Circa 1980s
An excellent example of a 3′ solid oak X framed Coffee Table by the ex mouseman craftsman Peter ‘Rabbitman’ Heap. Rectangular form with a three plank adzed top, supported on curved X framed adzed legs, joined by stretchers.
Excellent condition and colour.
Size: 91(w) x 49(d) x 45.5(h)cm
{gallery}DS2647{/gallery}
Circa 1980s
An excellent solid oak Bedside / Side Cabinet by the ex Mouseman (1954-66) craftsman Albert Jeffray who retired in 2005. Of rectangular form with adzing to all external surfaces, open shelf storage with door panelled and shelved cupboard below. Standing on its original castors which are easily removed if not required. Albert’s signature eagle is incised into lower side frame rail.
Excellent clean condition and medium fumed colour.
Size: 41(w) x 38.5(d) x 73(h)cm
{gallery}DS2726{/gallery}
Circa 1960
An excellent vintage example of the extremely popular Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson solid oak Trinket Box. Of smaller size than more modern made examples, adzed and tooled inside and out with a well carved mouse on the lid.
Size: 18(w) x 11(d) x 10(h incl mouse )cm
{gallery}DS2676{/gallery}
Circa 1970s/80s
Excellent 14″ oak Calf / Milking Stool by Robert Thompson the Mouseman of Kilburn with signature mouse carved to the central edge of the kidney shaped seat.
Wonderful waxed colour and condition with tight leg joints.
Size: 35(w) x 33(d) x 36(h)cm
{gallery}DS2741{/gallery}
2007-10
An excellent solid oak four legged Side Table by the ex mouseman craftsman Gavin ‘Lilyman’ Kirkbride of Brompton, Northallerton. Square form with adzed top, drawer and undershelf, panelled sides and rear, standing on four octagonally carved legs with Gavin’s trademark arum lily carved to one.
Excellent condition and colour, following a gentle clean and re-wax.
Provenance: Susan & Dennis Exley Collection, avid collectors of the Yorkshire craftsmen’s work from the 1970s to 2000s. Sue supported Gavin in his early solo days so these pieces represent some of his earliest commissions. This is one of three side tables of differing configurations / sizes we have acquired.
Having had a keen interest in woodwork from a young age Gavin went to work as an apprentice at Robert Thompson’s after leaving school in 1992. His career at Thompson’s spanned 15 years and saw him qualify as a highly skilled craftsman. He established his own business in Northallerton in 2007, the business name inspired by the birth of his first child, daughter Lily. As an ex mouseman craftsman and inspired by the ethos and traditions acquired there, Gavin now makes bespoke hand crafted solid oak furniture and joinery to clients specifications, each piece carved with an Arum Lily, a symbol of peace and serenity. Personally recommended by David, Gavin is also generous of his skills and time to our own business. Having known each other well for over 12 years, he’s the ex mouseman craftsman David turns to when repair work or restoration advice is needed on our own stock pieces.
Size: 33(w) x 36(d) x 76(h)cm
{gallery}DS2686{/gallery}
Circa 1950s/60s
An excellent example of the sought after solid oak 4′ tall Bookcase by Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson with earlier period adzing to the side frames and upper ledge and three adjustable shelves.
Wonderful condition and rich medium colour with a signature mouse to the right side leading edge.
Size: 83(w) x 26.5(d) x 122(h)cm
{gallery}DS2723{/gallery}
Circa 1980s
An excellent Herbert ‘Kingfisher’ Bird of York 14″ Oak Stool. The octagonal top features a Yorkshire rose carved centrally, typical exposed and wedged leg joints through the seat and scalloped lower edge. The three curved legs are extensively adzed and his signature kingfisher is carved in high relief to one leg.
Excellent condition, medium fumed waxed finish.
Size: 26.5(seat dia) x 34.5(h)cm. Max leg width 34.5cm.
{gallery}DS2649{/gallery}
Circa 1980s
An excellent Herbert ‘Kingfisher’ Bird of York 14″ Oak Stool. The octagonal top features a Yorkshire rose carved centrally, typical exposed and wedged leg joints through the seat and scalloped lower edge. The three curved legs are extensively adzed and his signature kingfisher is carved in high relief to one leg.
Excellent condition, medium fumed waxed finish.
Size: 26.5(seat dia) x 34(h)cm. Max leg width 34cm.
{gallery}DS2648{/gallery}
Circa late 1950s / 60s
A very rare solid oak Stan Dodds ‘Rabbitman’ Book Trough, an early example of Stan Dodds’ solo work, made whilst he was still working full-time at Robert Thompson’s, and before Peter Heap later trademark protected the rabbit in 1970 as his own carved signature. Of rectangular form,19″ wide with an exquisitely carved rabbit to on end, adzed to the sides, book ledge and rear in line with earlier Robert Thompson’s craftsmanship.
