Circa 1970s
A unique bespoke made 6′ long display shelf complete with its original handcrafted wooden support brackets. Adzed to the front and side sections of the shelf. Superb condition with a deep colour and waxed patina. Derek’s signature lizard is carved
to the upper surface of the shelf.
From the same original ownership as the Lizardman nest of tables (DS1225) and napkin rings (DS1230).
{gallery}DS1224{/gallery}
Circa 1970s
A Derek Slater ‘Lizardman’ Nest of 3 Tables, rectangular in form with adzed tops, each standing on four carved and chamferred legs joined with stretchers. Derek’s signature lizard is carved to the front leg of the largest table.
Clearly extremely well looked after they present in superb condition with exceptionally good graining, a deep waxed patina and no evidence of staining. There is very slight surface scratching to the largest table commensurate with normal usage, the two
smaller tables have clearly hardly ever been used and are pristine.
From the same original ownership as the Lizardman shelf (DS1224) and napkin rings (DS1230)
Sizes: L 61(w) x 35(d) x 45(h)
M 52(w) x 31.5(d) x 39(h)
S 42.5(w) x 28.5(d) x 34(h)
{gallery}DS1225{/gallery}
1975
No longer sold and rare to the market so keenly sought after both by collectors and smokers. The hand carved oak surround is octagonally shaped, each facet adzed to reflect the light and highlight the grain. A signature mouse is carved in high relief
to one facet. Darker fumed and waxed from new it now has a wonderful rich depth of colour and is free from any evidenace of damage or staining. Original baize lining to the underside
The lighter is the original fitment, a gas filled piezo ignition lighter, clean and in working order when gassed. It is removable from the surround for filling and maintenance.
Size: 7(dia) x 7.5(h)
{gallery}DS1231{/gallery}
Circa late 1960s
Older tables in good original condition are always popular with the market. A Mouseman 3′ refectory style occasional coffee table, featuring an adzed single plank top supported by two large carved octagonal legs and sledge feet joined by a single
chamferred stretcher. A large mouse is carved prominently in high relief to one of the legs.
The table presents in superb well looked after original condition. It is wax finished, not varnished and this has matured to a wonderful deep honey colour and patination. There is no evidence of staining, damage or previous repairs and is free from any
significant scatch marks.
Size: 91(w) x 37.5(d) x 44.5(h)
{gallery}DS1226{/gallery}
Circa 1970s/80s
A mouseman pin dish presented in superb unused condition and colour, free from any damage or staining. Adzed to the upper surface with a well carved mouse in high relief. The pin dish is the same overall size as the ashtray but is rarer to the market.
It is no longer produced by Robert Thompson’s.
Size: 10.2(w) x 7.4(d) x 3.5(h)
{gallery}DS1218{/gallery}
1975
A wonderful example of the Mouseman fruitbowl with the signature mouse carved centrally that was introduced in the early 1960s. Carved from a single block of quarter sawn oak that highlights the medullary ray figuring of the wood, tooled to the
inner with adzing to the outersurface. Lovely deep honey colour, no damage or evidence of losses or repair just the expected minor marking to the inner bowl commensurate with careful usage as a fruitbowl. A superb fat mouse is carved centrally
in high relief.
Size: 28(dia) x 5.7(h)cm
{gallery}DS1232{/gallery}
Circa 1930s / early 40s
An early Mouseman ashtray, characterised by the shallower but larger bowl diameter than is seen on 50s onwards ashtrays and the distinctive signature mouse carved onto the piece. ( See the image gallery below for comparison of the bowl diameter
between a pre war and post war ashtray). Lovely condition with a deep consistent colour and patina and just one small burnish to the bowl. The mouse is especially large, finely carved with a distinctive face and very high back.
Size: 10.2(w) x 7.4(d) x 4 (h)
{gallery}DS1223{/gallery}
Circa 1969
A pristine condition Mouseman oak panelled sewing /craft workbox. Rectangular form with a hinged lid and storage area underneath, over a single drawer sized to house cotton reels etc. The workbox stands on carved octagonal legs with a signature
mouse carved on high relief to one front leg. The workbox features extensive adzing to the framework as well as the top in line with earlier mouseman production. More modern made pieces only have adzing to the hinged top.
