Robert Thompson Mouseman Hand Carved Oak Ashtray

Early Robert Thompson Mouseman Hand Carved Oak Ashtray

This Ashtray is fully hand carved and hence considered an early example. In the 1930s the mouse has quite a narrow neck, but the ears were prone to being knocked off, so later designs feature a slightly chubbier mouse with a broader neck and flatter ears.

Condition - excellent condition, fortunately the ashtray has been kept well away from smokers.

Robert Thompson was born and raised in Kilburn, a pretty village in the Yorkshire Dales, Robert Thompson (1876-1955) was the son of the village’s carpenter and stonemason. He taught himself to use traditional tools. He has items on display all around the world (including candle sticks on each side of the alter in Westminster Abbey).

Robert Thompson began making furniture during the Arts & Crafts era (1880s-1930s), inspired by the English styles of the 17th century. He rejected modern machinery in favour of ancient tools and techniques.

The idea for the mouse carvings came about when Thompson had a commission to repair a church and was carving a huge cornice for a screen. He was chatting to his apprentices and one of them commented that they were ‘as poor as church mice’. While they were eating lunch, Thompson decided to carve a mouse onto the screen and that sowed the seed for using it as a trademark for his future wares.

Approximate Measurements

Width 10 cm ( 4 inches)
Depth 7.5 cm ( 3 inches)
Height 2 cm ( 3/4 inch)
Weight .094kg