Stock ref: DS1207

Circa 1980

A set of 4 octagonally carved Mouseman  Napkin Rings in the more modern 2″ size. Early made napkin rings were smaller at 1 1/2″. In superb condition free from any damage and with a rich colour and patina. Each features a trademark mouse carved in
high relief to one facet. The mice carvings are from the same craftsman.

Size: 6.5(dia) x 5 (h) cm

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Stock ref: DS1192

Circa 1940s/50s

Rare and highly collectable  ‘pristine’ condition early adzed cheeseboard with the mouse carved onto the platter and characteristic thin handle. From a small collection of recently acquired ‘Yorkshire Critters’ pieces from a deceased estate, in completely
original condition and clearly only ever used for display. It’s the best original condition early board i’ve had, totally free of any  knife cuts scratches or staining and never previously been oiled or waxed. The cheeseboards were and still are
untreated by Thompson’s when new so it was clean but dry on acquisition so I have treated the wood to a coat of clear Liberon wax which now enhances the natural graining and mellow colour of the  adzed oak. This could easily be dissolved off with
white spirit by purchasers if they preferred the natural unfinished look.

Size: 37(l) x 18(w) x 4.3(h)

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Stock ref: DS1206

Circa 1980

A modern Mouseman leaded and glazed corner display cabinet of canted form with moulded edged top, single leaded glazed door which opens from the left, flanked by similarly glazed  and leaded side panels, opening to three glass shelves. Trademark mouse incised into the lower right side panel. Traditional wrought iron hinges and drop handle. Complete with original key set and wooden mounting bracket.

Superb condition with a medium honey colour. 

Size: 68(w) x 44.5(d) x 97(h) cm.

Currently £ 1970 new  from R. Thompson’s so good value at:

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Stock ref: DS1147

Circa 1950

An early Mouseman 4′ Bookcase in excellent condition with a particularly distinctive fat and well defined mouse carved in high relief and 4 adjustable shelves held in place with wooden shelf supports which are of a different size to those used in more
modern made examples.  In line with early manufacture the side panels, top and bottom fixed shelves are all adzed to their visible surfaces. Many of the shelves contain natural burrs, filled  and smoothed with a mix of resin and sawdust as
was standard practise at the time. The bookcase also features a rare  and highly unusual bespoke made single panel back board  constructed in  1/2″ solid oak from 4 jointed and glued planks, the panel then glued and nailed into a recess
cut into the sides and top/bottom. It is more usual for the backs to be panelled into several sections with muntins inserted which accomodate and hide any natural wood shrinkage.

On acquisition the rear panel showed evidence of age related shrinkage  causing some detachment from the sides. After confirming the genuine provenance and 50’s date of the bookcase, Robert Thompsons have recently undertaken a repair to this panel,
firstly removing it then  letting in a new  1cm wide strip of oak before re-attaching it correctly. They also  bespoke made 4 new shelf support buttons, in keeping with the size and profile of the originals,  the invoice for all this
work is included with the sale.

The bookcase was acquired locally from the grandaughter of the original purchasers the Allick family, owners of the Buck Inn, Chopgate at the time. To aid its mobility around their home and the inn it stood on R. Thompson’s supplied Shepherd castors for
many years but these had rusted badly and seized so have been removed, they are not a standard fitment on the bookcases anyway, although new ones can still be purchased.

It now presents in a superb condition with minor expected natural hairline wood splits in the side panels and slight evidence of old water staining on the botton fixed shelf. The colour and patination  is everything Mouseman collectors would hope
for in an early piece, a wonderful naturally aged mix of deep honey and brown tones.  

Size: 83(w) x 26(d) x 122(h)

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Stock ref: DS1205

Circa 1930s to 50s

I am delighted to offer for sale on behalf of my clients this  rare early bespoke made Mouseman 9′ rectangular dining table and 10 armchair suite, all presented in superb condition.

Purchased as a ‘Mouseman classic’ suite by my clients directly from Robert Thompson’s in 1988, with the invoice to support,  together with a number of other pieces. It would cost in excess of £20,000 to make the same bespoke suite new today. Its age and early history is not recorded on the invoice, although my client recalls being verbally advised by R. Thompson’s that it had been in a Bradford boardroom for many years. The suites precise age remains unclear, although the table bears a number of distinctive features that would suggest it was originally made in the 1930s, whilst the bespoke designed armchairs have a mix of features, some dating to the 30s others through to the mid 50s.

The 9′ long dining table features a 2″ thick 4 plank top with typical exposed fox tongue dowel jointing. It stands on  substantial 4″ thick carved and dowel jointed legs with sledge feet and a central  6 1/2″ wide stretcher. Two 30’s style mice are carved in high profile on the table legs, one to each end of the legs. The whole piece features extensive adzing to both visible and unseen areas, including the underside of the table top. It was common practise to adze the rough sawn underside of table tops in the late 20s and early 30s but the practise ceased following the purchase of a planing machine in the late 30s. The table presents in superb condition with solid joints and a deep aged colour and patina commensurate with very careful and considerate usage all its life.

The matching armchairs feature 4 carved high panel backs with extensive adzing front and rear, as well as to the entire legs and frame. The seat is a single solid piece of cow hide wrapped around and nailed to the underside of the seat frame. These cow hides were all replaced by R. Thompson’s prior to my clients purchase in 1988. These are all typical 30s /early 40s design features, however, intrerestingly the bottom front rush rail has been set back. This was a modification made in the mid 50s to the standard armchair design still in use today to allow better placement of the diners feet when the suite was in use. Trademark mice, all by the same craftsman, are carved in high relief onto the front right leg of each chair. Colour and condition of the wood is excellent with no loose joints. The leather has been well looked after and now has a lovely patina with only very minor splash marking.

The suite is avilable to view in-situ at my clients home in central Nottingham by appointment. Access in and out of my clients home with the table is fine. Please contact me directly to register your interest and discuss any initial questions you may have, after which i will pass your personal contact details onto my client to arrange a convenient viewing.

Table size: 274(w) x 115(d) x 74(h)cm

Armchair size: 53(w) x 52(d) x 130(h)cm

Update 22/9/13. The table top is detachable via 4 securing bolts to make transport easier.

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Stock ref: DS1185

Circa late 50s/early 60s

No longer made by Robert Thompson’s, excellent examples of these neatly proportioned four legged occasional / coffee tables are increasingly rare to the market, making them particularly sought after by Mouseman collectors. It features a quater sawn and adzed one piece top with rounded edges displaying superb golden medullary ray figuring, supported on four carved faceted baluster legs joined by stretchers. The table top is nail pinned to the supporting framework, like on the dish topped stool, and in line with early craftsmanship the legs, stetchers and top supports are also all subtly adzed on outer faces. A well carved trademark mouse is carved to one of the legs.

Privately acquired directly from the original local purchasers grandaughter it is presented in excellent cleaned and re-waxed condition, in a medium honey oak colour. All the joints are solid and it is free from any staining or evidence of repairs or damage, just a few very minor light suface scratches on the top commensurate with normal useage.

Size: 83(w) x 36(d) x 41.5(h)cm

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