Circa 1960s
An excellent pair of the extremely popular Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson solid oak bookends. Adzed and tooled with rich deeper fumed and waxed depth of colour and excellent mice carved to the sloped front of each bookend.
Size: 9.5(w) x 9.5(d) x 15(h)cm
Circa 1960s/early 70s
An excellent example of the earlier made book trough from the Kilburn workshops of Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson. Adzed to the sides and book ledge, whereas late 70s onwards book troughs have only been adzed to the outer sides. Signature mouse carved in high relief to the right curved front edge.
Cleaned and re-waxed in our workshop it presents in superb condition with a rich aged medium fumed oak colour, with no losses or repairs.
Size: 45.7(w) x 20.5(d) x 20.5(h)cm
Circa 1990s/00s
An excellent solid oak fire screen with a glazed inset a William Morris floral ‘Theodosia’ embroidered tapestry in the wine colour by the ex Mouseman craftsman Colin ‘Beaverman’ Almack. Twin side supports with top finials, a loop carry handle, sledge feet and solid oak back. Colin’s trademark beaver in high relief to the top.
Excellent condition, lighter fumed and clear wax finished.
Size: 51(w) x 20(d) x 76(h)cm
Circa 1950s/60s
An excellent example of the sought after solid oak Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson Horseshoe Pin Dish / Ashtray sized around an actual horseshoe. It presents in excellent condition with minimal evidence of usage and a signature mouse carving to the top.
Size: 123(w) x 12.5(d) x 3.8(h)cm
Circa 1990
An excellent example of the highly popular solid oak Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson nest of three tables. Of typical rectangular form each graduated table with adzed tops supported on four octagonally carved legs, joined by stretchers. Excellent detailed mice carvings to a facet of the leg on each table.
Excellent medium fumed condition to all the tables, the tops retaining their original workshop applied polyurethane finish with new clear wax applied on top, the lower legs also cleaned and re-waxed.
Sizes: Lg 61(w) x 37.5(d) x 47.5(h)cm
Med 50(w) x 32(d) x 42(h)cm
Sml 39.3(w) x 26.5(d) x 36.5(h)cm
Circa 1980s
A wonderful solid oak refectory style 4’6″ dining table or desk from the ex mouseman craftsman Robert (Bob) ‘Wrenman’ Hunter of Thirlby near Thirsk. Still working in his 90s, he is the last surviving craftsman to have trained directly under Robert Thompson himself.(Robert Thompson 1876-1955). Features an adzed top supported on twin shaped and carved trestle legs and sledge feet, joined by a pegged stretcher. Bob’s signature wren is carved in high relief to one end of the stretcher, although it has sadly had its beak broken at some point….. an all too common occurrence.
Wonderful original unrestored condition with its original polyurethane coated top to give spill and stain resistance, minor expected usage marks and rich depth of colour.
Size: 137(w) x 82(d) x 73(h)cm
Circa 1960s / 70s
A lovely set of four of Tom Whittaker’s solid oak panel backed dining chairs, in good original unrestored condition ready for immediate use. Made in his distinctive rustic artisan style they stand on four square carved legs, joined by stretchers. The legs and back panels feature pegged joints and adzing to all visible surfaces with his trademark gnome carved prominently to the front left leg of each chair. The seats retain their original thick aniline leather hide, webbed to the underside and fastened to the frame with copper studs. The leather is in good useable overall condition, the rear of one with more creasing than the others and just the expected marking and staining from everyday use always found on this type of older untreated analine leather. All the chair frames are strong and completely solid with no joint movement with some minor spill staining, more evident on one of the chair legs. The wooden frames now present in a warm aged medium oak colour.
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 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: 40.5(w) x 43(d) x 82.5 / 87.5(h)cm
Circa 2010
Excellent solid oak side table by the ex mouseman craftsman Gavin ‘Lilyman’ Kirkbride. Rectangular form with subtly adzed top, twin panelled cupboard doors below and panelled and pinned sides and rear. Supported on four shaped and octagonally carved legs. Gavin’s signature arum lily carved in high relief to one front leg.
Excellent condition and medium oak colour, just the smallest of everyday usage nicks in the top.
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 client’s 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 14 years we are good friends and support each other whenever we can. He’s the ex mouseman craftsman David turns to when repair work or restoration advice is needed on our own stock pieces.
Size: 59(w) x 37(d) x 77(h)cm
Circa 2000s
A superb ‘as new’ 5′ x 3′ solid oak dining table from Horace ‘Knightman’ Knight of Old Mill Furniture of Balk near Thirsk. He founded his business in 1984 after he formerly trained and worked with the well known ex mouseman craftsman Sid Pollard. Now a family business it still trades today.
Of rectangular form with a 6 plank adzed top, supported on thick twin trestle style legs and feet joined with a traditional curved and pegged stretcher. His signature knight is carved into one leg.
Superb ‘as new’ condition and medium fumed colour with modern protective heat and stain resistant finish to the top.
Size: 152(w) x 91.5(d) x 77(h)cm
Circa 1980s
Excellent 18″ oak milking / cow stool by Robert Thompson the Mouseman of Kilburn with signature mouse carved to the central edge of the kidney shaped seat. Subtly adzed and dished seat with three splayed and tapering legs visibly wedge jointed through the seat top.
Excellent condition, medium oak fumed colour with tight leg joints.
Size: 43(w) x 34(d) x 45.5(h)cm
Circa 1980s/90s
An excellent solid oak stool or small side table from the Kilburn workshop of Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson. Of rectagular form with an adzed top visibly nailed onto the leg framework. Stands on four octagonally carved legs joined by stretchers, one leg with signature trademark mouse carving.
Excellent condition and medium fumed colour.
Size: 40.5(w) x 28(d) x 38(h)cm
Circa 1930s
A beautifully original and well patinated early solid oak stool with its original interwoven leather strapped seat. Of typical rectangular form with fully adzed octagonally carved legs joined by fully adzed stretchers with early rounded top edges. A characterful signature mouse to the facet of one leg.
Wonderful original condition and rich colour, sympathetically cleaned and waxed to retain the patina of the wood and leather. Some expected age related wood splitting on the framework which is visible in the images but the frame is tight with no loose joints. The original leather is remarkably taught but there is the expected natural stretching on the leather strapping but no evidence of any broken strap repairs.
Size: 34(w) x 26.5(d) x 34.5(h)cm