Privately acquired it has been excepionally well cared for and cherished by a lady who has recently celebrated her centenary and is in genuine pristine original condition with no faults or staining. Waxed and with a lovely depth of colour and patina.
Size: 50(w) x 34(d) x 60.6(h)
{gallery}DS1228{/gallery}
1966
A rare and highly sought after Cotswold School Arts and Crafts square stool by James Cleasby Dent ( 1920 – 2003) featuring the carving details and skills he acquired whilst working at the renowned Stanley Webb Davies workshop in Windermere, Cumbria. Of
square form with octagonally carved and chamferred legs joined by arched stretchers. The top frame features tytpical SWD alternating thumbnail carved details and canted edges, supporting a woven tapestry drop-in seat pad.
A stretcher bears James’s trademark twin acorns carved in high relief. The piece is also initialled and dated by James in typical SWD fashion.
The wooden frame presents in superb waxed condition with no faults or staining and has a superb depth of colour. The original woollen tapestry seat has some expected wear but remains useable.
James was born into a farming family in Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria. Interested in woodwork from an early age he started working with Stanley Webb Davies as a fee paying student, later becoming an apprentice and then a fully qualified craftsman. He
worked at the SWD Gatesbield workshop until 1954, leaving to set up his own workshop in Ravenstondale near Kirkby Stephen, after his wife Kathleen took up a teaching post at the local village school. The church in Kirkby Stephen contains numerous examples
of his work and Stanley himself in 1976 is recorded as remarking that he regarded his font cover in the church as ” a masterpiece”. Hugh Wright’s acclaimed biography on Stanley Webb Davies contains many references to James Dent (see especially p 102,
109-111) I highly recommend it to those interested in learning more about Stanley Webb Davies and his talented craftsmen.
Size: 31.5(w) x 31.5(d) x 34(h)
{gallery}DS1219{/gallery}
1969
A Mouseman sideboard in immaculate condition, handcrafted from English oak using traditional tools and techniques, including adzing to the top, frame and drawer fronts in line with early Robert Thompson’s production. Modern made sideboards
are only adzed to the top.
Featuring a rectangular top with canted corners and a low back rail, over a pair of panelled storage cupboards each with an inner shlef, fitted with wrought iron latches and hinges. These are divided by a central bank of three graduated drawers fitted
with turned handles, the top one of which is divided and baize lined for cutlery. The sides and rear are as well panelled and finished as the front. A signature mouse is carved in high relief to the front right leg.
I only ever buy the very best examples and this piece presents in stunning original condition and has been carefully used all its life, demonstated by the lack of any ring marks or staining, the deep wax polished colour and original interior
which has always been protected with lining material to prevent marking.
Size: 182.5(w) x 50(d) x 81.5(h)
{gallery}DS1221{/gallery}
Circa 2000s
A rare and unusual find on the vintage market, a modern bespoke made 5′ long Mouseman mantel or display shelf that appears to have never been used by its original owner. Bow fronted with extensive adzing to the front facing edge and upper surface with a signature mouse carved in high relief to the front edge. Excellent condition with no staining or evidence of screw holes or other fixings. Golden honey colour with a wax over polyurathane finish in line with modern finishing practice at Thompson’s on pieces with surfaces which are susceptible to heat, water spills or heavy wear.
Size: 152.5(l) x 12 to 18(w)cm.
{gallery}DS1214{/gallery}
Circa 1960s /70s
Superbly well looked after and presented octagonal coffee table. Adzed to the top and standing on cruciform legs and four feet, a high backed mouse carved prominenly to the leg section. Waxed all over from new, never varnished on the top, it has clearly been carefully used and is free from any staining or damage to the top. It presents in a lovely deep honey colour.
Size: 50.5(dia max) x 48(h) cm
{gallery}DS1215{/gallery}
