Mitchells

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

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

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

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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).

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

William Billingsley (1758-1828), a key figure in the history of both English and Welsh porcelain, left the Derby factory in 1795 yearning to create the finest, whitest and most translucent porcelain.

Works by the Zinkeisen sisters continue to bring demand at auctions around the country.