Excellent condition and a rich deeper fumed colour.
Stan Dodds (1928-2012) worked at Robert Thompson’s from 14 years of age in 1942 up to retirement in 1994, taking over the role of master carver from his mentor George Weightman in the 1960s, and responsible for most of their best carvings in recent decades. His unique skill and craftsmanship is increasingly being recognised by collectors who seek out his distinctive mouse signature, as well as his own rabbit and later woodpecker signature. In retirement he undertook regular part-time carving work for a number of the Yorkshire Critters craftsmen, most notably Wilf and Trevor at Squirrel Furniture.
Stan married his wife Norma in 1960. Norma was the niece of Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson’s granddaughter-in-law. The newly married couple were given the use of a Thompson’s owned house in nearby Osgodby. Here Stan set up his own small workshop ‘out the back’ where he made fine carvings in his spare time. The carvings that Stan produced under his own name with either a rabbit or woodpecker signature, both during his years at Kilburn and after his retirement, are particularly fine. The level of detail and refinement in Stan’s carving is testament to his skill and deep understanding of wood. Today, he and George Weightman are regarded as Robert Thompson’s best ever carvers, their work appreciated by avid collectors of Mouseman around the world, whether produced for Robert Thompson’s or in their own spare time for personal use or resale.
Size: 47.5(w) x 18(d) x 18.5(h)cm
{gallery}DS2733{/gallery}
Circa late 1950s/60s
A very rare solid oak Stan Dodds ‘Rabbitman’ Ashtray, an early example of Stan Dodds’ solo work, made whilst he was still working full-time at Robert Thompson’s, and before Peter Heap later trademark protected the rabbit in 1970 as his own carved signature. Of rectangular adzed form with an exquisitely carved rabbit to on end.
Excellent unused condition and honey colour.
The second of two we have acquired, the other in similar unused condition, the rabbit facing the other way.
Provenance, from Stan Dodds’ personal estate.
Stan Dodds (1928-2012) worked at Robert Thompson’s from 14 years of age in 1942 up to retirement in 1994, taking over the role of master carver from his mentor George Weightman in the 1960s, and responsible for most of their best carvings in recent decades. His unique skill and craftsmanship is increasingly being recognised by collectors who seek out his distinctive mouse signature, as well as his own rabbit and later woodpecker signature. In retirement he undertook regular part-time carving work for a number of the Yorkshire Critters craftsmen, most notably Wilf and Trevor at Squirrel Furniture.
Stan married his wife Norma in 1960. Norma was the niece of Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson’s granddaughter-in-law. The newly married couple were given the use of a Thompson’s owned house in nearby Osgodby. Here Stan set up his own small workshop ‘out the back’ where he made fine carvings in his spare time. The carvings that Stan produced under his own name with either a rabbit or woodpecker signature, both during his years at Kilburn and after his retirement, are particularly fine. The level of detail and refinement in Stan’s carving is testament to his skill and deep understanding of wood. Today, he and George Weightman are regarded as Robert Thompson’s best ever carvers, their work appreciated by avid collectors of Mouseman around the world, whether produced for Robert Thompson’s or in their own spare time for personal use or resale.
Size: 11.5(w) x 9.5(d) x 4.5(h)cm
{gallery}DS2732{/gallery}
Circa 1960s/70s
An excellent solid oak 2’6″ wide cupboard by the ex mouseman craftsman Sid Pollard of Bagby, near Thirsk. Adzed to all visible surfaces, the top with inset carved tudor rose, over a drawer and twin doored cupboard storage with inner fixed shelf. Complimented by traditional wrought iron fittings.
Excellent original clear wax finished condition, just one small chip to a rear corner edge on the top as photographed in the gallery below.
Sid Pollard lived in Bagby, near Thirsk, and was one of Robert Thompson’s early apprentices, together with his brother. His solo work is almost always unmarked, preferring to let his craftsmanship speak for itself. After leaving Thompson’s he combined his solo work with the family building firm, Pollard Builders. His solo work dates from the late 40’s through to his death in 1994.
Size: 76.2(w) x 37.5(d) x 76.2(h)cm
{gallery}DS2729{/gallery}
Circa 1980
A superb solid oak 4′ tall Bookcase by Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson with wonderful burr oak side frames and four adjustable shelves, rather than the standard three. A distinctive burr to the upper ledge too.
Superb stain free condition and warm medium colour with a signature mouse to the right side leading edge.
Size: 83(w) x 26.5(d) x 122(h)cm
{gallery}DS2693{/gallery}
