On the 15th June last year, we travelled down to the delightful town of Ilkley in West Yorkshire and purchased this sideboard. Measuring at a whopping 91 inches in length, the fully adzed burr oak sideboard was made by Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson in the early 1930’s.
While, the hammer eventually fell at £20,000 for the item (breaking a then UK record in the process), even the slightest glance towards the sideboard can leave you speechless. We find it fascinating that craftsman can make such impressive items!
Therefore, rare pieces like this sideboard showcase why we at Ingnet are so passionate towards the work of Yorkshire Oak craftsman Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson.
We’d be lying if we said John doesn’t enjoy a good walk and this week, John & Paul came across another lovely church!
Along the South bank of the River Tees, Wycliffe & more importantly for us – Wycliffe Church. Some say there aren’t many places more peaceful and beautiful than The Hamlet of Wycliffe.
Evidence suggests that a church existed here in earlier times, unfortunately no traces remain prior to the present church which was built sometime in the 13th century. Appearance suggests that it was built sometime between 1250 – 1260 and the rear flat room may have replaced the original high pitched one during the 15th century.
Partially restored in 1850 by The Rector, The Revd J Erskine – Rector appealed for funds for a substantial restoration. The present floor was laid in 1892. Although the church is around 800 years old, its content represent the craftsman of 13 centuries – we’re mainly interested in the 20th Century.
Accompanying the work of craftsmen dating back to the 7th Century, you’ll unsurprisingly find the work of Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson.
The relationship between Wycliffe church & Robert Thompson began in 1949. Originally supplying the Choir stalls and pews in 1949 Mouseman left his mark in the church. The Rectors’ Board was erected in 1997, again made by the Mouseman.
Wycliffe Church is only 5 miles from our Barnard Castle showroom & just over 50 miles from Kilburn, North Yorkshire.
In today’s post, we like to give special mention to Ron Cowen of York, the kind benefactor of a lovely Mouseman Bench to Darlington Railway station.
Mr Cowen who’s son served with the Yorkshire Regiment 1st Battalion at Catterick Garrison had the piece commissioned by Robert Mouseman Thompsons Craftsmen Ltd from Kilburn, North Yorkshire.
The bench now takes pride of place at Darlington railway station on platform 1 and is the perfect place for our travelling troops to await their trains.
We love finding pieces of Mouseman history around the Barnard Castle area. If you know of any, or indeed amazing pieces from other craftsman – please get in touch! We’re always keen to learn about the history of these great craftsmen!
Douglas Pittuck was born in Plumstead, London and educated at Wallington Grammar School where he was taught art by Tom Nash, a friend of Stanley Spencer.
Whilst employed at New College Oxford, he was allowed time to attend art classes at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art in the 1930’s. After the war he returned to the Ruskin full time with the aid of an ex-serviceman’s grant and studied under luminaries such as Eric Ravilious.
He began a 25 year career as an art teacher at Barnard Castle School in 1948. He remained an active artist and was one of the “Four Teesside Painters” formed in 1951.
DOUGLAS FREDERICK PITTUCK OIL – MARKET CROSS, BARNARD CASTLE
A top regional line-up: The Addisons team standing from left to right are: Simon Nixon (Auctioneer), William McNab (Auctioneer), Paul Jones (Head Porter) and Paul Ing (Consultant) and seated left to right are: Marella Darvill (Office Manager), Richard Edwards (Consultant) and Henrietta Graham (Consultant). Also pictured is Dede, the 8-year-old Jackadoodle who specialises in human canine relations.
In recent years, our regular customers will have noticed that we have been adding more and more specialist events to our auction calendar, including the popular Vintage Fashion and Furniture, Garden and Sporting sales. Specialist sections have also been introduced to the fortnightly Antiques and Interiors sales in order to showcase rising numbers of themed items such as high-quality jewellery, vintage clothing and militaria.
To accommodate this trend, we have decided to introduce a more consultant-led approach to our services that not only encourages existing staff to further develop specific areas of expertise but also uses more of our specialist contacts. This will give clients increased access to some of the top antiques experts in the region whilst at the same time continuing to provide the efficient and personal service for which the saleroom has become known.
Richard Edwards, who was previously a specialist with Sotheby’s and Doyle New York before moving to Addisons in 2003, will be taking on a consultancy role within the business with particular responsibility for the quarterly Fine Art and Antiques Catalogue sales. These sales have a reputation for showcasing an extensive range of high-quality items and attract strong global audiences.
Auctioneer William McNab will concentrate on the fortnightly general sales that regularly attract up to 800-900 lots, assisted by Marella Darvill who will also continue to develop the Vintage auctions. Simon Nixon will focus on growing the sporting sales, which cover shooting, fishing and other country sports.
Henrietta Graham one of the North’s leading antiques and fine arts experts who has previously worked for both Sotheby’s and Bonhams will carry on with her existing role in the business sourcing and cataloguing a wide range of lots and representing Addisons at specialist valuation days. Paul Ing, a well-known specialist in Arts & Crafts furniture and decorative arts, including Yorkshire oak by craftsmen such as Robert `Mouseman` Thompson, will provide expertise for all sales in this popular area.
Found in the back of a store room in the 17th century Old Well Inn in Barnard Castle was a dilapidated oak chair bearing an inscription and plaque carved in high relief was a lizard type signature.
The chair was immediately shown to us – well we’re in there most days!
We were pleased to be able to identify the piece as a work by Derek Lizardman Slater who trained with Grainger at Acorn Industries in North Yorkshire.
It was impossible for us to pass by an opportunity to restore an historic piece of furniture and with help from our upholsterers the chair has now been refurbished to its full glory and has been returned to the Round Table for display.
Derek Lizardman Slater, who as mentioned trained with Alan Acornman Grainger was a fabulous crafts man. You can see below the detail of his Lizardman signature. He originally carved a fish as his trade mark but later changed to his signature lizard.
If you have any pieces that you would like identifying we would love to hear from you please send us over some pictures and any information you have via our ‘Sell an item to us’ page. We look forward to seeing your pieces!
UPDATE 02/2023 – All Chailloux pieces have sold and Charlie is sad again! French artist Chailloux is considered to be… Read more: Robert Chailloux (1913-2006)
