It was a packed saleroom that saw the hammer fall at some very high prices for the impressive collection of Robert “Mouseman” Thompson furniture and accessories at Tennants Decorative Arts Sale on Saturday, 20th May 2006.

There were also a large number of telephone bidders for these most popular and collectable items.  All ”Mouseman” furniture has the carved mouse signature of the makers, Robert Thompson of Kilburn.

A most desirable carved figure of an Oak Owl holding a mouse in its talon on a rockwork base (post 1945) sold for £1,300 (estimate (£700-£1,000).  This was considerably more than similar “Mouseman” pieces sold recently at sale rooms in other parts of the UK, which shows the considerable and increasing local Yorkshire interest in “Mouseman” furniture.

The highest price was paid for a specially commissioned post 1945 Oak Chest of Drawers which went for £4,800 (estimate £800-£1,200).  A 1920’2/1930’s Oak Monks Chair sold for £2,300 (estimate £600-£800) and a pre-1945 Oak Standard Lamp went for £900 (estimate £700-£1,000). 

Diane Sinnott, Head of Decorative Arts for Tennants Auctioneers said “This sale was a great success and saw some incredibly high prices being made for this local “Mouseman” furniture.  It is such pleasing furniture, being strong yet simple in design and practical in size for most people’s homes.  Add that to the fact that it is very collectable and it is no wonder it sold so well.”

Robert Thomson was known as “The Mouseman”, and he worked in the village of Kilburn, North Yorkshire under the White Horse, producing a wide range of Arts and Crafts English Oak furniture in the early 20th century.  Through a dedicated team of craftsmen his work continues to this day and every piece is recognizable by the little carved mouse which adorns it

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"Mouseman" Oak Owl. Sold for £1300