2nd Mar, 2024 9:30 GMT/BST
20th Century Design
158
Robert Mouseman Thompson (1876-1955): An English Oak Panelled Partners' Desk, circa 1932, dowelled two plank top with carved mouse tails to each corner, plinth base, above two sets of three graduating drawers with tooled knob handles and two cupboards each with an adjustable shelf, butterfly hinges and straight head screws, with recessed carved mouse trademark,
152cm wide (5ft) 84cm deep, 72.5cm high
The desk and chair were gifted by the American Paul Herrick Kelly (7th June 1881-19th December 1964) to his eldest son Captain Philip Paul Kelly (9th April 1906-18th March 1943) on the occasion of his marriage to Mary Haselwood Porter (18th June 1908-2001) on the 9th April 1932, Edmonton.
They had one son together, Michael P Kelly (2nd June 1934-2008).
In the 1939 register they are living at 50 Park View Road, Ealing.
Captain Philip Paul Kelly attended Ampleforth college 1919-1923.
He was mentioned in despatches, he was in the 2nd Bn Durham Light Infantry (50242) and died in Myanmar, buried at Tankkyan War cemetery, Myanmar.
Sold for £6,000
Estimated at £5,000 - £7,000
The top has ring/water/splash marks, surface wear, natural grain split and gap in the two planks. Missing one shelf clip in cupboard. Missing some fixing blocks under the top centre section. There is later ply behind the drawers, probably to stop them going to far in. Bottom right drawer has teeth marks! probably a dog. Wear consistant with age and being used.
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Auction: 20th Century Design, 2nd Mar, 2024
A selection of good, early pieces of Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson furniture will be coming up in the 20th Century Design Sale on 2nd March, including a circa 1929 Monk's Chair from Ampleforth Abbey, two circa 1930s Monk's Chairs from the Horlicks family, and a circa 1930s Partner's Desk. These will be joined by a strong offering of modern Mouseman. A further good example of Arts and Crafts furniture comes in the form of a very finely made Cotswold School Dressing Mirror.
Amongst the ceramics in the sale will be the Dr John C. Yule Collection of Linthorpe and Middlesbrough Pottery, a Private Collection of Dennis Chinaworks Pottery, a good example of Pilkington's Royal Lancastrian, and a Private Collection of Studio Pottery including pots by Richard Batterham.
Viewing
Thursday 29th February - Friday 1st March 10am-4pm, and the morning of the sale from 8am
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