2009/25

Mouseman,

Robert Thompson (Maker)

An oak three-legged stool, made by Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson, of Kilburn, North Yorkshire. The carved mouse appears on the outer edge.
This is an oak three-legged 'Mouseman' stool, made by Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson, of Kilburn, North Yorkshire. The characteristic carved mouse appears on the outer edge of the kidney-shaped seat. The carved mouse began to appear on Thompson's pieces around 1919 and is said to have come about in response to a comment from one of his workers that he was 'as poor as a church mouse'.

three-legged stool; oak; good condition

MERL OLIB database note – 'Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson (1876-1955) lived and worked in Kilburn, North Yorkshire where he established an oak furniture making business. The distinctive carved mouse began to appear on his pieces around 1919 and is said to have come about in response to a comment from one of his workers that he was 'as poor as a church mouse'. Thompson commissions included screens, pews etc for churches, and chairs and tables for institutions ranging from Ampleforth College to Jersey Yacht Club.', MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Museum of English Rural Life) – 'Three-legged stool, oak, with kidney-shaped seat. // Trade mark Mouse set in relief on rim of seat. // Made by Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson (1876-1955) of Kilburn, North Yorks. // ... Purchased as part of the Collecting 20thc Rural Culture project. // References // 'Mouseman: The Legacy of Robert Thompson of Kilburn' by Patricia Lennon and David Joy.'

Kilburn [North Yorkshire]

1919

Thompson, Robert (Maker)