Circa 1960s/70s
No longer produced by Robert Thompson’s, this privately acquired ashtray looks to be unused and presents in superb condition and colour, free from staining or damage with a well carved mouse in high relief.
Size: 10.3(w) x 7.7(d) x 3.5(h)cm
{gallery}DS1183{/gallery}
Circa 1974
No longer made by Robert Thompson’s, this mouseman ashtray looks to be unused and is in superb waxed condition free from any damage or staining with a lovely depth of colour. Privately acquired directly from a local North Yorkshire family who recall it
being bought new in 1974.
Size: 10(w) x 7.5(d) x 3.5(h)cm
{gallery}DS1182{/gallery}
Circa 1960s/70s
Traditional three legged mouseman milking stool featuring an adzed kidney shaped top, exposed wedged joints and a left facing trademark mouse carved in high relief.
Wonderful condition and a deep honey colour with tight leg joints. No splashing to the octagonally carved legs just slight evidence of minor old staining to the rear of the seat, all commensurate with its age and careful usage.
Size: 40.5(w) x 35(d) x 45.5(h) cm overall, Seat size: 36.5(w) x 28(d)
{gallery}DS1177{/gallery}
Circa 1960s
Traditional mouseman 18″ cow stool featuring an adzed kidney shaped seat , exposed wedged joints, with an excellently carved high backed mouse facing right, standing on three angled octagonal legs.
Superb condition with solid leg joints and a deep honey colour, almost no staining at all to the seat and very minor splash marking to one front leg, all commensurate with its age and careful usage.
Size: 43.5(w) x 38.5(d) x 45.3(h)cm overall, the seat: 36.5(w) x 2(d)cm
{gallery}DS1178{/gallery}
Circa 1970
A superb early table of irregular rectangular shape featuring a solid 2″ thick single plank adzed top and irregularly carved underside edges. A very large trademark beaver is carved in high relief to the side edge. The table stands on four substantial
angled, tapered octagonal legs.
Wonderful condition and colour, presented in a rich warn chesnut brown colour. The top was originally varnished which had protected it from staining over the years but this has now been removed and replaced with the preferred wax finish.
Size: 108(w) x 56(d) x 40.5(h)
{gallery}DS1154{/gallery}
Circa 1970s/80s
A mouseman pin dish presented in superb 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. No longer
produced by R. Thompson’s.
From the same ownership as the Napkin Rings (stock ref: DS1174)
Size: 10.3(w) x 7.5(d) x 3.3(h) cm
{gallery}DS1175{/gallery}
Circa 1970s/80s
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. Three mice are clearly from the same craftsman, the fourth featues a mouse with slightly more pronounced whiskers and slightly lighter overall patina to the oak.
Size: 6.5(dia) x 5 (h) cm
{gallery}DS1174{/gallery}
Circa 1969
‘Squirrelman’ Wilf Hutchinson octagonally shaped breadboard with a signature carved squirrel in high relief carved to the upper corner side. Subtly adzed to the top surface this piece has only been used for display purposes so is free from any staining
of surfave cuts and has a superb rich colour which matches the fruitbowl (DS1172) which was in the same ownership from new and purchased at the same time. The only minor fault is some chipping to the squirrel’s protruding ears.
Size: 30.5(w) x 25.5(d) x 2.5(h)
{gallery}DS1173{/gallery}
Circa 1969
Wilf Hutchinson ‘Squirrelman’ 12″ fruitbowl with his signature squirrel carved prominently to the centre of the bowl, adzed to the outer side and subtly tooled to the inner bowl. Superb condition free from any damage with a rich nutty brown colour.
Privately acquired from the same original ownership as the squirrelman breadboard (DS1173) and dining suite (DS1170, DS1171).
Size: 30.5(dia) x 7(h)
{gallery}DS1172{/gallery}
Circa 1960s
Rare bespoke made Alan Grainger oak rocking chair, quite different to his usual design, believed to have been commissioned and made to a Hugh Birkett (1919-2002, respected Cotswold School Arts & Crafts furniture maker) design. Acquired privately
from a knowledgeable Arts & Crafts period collector it is in wonderful condition free from any evidence of previous repairs, with a shaped wooden seat and solid joints all round and with a golden honey colour commensurate with age. There is minor
wood shrinkage and joint splitting on the seat. Alan’s trademark carved acorn can be found incised on a side rail / stretcher. The chair features a number of interesting design details such as the extensive use of chamferd edges, twin stretchers,
octagonal tapering back splats, finials and octagonal carving to the chair arms, making it appealing to both Yorkshire Critters and Cotswold School collectors.
Size: 59.5(w) x 74(d) x 103(h)cm
{gallery}DS1168{/gallery}
Circa 1940s /50s
Early Mouseman fruitbowls in excellent condition, with the mouse carved to the outer face of the bowl, are always highly sought after by collectors. Presented in superb condition, it is adzed to the outside and tooled to the inner bowl, with with
a glorious naturally rich aged colour enhanced only with a clear wax. Free from damage or staining in the bowl as it has never been regularly used as a fruitbowl, mostly just on display. The only very slight wear i’ve found is to the
ears of the mouse from regular polishing.
R. Thompsons moved to the wider but shallower bowl with the mouse carved centrally in the middle of the bowl in the late 1950s to save on manufacturing time and cost.
Size: 23.5(dia) x 7(h)cm
To see an early bowl and other items being made at R. Thompsons in the 40s i enclose a link to a privately made 8mm film made in 1948 held by the YFA (Yorkshire Film Archive)
{gallery}DS1169{/gallery}
Circa late 1940s
A superb early bespoke made Yorkshire oak dresser of modest proportions, displaying Tom Whittaker’s distinctive artisan rustic charm and adzing to all visible sections. Features a carved and adzed detachable three shelved plate / display rack, the
back comprising an impressive single plank of adzed oak. The back has some expected age related shrinkage to the oak but all the joints remain solid. The lower section features a linen folded decorated single drawer and sides and stands on
four tapered legs joined by stretchers. The rear legs have been shaped to allow fitment around a skirting board and closer to a wall. This looks to be an original design feature, at the request of the orginal owner, as the thickness of the rear stretcher
has been sized accordingly. A signature gnome is carved in recess to the corner front leg of the drawer section. Wonderful colour and patina from the accumulation of wax on the wood.
Size: 71(w) x 37.5(d) x 180(h) cm
Thomas whittaker (1910 -1991) lived and worked in Littlebeck, near Whitby, North Yorkshire. His trademark gnome is carved onto all his work and was inspired by the legend that a gnome is born each time an acorn germinates and will guard that tree throughout
its life. His work is now highly regarded and nearly as well known as Robert Thompson’s. His business ceased on his death and his former home and workshop is now a private residence. For those interested in learning more about his life and work i attach
a link to a British Pathe newsreel from 1961. Gnomeman Thomas Whittaker
Sold
{gallery}DS1164{/gallery}
