Stock ref: DS2028

1930

An excellent early bespoke commissioned Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson Oak Monk’s Chair, the curved back rail with a  carved monks head and flower head. The central splat with a shield carved with the Horlick family coat of arms and inscribed with the family motto ‘Labore Et Scienta (by work and by knowledge), the side splats with tudor rose flower heads. The seat is an early drop-in woven leather lattice design, supported on four legs with a crossed stretcher, an excellent early mouse carved to the front left leg.

Excellent rich colour and patina, solid  joints and usable condition. The original leather has been replaced in the past  but is acquiring a nicely aged patina, and the under seat frame strenghened with additional corner blocking, all thought to have been completed in the 1970s, on all the chairs from their collection. Original Horlicks and Glaxo Smith Kline assett register numbers affixed to the underseat framework.

Sympathetically cleaned and re-waxed.

Excellent provenance: from the Horlicks Collection and recorded in the Robert Thompson ledger, 1930, Messers Horlick, Slough, Monks Chairs with coats of arms, £ 6 each. 

The Horlick family are famous for  creating and owning the famous malted milk drink ‘Horlicks’ manufactured at their large Slough factory, which has only  recently closed following the sale of the business by Glaxo Smith Klein.  The Robert Thompson ledgers  indicate that the family commissioned a significant number of pieces from 1930 through to 1939 to furnish their boardroom and other offices. The surviving pieces have recently been sold at auction in 46 lots, representing the largest single owner collection to come to market since the Leeds Girls Grammer School collection was sold in 2008. The Horlicks  sale achieved a total  auction hammer price of £ 236,000 (excl buyers fees), the highest price being a new UK record of £ 35,000 hammer price ( £44,660 incl buyers fees) for a 1930 made  Dresser.

One of two that we have available for sale, these are 2 of 8 commissioned in 1930 for the Horlick’s boardroom.

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Stock ref: DS2185

Circa 1960s/70s

An excellent solid oak shallow Fruitbowl made by Thomas ‘Gnomeman’ Whittaker in his typical rustic adzed style. Tooled to the inner bowl with a carved tudor rose centrally placed. His signature gnome is carved to the base of the  bowl.

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: 30(dia) x 5(h)cm

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Stock ref: DS2182

Circa 1980s/90s

A rare to market example of a solid English oak Book Trough by the ex mouseman craftsman David ‘Oakleafman’ Langstaff who established Oak Leaf Furniture in Easingwold in 1986, which operated until his retirement in the ’00s.

Excellent condition with adzed quadrant sides, one carved with his signature oakleaf.

Size: 45.6(w) x 20.5(d) x 20.2(h)cm

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Stock ref: DS1957

Circa 1960s / early 70s

An excellent example of the popular Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson Oak Serving Tray of typical kidney shape, subtly  tooled to the tray surface with two excellent signature mice forming the side handles. No stains or losses  with excellent rich depth of fumed colour, very minor natural warpage to the wood.

Size: 46.5(w) x 31(d) x 2(h)cm

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Stock ref: DS2183

Circa 1950s

A superb example of an early Mouseman Book Trough, extensively adzed to all visible surfaces including the rear. The amount of adzing has been reduced over the years and since the late 70s only the quadrant sides have been adzed. Presents in excellent condition with a wonderful patina  and warm aged colour tones.  It also features an upwards facing carved  mouse which is rarer to find on these book troughs as they are harder to carve against the grain. 

45(w) x 20.5(d) x 20.5(h)cm

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Stock ref: DS2186

Circa 1980s/90

An excellent example of the beautifully detailed and carved English oak Wall Hung Gated Letter Rack by the ex mouseman craftsman Bob ‘Wrenman’ Hunter who established Wren Cabinetmakers in the early 1980s, following working with Don ‘Foxman’ Craven and Colin Beaverman’ Almack. His wren carvings are exquisite.

Size: 30.5(w) x 9(d) x 20.3(h)cm

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Stock ref: DS2027

1930

An excellent early bespoke commissioned Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson Oak Monk’s Chair, the curved back rail with a  carved monks head and flower head. The central splat with a shield carved with the Horlick family coat of arms and inscribed with the family motto ‘Labore Et Scienta (by work and by knowledge), the side splats with tudor rose flower heads. The seat is an early drop-in woven leather lattice design, supported on four legs with a crossed stretcher, an excellent early mouse carved to the front right leg.

Excellent crich colour and patina, solid  joints and usable condition. The original leather has been replaced in the past  but is acquiring a nicely aged patina, and the under seat frame strenghened with additional corner blocking, all thought to have been completed in the 1970s, on all the chairs from their collection. Original Horlicks and Glaxo Smith Kline assett register numbers affixed to the underseat framework.

Sympathetically cleaned and re-waxed.

Excellent provenance: from the Horlicks Collection and recorded in the Robert Thompson ledger, 1930, Messers Horlick, Slough, Monks Chairs with coats of arms, £ 6 each. 

The Horlick family are famous for  creating and owning the famous malted milk drink ‘Horlicks’ manufactured at their large Slough factory, which has only  recently closed following the sale of the business by Glaxo Smith Klein.  The Robert Thompson ledgers  indicate that the family commissioned a significant number of pieces from 1930 through to 1939 to furnish their boardroom and other offices. The surviving pieces have recently been sold at auction in 46 lots, representing the largest single owner collection to come to market since the Leeds Girls Grammer School collection was sold in 2008. The Horlicks  sale achieved a total  auction hammer price of £ 236,000 (excl buyers fees), the highest price being a new UK record of £ 35,000 hammer price ( £44,660 incl buyers fees) for a 1930 made  Dresser.

One of 8 commissioned in 1930 for the Horlick’s boardroom.

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Stock ref: DS2152-2

Circa 1980s/90

An excellent  solid English oak pendent style 4 branch ceiling chandelier from the ex mouseman craftsman Wilf ‘Squirrelman’ Hutchinson of Husthwaite, near Thirsk. Carved octagonal central column with Wilf’s trademark squirrel carved prominently, jointed to four curved and tapering arms with brass BC bulb fittings. The business continues following Wilf’s death in the capable hands of his son Trevor.

Excellent condition and medium oak colour, gently cleaned and re-waxed.

Originally purchased as a pair which are being priced individually, but we will also be pleased to discuss their sale as a pair.

Size: 59(dia) x 55.5(h)cm

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Stock ref: DS2152-1

Circa 1980s/90

An excellent  solid English oak pendent style 4 branch ceiling chandelier from the ex mouseman craftsman Wilf ‘Squirrelman’ Hutchinson of Husthwaite, near Thirsk. Carved octagonal central column with Wilf’s trademark squirrel carved prominently, jointed to four curved and tapering arms with brass BC bulb fittings. The business continues following Wilf’s death in the capable hands of his son Trevor.

Excellent condition and medium oak colour, gently cleaned and re-waxed.

Originally purchased as a pair which are being priced individually, but we will also be pleased to discuss their sale as a pair.

Size: 59(dia) x 55.5(h)cm

Sold

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