A wonderful solid oak refectory style 3′ occasional /coffee table from the ex mouseman craftsman Robert (Bob) ‘Wrenman’ Hunter of Thirlby near Thirsk. Aged 91 and still working, 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 baluster carved legs and sledge feet, joined by a low set stretcher. Bob’s signature wren is carved in low relief to one leg.
Privately sourced from the original owners family.
Wonderful original unrestored condition and colour, just feint traces of light scratches in one small area of the top, shown in the image gallery enclosed.
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 joined by high set stretchers Correct and early brass ‘Handicrafts’ label to the underside with the registration number 695391 and job number 7816 stamped into the wood, dating the piece to circa 1900.
Presents in excellent solid condition, the wood displaying a lovely rich aged and waxed patina. Unusually, the leather looks to be original and with no tears, the only fault being a lost dome top to one of the upholstery pins. The leg joints are tight, just the expected minor scuffs, edge nicks and a darker stain on the top of one leg from usage over the years.
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.
A superb nest of three solid oak tables by the ex ‘Mouseman’ craftsman Albert ‘Eagleman’ Jeffray of Sessay near Thirsk. The largest table of rectangular form top with carved and shaped trestle legs joined by a rear stretcher. The two smaller tables of equal size sit under the larger table, these with square tops and shaped trestle legs joined by a stretcher. All three fully adzed all over , each with Albert’s incised eagle signature.
Superb condition and colour.
Sizes: 76(w) x 33(d) x 46(h) lge, 30(w) x 29(d) x 42.5(h)cm sml.
A sought after 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 ocean green colour cow hide seat secured with antiqued brass upholstery studding and original fire safety compliance label to the underside dated 9/2/2011
Presented in superb condition free from any staining or damage in a rich medium fumed colour.
A superb matched set of 6 Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson solid oak and leather hide seated dining chairs, comprising 4 dining and 2 of the larger armchairs / carvers. This is the classic and most popular set size and chair configuration. Matching signature mice carved to each chair leg.
Superb condition and colour to the frames and original red leather hide seats. The fire safety labels dated 23/9/03.
This set would cost £ 8,020 to purchase new today with a considerable 12 -18 month lead time.
An excellent solid oak Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson fruitbowl. Adzed and tooled in the expected manner with a good signature mouse carved centrally in the bowl.
Excellent condition with a wonderful golden oak fumed and waxed finish which highlights the distinctive medullary ray graining of the oak.
An excellent and unique solid oak relief carved and tooled plaque / picture of a Whitley bomber in flight by Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson. Features the rare line incised mouse carving to the rear. Enclosed with an email from Robert Thompson’s Craftsmen Ltd confirming it is a genuine Robert Thompson’s made piece.
By repute, commissioned by a Canadian air force squadron flying the Whitley bomber with the RAF in the early 1940s during WW2 and given to the previous owners father by the squadron when they disbanded and returned home to Canada at the end of the war in 1945.
The Armstrong Whitworth AW38 Whitley was a twin engined British medium bomber, designed in 1934 and in service with the RAF at the outbreak of war in 1939. The aircraft played a large part in bombing missions over Germany early in the war before it was superceeded in 1942 by the now more famous four engined heavy bomber, the Avro Lancaster.
A superb bespoke made burr / pippy oak 2′ x 5’6″ long mirror. Bevel edged glass and bevelled frame, mitre jointed into the corners. Four fixing brackets to the rear.
Sourced directly from the original owner who advises the mirror was locally made for them in Helmsley by a craftsman carpenter.
Superb condition and colour.
Apologies for the scruffy workshop clothing David is wearing in the images below… but restoring and refinishing furniture can get very messy at times and Paula, his wife, got fed up years ago of trying to remove various solvents, strippers, sawdust, wire wool and wax from his Sunday best !
A superb bespoke commissioned solid oak glazed display cabinet by the ex mouseman craftsman Gavin ‘Lilyman’ Kirkbride. 4’11 / 150cm wide it splits into two sections, upper and lower to assist carriage. The upper section features four tempered glass glazed doors with coloured brass handles, opening to reveal four removable shelves. Oak panelled sides and back with Gavin’s signature arum lily carved in relief to one leading side edge. Below is a sideboard with adzed top, two drawers and four doors which open to reveal an inner fixed shelf. Oak panelled sides and back.
Superb condition, unfumed natural oak, finished in a modern clear polyx wax oil to give stain and heat resistance. This finish is suitable for over waxing.
Purchased from the original Helmsley owner. Gavin advises it would cost £ 5k-6k to make new today.
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 13 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.
Excellent solid oak occasional / side / lamp table by the ex mouseman craftsman Gavin ‘Lilyman’ Kirkbride. Rectangular form with subtly adzed top, supported on four shaped and carved legs supported by stretchers. Gavin’s signature arum lily carved in relief to one leg.
Excellent condition, unfumed natural oak, finished in a modern clear polyx wax oil to give stain and heat resistance. This finish is suitable for over waxing.
It’s the second of a matched pair that we have purchased from the original Helmsley owner. They are priced individually but we will be pleased to agree a price for the pair.
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 13 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.
Excellent solid oak occasional / side / lamp table by the ex mouseman craftsman Gavin ‘Lilyman’ Kirkbride. Rectangular form with subtly adzed top, supported on four shaped and carved legs supported by stretchers. Gavin’s signature arum lily carved in relief to one leg.
Excellent condition, unfumed natural oak, finished in a modern clear polyx wax oil to give stain and heat resistance. This finish is suitable for over waxing.
It’s one of a matched pair that we have purchased from the original Helmsley owner. They are priced individually but will be pleased to agree a price for the pair.
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 13 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.
A wonderfully patinated and darker fumed early Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson solid oak 4’6″ refectory style desk, dining or side table. Of typical form with a twin plank subtly adzed top and underside, supported on two octagonally carved baluster legs and swept feet, joined by a floor set stretcher with the early rounded edges. Signature mouse to one baluster leg.
Excellent usable condition, we’ve just had all the leg joints dismantled, re-glued and re-pinned by our good friend and ex Mouseman craftsman Gavin ‘Lilyman’ Kirkbride at Lily Furniture. Darker fumed from new it presents with a rich depth of patina and colour following a clean and re-wax in our workshop. The top has had a protective polyurethane finish applied in the past with wax over to give better resistance to heat and liquid staining.
Excellent provenance, commissioned in 1936 by Wakefield Girls High School, together with other pieces, reputedly for use as a desk in their library. Fuller details will be recorded in R. Thompson’s ledgers and are summarised on page 155 of the book Mouseman: The Legacy of Robert Thompson of Kilburn. Most recently it formed part of Marco Pierre White’s extensive Mouseman collection at The Rudloe Arms Hotel, Corsham, from whom we purchased two of these 4’6″ tables as a part exchange against other pieces he purchased from us.
The second example is not yet on sale so please contact us directly if potentially interested in both.
