Stock ref: DS2364

Circa 1930s

A stunning  and very rare design of solid oak Mantel Clock from the workshop of Robert Thompson, the Mouseman of Kilburn, North Yorkshire. We’ve only ever seen this design twice and we’ve purchased both of them. The oak surround is hand carved from a solid block of oak and features a symmetrical clock work design with adzing to visible surfaces and superbly carved mice climbing up the sides of the blocks.  It has recently been fitted with the superb high quality 1930s period clock movement it has always deserved, made by the renowned J.A.S. Ritchie & Son, Edinburgh. Sourced and fully stripped, cleaned and reassembled by our usual Horologist it is an 8 day movement of the highest 1930s quality, the square chromed frame perfectly suiting the size and symmetry of the oak surround.

Darker fumed from new it presents in superb condition and patina with no losses to the mice carvings.

Never previously on the market it has been privately sourced from the original owners direct decendants. By family repute it was made for them by the pre-war Robert Thompson’s craftsman Norman W Smith. Some further research ourselves has confirmed he did train and work at Thompson’s, leaving at the outbreak of war to enlist in the Army with the Royal Engineers. Sadly, he did not return home, he was killed in action in October 1942, in Egypt, aged 24. The war memorial at St Mary’s church in Kilburn bears his name, along with another craftsman who did not return home to pick up his chisels. These  two names are added to the lower section of the war memorial which also records those killed in WW1 and the Boer War. Also within the churchyard are two memorial stones placed next to each other for the two  Robert Thompson’s craftsmen who lost their lives in WW2. Images are enclosed in the gallery below.

Such pieces come along very rarely, it may well be kept as our own personal piece… we do have a place for it on our mantel shelf. However, we will also be pleased to consider suitable offers.

Size: 30.5(w) x 7(d) x 18.3(h)

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