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FINE COLLECTION OF ‘MOUSEMAN’ WORK OFFERED AT AUCTION

An impressive collection of furniture and other pieces from the Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson workshop is to be auctioned early next month by Addisons of Barnard Castle.

Divided into fourteen separate lots, the items range from cheeseboards and tea trays to a dining suite and will be included in the next Fine Art and Antiques Catalogue Sale on Saturday 5^th December starting at 11am.

“The work of Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson has always been popular, particularly in this part of the country and we are lucky to have so many pieces from his workshop in this sale,” said David Elstob, Auctioneer and Valuer at Addisons. “The items represent the finest of British craftsmanship and span a broad time period from the 1920’s to the 1980’s.”

Some of the earliest examples to be auctioned are a rectangular oak tea tray (c1925) which is valued between £500 -700: an oak ashtray (c1930), with a price guide of £60-80; and an unusual oak horseshoe-form pin tray (c1930) valued between £200-300.

Larger pieces of furniture include a mid 20^th century pedestal desk, which carries an estimate of £3,500-4,500 and a 1960’s 7’ dining table with eight chairs, valued between £7,000-9,000. The table has a rectangular top raised on a trestle base and the chairs, each with lattice back panel, have tan leather seats.

Robert Thompson (1876-1955), who was part of the 1920’s revival of craftsmanship – inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement led by William Morris, John Ruskin and William Carlyle – set up his own furniture business in Kilburn, North Yorkshire.

His style became much sought after and was characterised by a carved mouse on almost every piece, thought to have come about following a conversation about “being as poor as a church mouse” with one of his colleagues. The now famous trademark is still used today in the workshop which is run by his descendants.

The entire collection can be viewed in the latest Fine Art and Antiques Sale catalogue, which can be found on www.addisons-auctioneers.co.uk Viewing will be held on Thursday 3 December 9.30am - 7pm; Friday 4 December 9.30am - 4.30pm; and on sale day between 8.00am - 10.45am. Bids on the day can be made in person, via the telephone or online.

Addisons currently hold four Fine Art and Antiques Catalogue auctions a year from its base in Barnard Castle in County Durham, together with sixteen Antiques and Interiors sales and a specialist Garden sale. For more information on these events, please contact Addisons on 01833 690545 or visit www.addisons-auctioneers.co.uk

RARE EQUESTRIAN SCULPTURE AND EDWARD SPENCER CONDIMENT SET FETCH GOOD PRICES AT AUCTION

A rare 17^th century equestrian sculpture and an Edward Spencer condiment set were just two items to reach notable prices in the Addison’s of Barnard Castle Fine Art and Antiques Catalogue Sale held on Saturday 5^th September.

Lot 161, a bronze model of a rearing horse from the renowned circle of the Italian-born Francesco Fanelli (personal sculptor to King Charles I of England in 1635), sold for £5,000. The piece – originally valued between £5,000 to £7,000 – is 13.5cm high and mounted on a wooden plinth.

David Elstob, valuer and auctioneer at Addisons, was particularly pleased with the result achieved by this item. “This rare and valuable piece attracted a great deal of interest on the day and the buyer was able to obtain work of the highest quality from this period.”

Lot 1 which sold for £2,300

Also reaching an excellent price was lot 1 – a large silver-mounted fruitwood condiment set by Edward Spencer (1872-1938) for the Artificers Guild, which sold for £2,300, way above its estimate of £200-300.

The set comprised three open salts (1928); a pair of mustards (1926 and 1927); three pepperettes (one 1927, the other two with makers mark only); a spice bowl (1927); and three spoons. All pieces – of faceted footed form with silver-mounts cast with ropework – had a London town mark and the vast majority had a designer’s mark.

Another item attracting interest was an oil painting ‘Corn Stooks by the Conway’ by Charles France (Exh 1887-1892). Signed lower left and inscribed to old paper label verso, this oil on canvas measured 60cm by 79cm and was presented in an impressive gilt-composition frame. It sold on the day for £1650, within its guide price range of £1200-1800.

Charles France's "Corn Stooks by the Conway" which realised £1,650.