Circa 1980s/early 90s
An excellent and unusual pair of 8″ tall solid oak display stands, each with a signature wren sitting on the top, from the ex mouseman craftsman Robert (Bob) ‘Wrenaman’ Hunter of Thirlby near Thirsk.
Superb condition and colour and no damage to the carved wrens.
Provenance: Susan & Dennis Exley Collection, avid collectors of the Yorkshire craftsmen’s work from the 1970s to 2000s.
Size: 9(w) x 12(d) x 20.3(h)cm
{gallery}DS2694{/gallery}
Circa late 1960s/70s
A rare and impressive pair of exquisitely carved solid oak Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson Double Wall Lights, of symmetrical form with ornate scrolled leaf forms which project outwards and forwards with beautifully detailed oak leaves and acorns below, the carving of which is always unique to the individual light fitting. The craftsman’s trademark mouse is carved prominently to the top crest of each light fitting.
Excellent condition and medium oak colour. We’ve gently cleaned the lights of minor ceiling paint flecks, and re-waxed them.
Size: 47(w) x 12(d) x 19(h)cm each
{gallery}DS2705{/gallery}
Circa 2007-10
A superb solid oak four legged Spinning Chair by the ex mouseman craftsman Gavin ‘Lilyman’ Kirkbride of Brompton, Northallerton. Lovely shaped seat back with carved interwoven lattice and Gavin’s trademark arum lily carved to one top edge. The subtly adzed seat supported on four carved and tapered legs.
Superb 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.
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: 40(w) x 41.5(d) x 93(h)cm
{gallery}DS2679{/gallery}
Circa 1980s / early 90s
An excellent solid oak circular Wine / Occasional Table from the talented ex mouseman craftsman Bob ‘Wrenman’ Hunter of Thirlby. The lipped circular table standing on a carved central stem supported by swept tripod legs. Superbly detailed wren carving to one of the legs.
Excellent condition and colour.
Provenance: Susan & Dennis Exley Collection, avid collectors of the Yorkshire craftsmen’s work from the 1970s to 2000s.
Size: 30.5(dia) x 57(h)cm
{gallery}DS2687{/gallery}
Circa 1960s
An excellent solid oak pedestal Plant Stand on a carved and flared octagonal base, octagonally carved central stem and octagonal pot base. Wonderful fat signature mouse carved to the stepped base.
The top doesn’t look as though it has ever had a pot stood on it…… it’s usual for these to be stained or ring marked.
Size: 31(dia) x 106.5(h)cm
{gallery}DS2682{/gallery}
Circa 1980s / early 90s
An exquisite small tooled oak heart shaped trinket box with signature wren sitting on the detachable lid from the ex mouseman craftsman Robert (Bob) ‘Wrenaman’ Hunter of Thirlby near Thirsk.
Superb condition and colour.
We’ve seen these little boxes reach hammer prices in excess of £ 500 at auction, such is their popularity when they come to market and two determined buyers want the piece.
Provenance: Susan & Dennis Exley Collection, avid collectors of the Yorkshire craftsmen’s work from the 1970s to 2000s.
Size: 5(w) x 5(d) x 5.5(h)cm
{gallery}DS2698{/gallery}
Circa late1960s/70s
A wonderful 6 3/4″ Textured Glass Nail Head Vase, pattern number 9683 in the rare indigo colour, designed by Geoffrey Baxter for the renowned British glass manufacturer Whitefriars.
No known faults, remnants of original Whitefriars label top the top rear.
Size: 4.5(w) x 4.5(d) x 17(h)cm
{gallery}DS2624{/gallery}
Circa 1980s/early 1990s
An exquisite pair of carved oak Bookends from the talented ex mouseman craftsman Bob ‘Wrenman’ Hunter of Thirlby. Superbly detailed carving, each tree and wren carved from a solid block of oak.
Excellent colour, we are aware of a tree branch breakage on one piece which we’ve had reglued and is shown in the image gallery. The same bookend has a small chip loss on the beak of the wren.
Original labels to the base with the pre 01… phone number, confirming their early date for a wrenman piece.
Provenance: Susan & Dennis Exley Collection, avid collectors of the Yorkshire craftsmen’s work from the 1970s to 2000s.
Size: 8.5(w) x 11(d) x 18(h)cm
{gallery}DS2697{/gallery}
Circa 1980s / early 90s
An excellent solid carved oak Napkin Ring by the ex mouseman craftsman Bob ‘Wrenman’ Hunter. In our opinion these are the best carved napkin rings of any of the Yorkshire craftsmen. The carved oak logs and the wren’s are equisite.
Excellent conditon and colour.
Marked to the underside as shown in the image gallery below.
Size: 5.2(w) x 5 9d) x 6(h)cm
{gallery}DS2699{/gallery}
Circa 1980s / early 90s
An exquisite carved oak wren sitting on a contrasting circular wood trunk base by the ex mouseman craftsman Bob ‘Wrenman’ Hunter of Thirlby, near Thirsk.
Superb condition, no loss to the beak or tail, both of which are prone to damage.
Provenance: Susan & Dennis Exley Collection, avid collectors of the Yorkshire craftsmen’s work from the 1970s to 2000s.
Size: 9 (dia) x 6.5(h)cm
{gallery}DS2700{/gallery}
Circa 1990s /early 00s
An excellent small carved oak Squirrel on a tooled square block. Excellent condition and colour.
Signed to the base TH, handcrafted by Wilf’s son Trevor who joined him in the business in the 1980s and now runs the business on his own following Wilf’s death.
Provenace: Susan & Dennis Exley Collection, avid collectors of the Yorkshire craftsmen’s work from the 1970s to 2000s.
Size: 5(w) x 5(d) x 9(h)cm
{gallery}DS2701{/gallery}
Circa 1960s
An excellent example of Tom Whittaker’s traditional rustic craftsmanship, this traditional oak occasional / coffee table features a circular adzed top with wonderfully detailed guilloche banding. The top supported on a carved pedestal leg and four crossed feet. Tom’s distinctive gnome signature is carved to the lower section of the pedestal leg.
Excellent condition with tight leg joints and a rich deep colour, cleaned and re-waxed in our workshop.
Thomas whittaker (1910 -1991) lived and worked in York and later in Littlebeck, near Whitby, North Yorkshire. His trademark gnome is carved onto most of his post war work and was inspired by a German jewish refugee he met shortly before the outbreak of war who was judging a piece he had entered into the North of England Craftsmen’s Exhibition in Newcastle. He was asked to indenify the piece in some way and the judge suggested the ‘german oak spirit’ the legend being 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
Size: 49.5(dia) x 46(h)cm
{gallery}DS2641{/gallery}
