Circa 1960s/70s
An excellent heart shaped solid oak stool from the Acorn Industries workshop of Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger and his later family. Of typical octagonal, splayed and tapering three legged form, the legs wedge jointed and visible through the seat. The seat adzed with his trademark acorn in low relief prominently carved.
Excellent and solid condition with a rich deep colour.
Size: 35(w) x 33(d) x 33(h)cm, seat 33(w) x 28(d)cm.
{gallery}DS1968{/gallery}
Circa 1910
A wonderful glazed marquetry inlaid picture entitled ‘Music’ from the Rowley Gallery, original oval plaster and gilt frame with inscribed faded label verso.
Excellent overall original condition, minor expected wear to the rear, and a couple of tiny chips from the plaster.
The Rowley Gallery of Decorative Art was established in 1898 in Kensington, London by Albert & Emma Rowley, specialising in picture framing, mounting, restoration, carving and gilding. Albert was influenced and inspired by the Arts & Crafts movement and was great friends with Frank Brangwyn, it wasn’t long before the gallery was producing veneer inlaid marquetry panels, pictures and furniture, commissionng artists to make the designs specifically for them. It is this work for which they are best known today by collectors of Arts & Crafts period furniture and decorative art.
The gallery business continues to this day, albeit in other ownership.
Size: 80.5(w) x 54.5(h) x 3.5(d)cm
{gallery}DS1924{/gallery}
1981
An excellent solid oak Dining Set from the Acorn Industries workshop of Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger, and later family. Comprising a fully adzed traditional refectory style 5’3″ dining table with trestle legs and a pegged lower stretcher which bears his trademark carved acorn in low relief. Complimented by a set of 8 chairs, 2 carver armchairs and 6 dining chairs, all with rail backs and drop in leather upholstered seats – tan coloured for the dining chairs, dark brown for the armchairs.
Excellent condition, all cleaned and rewaxed in our workshop. The table top also treated to make it more resistant to staining.
Privately acquired from the original owners family, together with other ‘Acorn’ furniture items and complete with a copy of the original sales invoice dated 9th Oct 1981.
Size: Table 160(l) x 84(w)cm, 5’3″ x 2’9″ins.
Size: Chairs 45(w) x 50(d) x 87(h), 55.5(w) x 55(d) x 87(h)cm
{gallery}DS1923{/gallery}
Circa 1950s
A wonderful example of Thomas Whittaker’s rustic craftsmanship, this traditional solid oak Writing Bureau is adzed all over and features a sloped fall front with very distinctive wrought iron strapping, opening to reveal numerous compartments and a writing desk, supported on two pull out lopers, Below are 2 short over 2 long gradurated storage drawers with wrought iron teardrop handles and his trademark gnome carved intricately to the front side corner.
Cleaned and re-waxed in our workshop it presents in a wonderful condition and rich colour with just some natural wood splitting to the shaped trestle side. The original key and lock for the fall front are present, but due to the natural age shrinkage of the wood no longer match cleanly to work effectively.
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: 70.5(w) x 45(d) x 106.5(h)cm
{gallery}DS2076{/gallery}
Circa 1950s
JUST ARRIVED … photographed as purchased, contact us for further details.
Size: 91(w) x 48.5(d) x 93.3(h)cm
{gallery}DS2079{/gallery}
Circa 1960s
JUST ARRIVED … photographed as purchased, contact us for further details.
Size: 91.5(w) x 48.5(d) x 93(h)cm
{gallery}DS2078{/gallery}
Circa mid 1920s
A rare and beautifully patinated 1920s made example of a 4′(w) x 5’6″(h) solid oak Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson Double Wardrobe. Made during the period when Robert was still developing his initial domestic furniture range and refining his distinctive design style, and had only approximately 6 craftsmen working with him at Kilburn. Fully adzed and panelled all over with an unusual wave and dot carved frieze running along the top front edge, and very distinctive curved ‘bat wing’ wrought iron hinges and sprung door latch. The interior is very clean and fitted with a clothes rail to the left and a range of useful shelves and graduated drawers to the right.
Excellent overall condition, rich aged colour and a large mouse carved in low relief to the lower front left.
Size: 122(w) x 60(d incl. door fitting) x 167(h)cm
{gallery}DS2077{/gallery}
1930
A bespoke commissioned Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson Oak Hat and Coat Stand, standing on an adzed four section 2′ flat platform base with a typical early mouse carved prominently to one foot, supporting an adzed octagonally carved and tapering central column. The octagonal top has 8 pegs and 4 wrought iron hooks.
Sympathetically cleaned and re-waxed it presents in excellent condition with solid joints and a rich aged depth of colour and patina.
Excellent provenance: from the Horlicks Collection and recorded in the Robert Thompson ledger, 1930, Messers Horlick, Slough Bucks, Hat & Coat Stand at £ 4.
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.
We have purchased 2 of the 4 hat and coat stands from this commission, made with this base design. ( see also stock ref: DS2025)
Size: 61(w) x 61(d) x 166.3(h)cm
{gallery}DS2026{/gallery}
Circa 1960s/70s
An excellent example of the highly popular 10″ solid oak Table Lamp from Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson. Of typical form with square base and octagonally carved and tooled central stem and a nicely detailed mouse carved to one facet. Rewired with new 3 core period style braided wiring and antiqued brass bulb holder . Presents in a wonderful waxed and warm darker fumed colour with no faults or losses and an excellent finely detailed mouse carving.
Size: 9.7(w) x 9.8(d) x 25.5(h)cm
{gallery}DS2085{/gallery}
Circa 1900 or 1920
Genuine A W Simpson of Kendal Arts and Crafts dished oak ‘Easy Stool’ with woven leather seat held in place with upholstery studs. Four square corner legs each tapering to an octagonal foot. Correct ‘Handicrafts’ label to the underside with the number 7118 stamped into the wood, dating the piece to either circa 1900 or 1920. Collectors will know that the job codes were re-started each time they got to 10,000, so do repeat, making it difficult to date exactly.
Presents in excellent solid condition, the wood displaying a lovely rich aged and waxed patina. Unusually, the leather looks to be original, a central stap has torn in the past and been repaired with a bridging leather patch visible on the underside.
Size: 40.5(w) x 30(d) x 31(h)cm
For those interested in learning more about his life and work i can highly recommend the following publications:
The Simpsons of Kendal, Craftsmen in Wood 1885-1952 by Eleanor Davidson, published 1978.
The Beautiful Furniture of the Simpsons of Kendal by Hugh Wright, published 2011.
{gallery}DS2070{/gallery}
Circa 1970
An excellent example of the popular solid oak Fruitbowl from Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson, tooled inside and out, the mouse carved to the centre of the bowl as it has been since the early 1960s.
Excellent condition and colour.
Size: 29.7(dia) x 6(h)cm
{gallery}DS2037{/gallery}
Circa 1960s
An excellent example of the highly popular 10″ solid oak Table Lamp from Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson. Of typical form with square base and octagonally carved and tooled central stem and a nicely detailed mouse carved to one facet. Rewired with new 3 core period style braided wiring and antiqued brass bulb holder . Presents in a wonderful waxed and rich medium fumed colour with no faults or losses.
Size: 9.5(w) x 9.5(d) x 25.5(h)cm
{gallery}DS2041{/gallery}
