The Mouseman's Mouse by suzanne234

The Mouseman's Mouse

Robert (Mouseman) Thompson (7 May 1876 – 8 December 1955) was 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 one of his colleagues during the carving of a cornice for a screen. This chance remark led to him carving a mouse and this remained part of his work from this point onwards.
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.
The workshop, now being run by his descendants, includes a showroom and visitors' centre, and is located beside the Parish Church, which contains "Mouseman" pews, fittings and other furniture. The company is now known as "Robert Thompson's Craftsmen Ltd - The Mouseman of Kilburn."
Best on black if you have the time
Lovely image!
Funny enough, recently my partner (trained as a cabinetmaker) told me about this and showed me some images of his work.
December 14th, 2017  
I have heard of him, I think it’s a great addition to a piece of furniture.
December 14th, 2017  
I haven't heard of him but I do love timber work.
December 14th, 2017  
Great shot of this beautiful woodcrafting .
( thank for the interesting info)
December 14th, 2017  
Love this!
December 14th, 2017  
thank you for sharing this interesting story and the photo
December 14th, 2017  
Thanks to you I've learned something else from 365!
December 15th, 2017  
Cool
December 15th, 2017  
Nice...
December 15th, 2017  
Wonderful story to go with your great image.
December 15th, 2017  
Lovely image and good to read the background.
December 15th, 2017  
Wonderfully focused with beautiful light.
December 15th, 2017  
Lovely lighting.
December 15th, 2017  
Master woodworker, great shot...Fav
December 15th, 2017  
Wonderful shot and light. Interesting history too.
December 15th, 2017  
Excellent image and very interesting background information! :-)
December 15th, 2017  
Beautiful rich timber
December 15th, 2017  
Great info and Nicely shot ;-))
December 15th, 2017  
Such an interesting story, thank you for sharing Suzanne :)
December 15th, 2017  
Precious trademark. Not many craftmen today; everything is made by machinery. Pity isn't it?
December 15th, 2017  
Lovely shot and a beautiful piece of work.
December 15th, 2017  
Wonderful, brings back so many memories of the church in Stokesley where there were several of these mice carved in the internal woodwork.
December 15th, 2017  
A lovely piece of wood carving
December 15th, 2017  
Well find and shot.
December 15th, 2017  
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