Pictures by the local artist Percy Kelly were among the highest-selling lots at a three-day sale at Mitchells in Cockermouth last week.

The most valuable lot in the sale was a charcoal picture of a Cumbrian village by Percy Kelly (1918-1993) which sold for £4,200 against an estimate of £1,500 to £2,000.

Another charcoal with the same estimate, entitled Church by Bridge West Cumbria, signed and dated 1958, sold for £4,100.

Three less typical early watercolours by the artist with lower estimates from £400 to £800 also exceeded expectations.

Railway Bridge, Aspatria sold for £3,400, an early watercolour of a Cumbrian village dated 1949 sold for £3,100 and another watercolour from the same year depicting the lower end of Kirkgate, Cockermouth sold for £2,200.

Other valuable artworks were three still life paintings by British contemporary artist Tim Gustard (born 1954).

A 2006 acrylic-on-board painting ‘Strawberries, cream and champagne’ sold for £3,500, ‘The Silver Gustard Pot’ sold for £1,800 and a 2016 painting ‘Blue Bells and Figs’ sold for £1,600.

An oil on canvas painting by William Darling McKay RSA (1844-1924) ‘Feeding the Cattle Early’ surprised bidders by selling for £3,100 against an estimate of £400 to £600.

Another fine English School painting, circa 1850, showing a panoramic view of Whitehaven with shipping, possibly by the artist C Welsh, was sold for £2,900.

Another valuable lot of historical interest included an original letter and postcards from Beatrix Potter, sent to a tenant Mrs Mackereth at Sawrey Ground, Crosby, Maryport, Cumberland and dated August 2, 1943.

The letter discusses haymaking, thatching, the weather and Beatrix Potter’s hens and the postcards mention Cockermouth Show.

The lot sailed past its £500 to £800 estimate, eventually selling for £2,700.

The sale also included an extensive collection of musical instruments from the estate of musicians Jean and David Bridge.

The most valuable instrument to be sold was an English full-size violin in a fitted case with a label inscribed Thomas Earle Hesketh, Manchester Fecit 1904 ‘copy of a Joseph Guarnerius owned by Adolf Brodsky’.

The violin sold for £2,600, considerably more than its £600 to £800 estimate.

The biggest surprise in the Asian art section was a Chinese green and aubergine dragon bowl with six character Kangxi mark, probably dating from 1662-1722.

The bowl had been estimated at only £30 to £50 due to damage but it nevertheless sold for £1,700 in spite of its condition.

A near pair of 19th century Chinese blue and white bottle vases decorated with a pagoda and river landscape also did well, selling for £1,200 against an estimate of £250 to £350.

Highest selling lots among the furniture included a late 17th century oak chest of drawers sold for £1,900 and a George III mahogany cabinet and combined chest, probably Irish, which made £1,400.

Other valuable lots included a set of three large stoneware garden urns sold for £2,000 and an unusual snuffbox in the form of a finely-carved hand and with a silver mount dated 1857 exceeded its £200 to £300 estimate, selling for £1,000.

Mitchells next Antiques & Fine Art Sale will be on September 4 to 6 and the closing date for entries is August 6.