Here for your consideration is a beautiful, hand carved, Robert Mouseman Thompson, three tier/shelf letter rack in a mid fume oak finish. It's one of the nicest coloured pieces of Mouseman we've seen with a really lovely cream, tan, and brown marbling effect, running through the oak.
The letter rack is in superb condition with no nicks, scratches, chips or splits, probably because it looks as though it's never been used (You can even see the mouse's whiskers) really exquisite workmanship.
Robert (Mouseman) Thompson (1876–1955) ....
A British furniture maker. He lived in Kilburn North Yorkshire, where he set up a business manufacturing oak furniture, which featured a carved mouse on almost every piece. It is claimed that the mouse motif came about accidentally in 1919 following a conversation about "being as poor as a church mouse", which took place between Thompson and a friend, during the carving of a cornice for a screen. This chance remark led to him carving a mouse, for the cornice.
From that moment, a famous trademark was born - even though it wasn't registered until the 1930's. Originally the early mice had front feet carved, but they were removed, because they tended to get damaged very easily.
Robert Thompson, “The Mouseman of Kilburn”, recognised the relationship we have with wood and chose to work with only the best quality naturally seasoned English oak (quercus robur). The oak tree takes several hundred years to reach maturity and nature’s influence during that time will create variations in colour and texture, which only adds to the character. Over the years the patina will develop with waxing and polishing. Robert Thompson loved this relationship between nature and creativity, developing his skills to produce the very finest craftsmanship in English oak.
He was part of the 1920s revival of craftsmanship, inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement led by William Morris, John Ruskin and Thomas Carlyle. More specific to furniture making in this genre and era include Stanley Webb Davies of Windermere.
Probably some of the most famous Robert Thompson furniture was made for Ampleforth Abbey and college; they liked it so much that Ampleforth kept asking Thompson for more works, including the library and most of the main building, also most of Ampleforth College houses are decorated with Robert Thompson's furniture.
Dimensions as follows ...
Height: 8 inches or 20.4 cm (highest point)
Length: 13 inches or 33 cm
Depth: 5 inches or 12.7 cm
Weight: 3lb 13 oz or 1.7 kg
These stunning Mouseman letter racks are becoming desirable/collectable and are only going to appreciate in value. Today’s investment will become tomorrow’s heirloom.
A very highly collectable Mouseman letter rack that would make a superb gift.
It will be carefully packaged and posted, recorded, special delivery with insurance.
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