Mitchells

Located in the Cumbrian market town of Cockermouth, Mitchells began as an auctioneer of livestock and furniture in 1873.

In 2002 the livestock and land agency sector moved out of the town centre but the antiques and fine art auctions continue to be held in the original Victorian cattle market with its central octagonal ring acting as the main saleroom.

Mitchells hold regular general sales but their antiques and fine art sales are held quarterly, alongside bi-annual sporting sales.


Painting by LS Lowry and Geoffrey Bennett

Member of Reverend’s family buys LS Lowry collaborative work

17 September 2024

A depiction of a church by LS Lowry (1887-1976) made in collaboration with his lifelong friend Revd Geoffrey Bennett drew strong interest at the latest sale at Mitchells in Cumbria.

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Lowry and reverend friend go to church together

27 August 2024

A joint artwork by LS Lowry and lifelong friend Rev Geoffrey Bennett is among the 1750 lots offered in Mitchells’ three-day Antiques & Fine Art Sale from September 11-13.

People moves

New hires, promotions and expansions across antiques dealers and auction houses

07 February 2024

Movers and Shakers across the world of art and antiques.

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Peter Orr silver trophy races away to 10 times low estimate

23 October 2023

This colonial-era Indian silver horse racing trophy is marked for Peter Orr and Sons of Madras.

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Private bidders go sleeper spotting

12 June 2023

Dealers are now facing more competition from collectors as works estimated in the hundreds of pounds range are taken to four-figure prices

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One of Fell’s final works comes to auction

05 June 2023

A drawing by Sheila Fell (1931-79) offered in Cockermouth showed how strong demand can emerge even for a simple sketch.

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Styles sculpture tribute to mark Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh silver wedding anniversary

01 May 2023

Alex Styles (1922-2017) was in 1966 given a glowing accolade in The Times: “Many think he is the finest designer of hand-made silver in England.”

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Seeing double eagle heads while drinking

17 April 2023

Enamelled imperial eagle tankards or 'reichsadlerhumpen' – large three or four-litre glass drinking vessels enamelled with the 56 coats of arms and the quaternion eagle of the Holy Roman Empire – were popular from the 16th to the late 18th century.

David Brookes

Promotions and appointments at Mitchells, Lyon & Turnbull and Christie’s

22 March 2023

The latest round up of new faces across the art and antiques sector.

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Churchill gathers sale demand

16 January 2023

An inscription bearing Winston Churchill’s signature and dated 1948 found in a single volume of his famous history of the Second World War that came to auction in Cumbria was believed to be authentic.

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Sleepers woken up via the internet

16 January 2023

Demonstrating how the internet has transformed the market for potential sleepers, three portraits that drew strong interest recently at different auctions in the UK and Europe all sold to online buyers.

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Letter: Reel was really an Allcocks

07 November 2022

Re: Bid Barometer, ATG No 2565. As the successful purchaser of the fishing reel sold by Mitchells of Cockermouth on October 14 which was illustrated within Bid Barometer I feel I must drop you a line regarding this.

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Eyelashes help Sasha doll flutter to £1000

22 August 2022

Sasha dolls were popular presents in the sixties and seventies and still in demand enough at auction today to hit four figures.

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De László mixes with high society

18 July 2022

Glamorous portraits of wealthy women such as Lady Northcliffe command the highest prices

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Mitchell’s Maryport to go on display at maritime museum

18 July 2022

One of the most notable harbour scenes ever to emerge by the Victorian artist William Mitchell (1823-1900) of Maryport was among the lots bringing interest at a recent Mitchells sale.

Harrison Goldman

New hires and an auction house expansion – the latest news from across the art and antiques sector

26 May 2022

Appointments at Christie’s New York and Bellmans are among the latest jobs news.

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Castle keeps auctions interest going

10 January 2022

Further lots from ancient country seat star alongside a stellar specialist collection.

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Moose not on the loose

22 November 2021

Leering 4ft 7in (1.4m) out from the saleroom wall and with a 4ft 2in (50cm) antlers spread, a massive taxidermy moose head and shoulders was the major trophy at the best-yet biannual Country and Sporting sale at Mitchells (22% buyer’s premium).

Greystokes Castle

Greystoke Castle contents to be sold at auction in Cumbria

13 November 2021

The contents of Grade II* listed Greystoke Castle near Penrith is coming to auction at Mitchells in Cockermouth with a selection of fine paintings, furniture and Chinese porcelain.

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Early Mary Fedden works gaining greater focus from bidders

16 August 2021

Pre-1950s Mary Fedden works are stylistically different to her later still-lifes and coastal subjects

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