Stock ref: DS2899

Circa late 1970s

Rare to market, made in very limited numbers and presented in exceptional condition. Always a wonderful subject it is beautifully observed with amazing attention to detail and carved with a trademark mouse carved to the rear in high relief.

Commonly thought to have been carved by Stan Dodd’s, but discussions with Robert Thompson’s in 2015, when we bought another example, confirm that they commissioned retired ex mouseman master craftsman  and noted carver George Weightman to produce these otters in limited numbers in the late 1970s as he was particularly  well regarded for his natural artistic ability. George, known as ‘Dodd’ to his fellow craftsmen was the main specialist carver at Robert Thompson’s prior to Stan and tutored him as he developed his own carving skills.

Size: 29(l) x 6.7(w) x 11.5(h)cm

Sold

Stock ref: DS2911

1995

A classic oak rocking chair in excellent condition from the Kilburn workshops of Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson. Two lattice carved panels to the rear with arms supported by carved octagonal front legs, a trademark mouse carved in high relief to one. Original cow hide seat secured with antiqued brass upholstery studding and original fire safety compliance label to the underside dated 12/4/95.

Presented in superb condition free from any staining or damage in a medium fumed rich colour.

Size: 98(h)cm at rest.

Sold

Stock ref: DS2878

Circa late 1920s

An exceptionally rare and very early design of a Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson solid oak octagonal occasional table. This is the first one we’ve ever seen come to market, although an image of one is shown on page 43 of the book Mouseman: The Legacy of Robert Thompson of Kilburn. Distinguished from later designs by a number of unique features, most notably the large centre baluster pedestal leg with rounded feet as featured on dining tables of the period, and its overall larger diameter and height than later made occasional / coffee tables. The image gallery below shows it next to a standard sized and designed octagonal occasional / coffee table (50dia x 46(h) which dates to the 1930s.

Sympathetically refurbished by ourselves with technical assistance to re-joint the dowelled top from good friend and former mouseman craftsman Gavin Kirkbride at Lily Furniture.

Beautiful darker fumed colour and patina.

Excellent provenance, from the estate of James Thompson-Schwab of Kingfield House, Penton, Cumbria whose parents and grandparents were very early clients of Robert’s and commissioned a significant number of pieces, several of which we have been fortunate to acquire.

Size: 67.5(dia) x 57(h)cm

Sold

Stock ref: DS2834

1937

An excellent example of a Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson Oak kneehole desk or dressing table of rectangular form with a rear upstand and quarter sawn adzed top, central kneehole and three graduated drawers to each side. Adzed all over in line with early craftsmanship and a trademark mouse carved to the inside right canted corner, the drawers with early tooled ‘knobbly’ oak handles. Screw holes in the rear confirm it had a mirror fitted originally, sadly no longer available with it.

Sympathetically cleaned and re-waxed it presents with a superb warm rich aged colour and patina.

Privately sourced from the original owners family together with the accompanying stool, see DS2834. A photocopy of the original invoice is available for the new owner.

Size: 137(w) x54(d) x 73.5(h)cm

Sold

Stock ref: DS2802

Circa 1960s/70s

An excellent example of a solid oak magazine rack from the Kilburn workshops of Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson featuring sloping panelled sides for magazine storage and a pierced handle between two octagonally carved posts, standing on sledge feet. Signature mouse carved to the foot.

Excellent condition with rich medium fumed and aged waxed colour.

Size: 43(w) x 26.5(d) x 46(h)cm

Sold

Stock ref: DS2835

1937

An excellent patinated and coloured early Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson oak dressing stool with leather hide seat stretched over the four upper rails of the stool frame. Stands on four adzed octagonally carved legs joined by adzed stretchers. A signature mouse carved to the facet of one leg.

The seat hide is a more modern replacement but has been well executed. This is reflected in the price. The framework is solid with no loose pinned joints. Wonderful condition and colour.

Privately sourced from the original owners family together with the dressing table / desk, see DS2834. A photo copy of the original invoice is also available.

Size: 40(w) x 32.5(d) x 46(h)cm

Sold

Stock ref: DS2782

Circa 1983

A superb example of the extremely rare Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson solid oak mercury stick barometer. Of typical 18th century barometer design this piece is clearly stamped as number 5, close to the mouse carving on the top.

These mercury barometers were designed and made as a collaboration between horologist Robert Place and Robert Cartwright, then MD at Robert Thompson’s in the early 1980s. Robert Place regularly serviced and repaired Robert Cartwright’s personal clock and barometer collection. David knows Robert Place who advises that he made the brass plates and mercury tubes for an initial batch of 6. He recalls further plates were subsequently commissioned for another small batch but says they were later returned to Robert Thompson’s due to their concerns over rising production costs. Some may or may not have been later made up by Robert Thompson’s to customer special order as we are aware of what we think is either a number 4 or 14 ? being in existence, although Robert Place doesn’t know who would have made and filled the mercury tubes for any others.

The brass and mercury tube fittings have been carefully cleaned and serviced for us by Robert Place who was delighted to see one again after 40 years. The wooden surround has been cleaned and waxed by David.

Privately sourced from the original owners family.

Please note this item is a personal collection or delivery item, commercial carrier delivery is not possible due to the health and safety concerns over the transit of any items containing mercury.

Size: 11(w) x 7.5(d) x 91(h)cm

Sold

Stock ref: DS2890

Circa 1960s

An excellent opportunity to purchase a great value Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson dining set, comprising a 6′ dowel topped and adzed table and an 8 piece set of the popular lattice back dining chairs, including 2 carvers.

Privately purchased from the original owners, we’ve photographed and priced it in ‘as purchased’ condition but will be pleased to discuss various options to clean and refurbish the set to the buyers requirements.

Sold

Stock ref: DS2838

Circa 1960s

An excellent example of the  highly popular solid oak Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson Standard Lamp, the tapered adzed octagonally carved central column leading down to a stepped, swept and facetted octagonal base with  a mouse signature in high relief. 

Excellent medium fumed and aged waxed colour and patina, rewired  with new period braided 3 core wire.

Size: 31.5(dia) x 138(h)cm

Sold