Gleams Crummock Water also did extremely well selling for £2,200 against an estimate of £700 to £1,000.
A framed and signed original drawing of Great Gable by Alfred Wainwright (1907-1991) with an estimate of £800 to £1,200 sold for £2,100.
Another original Wainwright drawing of Bowscale Tarn also did well selling for £1,500.
To coincide with the launch of Charles Nugent’s new book cataloguing the life and work of The Lake District’s Most Prolific Painter Edward H Thompson (1879-1949), the sale featured over 30 of the artist’s landscape paintings including the watercolour Snow Scene Whinlatter and Skiddaw with Rabbits, which sold for £1,600.
The highest selling lot among the furniture was a Victorian marquetry serpentine fronted credenza which exceeded its estimate of £1,800 to £2,200 selling for £2,800.
An early Robert Mouseman Thompson of Kilburn stool, with burr oak top and dowelled construction, and carved mouse to one leg, with an estimate of £300 to £500 made £650.
What’s next at Mitchells?
Entries are open now for Mitchells’ biggest ever Vintage Toy & Model Sale on Thursday February 13 and Friday February 14.
For free valuations of items for potential sale contact David Lomas on 01900 827800. Entries close on Friday January 23.
Mitchells are offering 0% sellers’ commission on all gold sold in January.
If you have something gold, or anything else you think might be valuable and want to find out what it’s worth, Mitchells provide free valuations by appointment at their Cockermouth saleroom and home visits by arrangement, including in the South Lakes and Furness.
Alternatively, email valuation request and photographs to [email protected]
Valuation services for insurance and probate and house clearances are also available. Contact Mitchells now on 01900 827800 to arrange.
