There were lots made in America, Germany, France, China and India but it took a tiny carved wooden Yorkshire mouse to command some of the biggest prices in Lawrences’ recent Decorative Arts auction.
Nine lots of highly distinctive furniture by Robert `Mouseman` Thompson of Kilburn in Yorkshire attracted keen bids and, unusually, there were larger items on offer instead of the more commonly found ashtrays and cheeseboards.
All pieces are carved with an integral wood `mouse` signature: two stools made £210 and £310 but scarcer items such as bookcases (£3230 for two), a smoking chair (£1520) and a headboard for a bed (£200) were eclipsed by a reading chair with book rest (£4880) and two wardrobes (£10,600 for the two).
In addition, a rare `Aquarium` lighter by Dunhill made ten times expectations at £5490 and 27 items of tangerine coloured Whitefriars glass from a private collection realised £3020. A Tiffany Favrile floriform glass vase blossomed to £3050.
Top prices within European ceramics and glass included £730 for a Worcester bowl c.1755 with floral decoration, £8290 for a 24-piece Meissen part tea service and £1280 for a Baccarat paperweight from 1848.
Strong prices for Oriental wares included £4390 for a pair of Chinese famille rose cases and covers and £1460 for a fine Pahari (Indian) school watercolour of `Parvati riding Nandi`, c.1820, that attracted bids from collectors in India.
