Over the last few years Tennants Auctioneers have expanded their sales of Decorative Arts and 20th Century Design to meet the demands of the current market.

Diane Sinnott heads a busy department dealing with design from the late 19th century to the present day and as an increasing part of these fascinating sales Tennants always have a strong selection of Robert Thompson furniture from Kilburn.

“There is a very loyal following in Yorkshire for this fine quality, hand crafted oak furniture” says Nigel Smith of Tennants Harrogate Office “we have had some enormous prices recently with demand being particularly strong for the unusual early items”.

The world record price for a piece of Mouseman furniture is £46,000 achieved in the United States.  However Tennants in recent times have sold pieces in excess of £20,000.

Robert “Mouseman” Thompson was born in 1876 in Kilburn, North Yorkshire and served an engineering apprenticeship in Cleckheaton before returning to work in the family business at the age of 20.

The now familiar mouse appears as a trademark signature after 1920.  Between 1920 and 1930 the mouse was carved with front paws, however being prone to damage these were discontinued after 1930.

December 1st sees the next sale of Decorative Arts, to include Mouseman oak furniture with an unusual pair of bookends each carved with a triple mouse design expected to fetch £500 – £700, a good panelled tallboy is expected to fetch £700 - £1000 and a panelled wardrobe is estimated to fetch between £1200 and £1800.

Also to feature in the sale will be a selection of studio ceramics.  “One of my favourite studio potters” says Nigel Smith of the Harrogate Office, “is David Lloyd Jones, sadly no longer with us”.  He had a studio in York and produced well designed unpretentious pots.  Largely self taught he produced limited runs of domestic stoneware as well as impressive decorative large vases and chargers.  A small private collection of his work will be included in the December 1st sale.  “The five teapots illustrated carry a pre sale estimate of just £200 - £300, a potential bargain if ever I saw one!” says Nigel.

For details of this sale and future Decorative Arts Sales contact Diane Sinnott on 01969 623 780 or Nigel Smith on 01423 531 661.

A panelled tallboy

£700 - £1000

An unusual pair of bookends each carved with a triple mouse design

£500 – £700

The five teapots carry a pre sale

estimate of just £200 - £300