AN antiques and fine art sale postponed by the second lockdown will finally go ahead next week.

Mitchells three-day sale totals some 1,626 lots and includes a signed Picasso etching, a fine selection of silver, several original and unusual drawings by Wainwright and some early oak furniture as well as jewellery, watches, objects of art and other unique Christmas gifts.

The most valuable lot in the Cockermouth sale is expected to be an 18th century full-length portrait in oils of George III, circa 1770, which is expected to make £7,000-£10,000.

A Pablo Picasso hand-signed limited edition etching from the Erotica Series “The Old Man and His Tonkinese Hat” is expected to make £800-£1,200. Other valuable artworks include a still life oil on canvas painting on a seasonal theme “Christmas Roses” by Cecil Kennedy (1905-1977), signed, framed and dated 1954 which should make £2,000-£3,000 and an oil on board painting by the British born artist and architect Peter Yates (1920-1982) “The Painter Alfred Wallis’ Shop St Ives” which has a estimate of £700-£1,000.

The sale also includes two charcoal drawings “Cumbrian Village” and “Cumbrian Farmstead” by local artist Percy Kelly (1918-1993), which both have estimates of £1,000-£1,500. Also up for auction are several original pen and ink drawings by the well-known guidebook author and illustrator Alfred Wainwright (1907-1991) some featuring unusual subjects. “The House of Correction Kendal” and “Stricklandgate Kendal” should make £800-£1,200 and “The Horse Market Kirkby Lonsdale” is valued at £600-£800. Amongst his landscape drawings, “Great Gable from Scarth Gap” has an estimate of £500-£800 and “Windgap Cove” £300-£500.

Eye-catching gift items amongst the jewellery are an 18ct gold ruby and diamond ring, 2.36 carats, which is expected to sell for £3,000-£4,000 and an 18ct gold diamond yellow sapphire and flower barrel pendant valued at £700-£1,000. A Victorian dapple grey rocking horse, restored and on a later safety stand, is valued at £500-£800 and a fine Indo-Persian fringed carpet measuring 445cm x 355 cm has an estimate of £600-£800.

The sale features a particularly good selection of silverware including a Victorian silver mounted claret jug by Walter & Charles Sissons, Sheffield 1889 valued at £200-£300 and an Elkington & Co silver desk stand with two lidded inkwells and pen dated 1898 with an estimate of £150-£250.

Valuable ceramics include a pair of 19th century Chinese celadon vases which could make £2,000-£3,000 and a large Royal Worcester two handled vase painted with highland cattle by John Stinton, circa 1912, with an estimate of £700-£1,000. A terracotta figure “Jeune Fille a La Fontaine” after Pierre-Alexandre Schoenewerk (French 1820-1885) is expected to sell for £300-£400.

More unusual lots in the sale include two 19th century carved wooden ships’ figureheads “Lady Rachel” and “Captain Hawthorne”, possibly made by the Maryport figurehead maker James Brooker, which should sell for £500-£800 each. A Victorian painted four fold screen depicting Napoleon Bonaparte and probably the Duke of Wellington should make £500-£800. A pair of 19th century leaf carved and fluted Carrera marble columns have an estimate of £300-£500.

As well as a good selection of early oak pieces, highlights amongst the furniture include a massive 19th Century pillar clock with 8 day striking movement by Francis Wells London, height 243cms, which should sell for £2,000-£3,000 and a Victorian walnut marquetry circular centre table with an estimate of £700-£1,000. Other highlights include a pair of Duresta of Shaftesbury leather upholstered wing easy chairs valued at £600-£800, a Victorian walnut secretaire Wellington chest worth £500-£800, a Regency rosewood table top cabinet valued at £500-800 and two 17th century Wainscot chairs, one with leaf carved cresting rail which should make £500-£800, the other with the initials EP valued at £400-£600.

Day one of the sale on Wednesday, December 9, will include Asian art, ceramics and glassware, jewellery, watches, silver and allied wares and books. Day two, on Thursday, December 10, will include textiles, paintings, drawings and prints, objects of art and collectors’ items, metalware, table boxes, wall clocks, barometers and mirrors.

Day three, on Friday, will include furniture, longcase clocks and dining tables.