How a church mouse started a woodworking dynasty

Seventy years after the death of craftsman Robert Thompson his furniture - renowned for its signature mouse motif - is still fetching thousands at auction.

But how did the famous trademark come into being and what is it about "Mouseman" pieces that continues attract admirers?

Born in 1876 Thompson, from Kilburn, North Yorkshire, was a self-taught craftsman, with a love of English oak.

He dedicated his career to working and shaping the wood into tables, chairs, bookends and bowls, inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement of the time.

Some stories suggest the little mouse figure he carved into each of the items came about following a comment about being "as poor as church mice".

But his great-great-grandson Simon Thompson Cartwright said it was a face-to-face encounter with a tiny rodent that sparked a dynasty.

"Robert was working with some of his craftsmen and a couple of apprentices in a mystery church," he said.

"They were busy fitting some rear panelling behind an altar on the back wall and the apprentice was on his hands and knees and this little mouse jumped out and it scared the living daylights out of him.

"They were teasing him about it through the day. This joke went on all week while they were completing the project and at the end of the week Robert climbed up into the rafters and carved a mouse in there for a bit of fun.

"From there that image of a little church mouse stuck in his head and word got around in the workshop and every now and then they were carving mice on to furniture."

Customers heard about the story and the brand's popularity grew, says Cartwright.

"It's a world renowned brand that's come from a genuine story. It wasn't created by a boardroom of directors throwing ideas around thinking 'what shall we put on our product' - there's a genuine story behind our trademark."

The trend took off and some of Thompson's apprentices developed similar signatures, such as Wilf "Squirrelman" Hutchinson and Albert "Eagleman" Jeffray.

On Friday, more than 100 items of handmade Yorkshire oak - more than 40 of which feature Thompson's little mice - went on sale.

Other pieces of Yorkshire oak in the auction included oak-leaf shaped dishes by Stan "Woodpeckerman" Dodds and carved napkin rings by Bob "Wrenman" Hunter.

Managing director Angus Ashworth said Mouseman collections could "easily" fetch £10,000.

He said: "People love it. Small things like a napkin ring, ash tray or a pin dish proportionately do a lot more money than a big piece, because people might not be able to house a chest of drawers but still want a mouse."

Mouseman work is popular not only because of the signature mouse but because it is hardy and appreciates in value, Mr Ashworth said.

"There are people who collect it and there's people who just want a bit. Some people do their whole houses in it," he said.

"Famously, chef Marco Pierre White has whole houses and restaurants done out in it," he said.

The auction house holds three to four country house sales a year, which usually include 40 to 60 pieces of Mouseman.

Mr Ashworth said it had sold pieces to buyers as far afield as California and Australia – but it also remains popular with local buyers.

In a previous auction, a rare Mouseman clock with two elephants sold for about £5,000.

Mr Ashworth said: "We've become well-known as one of the auction houses to sell at. We're in the area most of it originates from and buyers know we always have a nice selection."

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