The enduring popularity of Cumbrian artist Percy Kelly was reflected in the latest auction of artworks in Cockermouth – where two of his works fetched the highest prices.

The most valuable lot in the sale turned out to be a charcoal picture of a Cumbrian village, which had been expected to sell for £1,500 to £2,000.

In the end it was bought for £4,200.

Another charcoal with the same estimate almost reached the same price. Entitled Church by bridge West Cumbria it was signed by the artist and dated 1958. It sold for £4,100.

There were some of Kelly’s early watercolours, less typical of his works, which were given low estimates from £400 to £800 but far exceeded them.

Railway Bridge, Aspatria sold for £3,400. An early watercolour of a Cumbrian village dated 1949 sold for £3,100.

Another 1949 watercolour of the lower end of Kirkgate, Cockermouth sold for £2,200.

Kelly’s works were not the only ones that sold for far more than expected.

An oil on canvas painting by William Darling McKay, called Feeding the Cattle Early, had an estimate of just £400 to £600 but surprised bidders by selling for £3,100.

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

The sale featured three still life paintings by contemporary artist Tim Gustard which also fetched high prices.

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.

Among other items in the auction were an original letter and postcards from Beatrix Potter.

They were, sent to a tenant, Mrs Mackereth, at Sawrey Ground at Crosby, near Maryport, and dated August 2, 1943.

The letter discusses haymaking, thatching, the weather and Beatrix Potter’s hens, while the postcards mention Cockermouth Show. The lot sailed past its £500 to £800 estimate to sell for £2,700.

There was also 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 which sold for £2,600 – far exceeding its estimate of £600 to £800.

But the Asian art section contained perhaps an even bigger surprise.

A Chinese green and aubergine dragon bowl probably dated from the period 1662 to 1722, but was damaged and so was only expected to sell for around £30 to £50.

Yet it eventually reached £1,700.

A pair of Chinese blue and white bottle vases from the 1800s, decorated with a pagoda and river landscape, also did very well, and sold for £1,200 against an estimate of £250 to £350.

The highest selling lot among the furniture was a late 17th century oak chest of drawers, which made £1,900.

Other impressive items of furniture included a George III mahogany cabinet and combined chest, probably made in Ireland.It was bought for £1,400.

Garden furniture did better than the indoor items, with a set of three large stoneware garden urns selling for £2,000.

One unusual piece was a snuffbox in the form of a finely carved hand.

It was dated from 1857 and had a silver mount, and exceeded its estimate of £200 to £300 by selling for £1,000.

A fully illustrated catalogue with all the hammer prices achieved during the sale can be viewed online at www.mitchellsantiques.co.uk.

n Mitchells’ next three-day antiques and fine art sale will be from Wednesday, September 4 to Friday, September 6.

The closing date for entries will be Tuesday, August 6.

Anyone requiring a free valuation of items for potential sale should contact auctioneers Mark Wise or Richard Harrison on 01900 827800.

Today is the last day for submissions for Mitchells’ next vintage and antique toys sale, on Saturday, July 20.

Anyone considering entering toys for sale should contact auctioneer Ewan Duff on the same number.