Christmas “Critters”.
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse… except in Chipping Norton that is!
Station Mill Antique Centre in Chipping Norton Oxfordshire is not the sort of place you would expect to encounter small “critters” hidden amongst the antiques and furniture.
However, on much closer inspection of Arts and Crafts Company stock of Yorkshire Oak furniture, young and old alike are surprised to find a Mouse, a Lizard, a Fox and even a Squirrel hiding amongst the Oak chair legs, cupboards and dressers, all drawing sounds of delight upon discovery.
Arts and Crafts Company specialise in vintage craftsman Yorkshire Oak furniture, each piece is hand crafted from English Oak and signed with the craftsmen’s own individual carved “critter”.
The grandfather of the “critters” was of course Robert “Mouseman” Thompson (1876 - 1955) of
Kilburn in North Yorkshire. His trademark carved mouse adorns fine English Oak furniture all over the world and in some of the finest ecclesiastical buildings in the country, including Westminster Abbey and York Minster. Much has been written about the “Mouseman” and his famous mouse has travelled far and wide, however, he also left behind a far reaching legacy of apprentices all of which served five years at the Kilburn workshops, some remaining for many more years with Mr Thompson before setting up independent workshops across North Yorkshire in England.
Arts and Crafts Company specialise in the hard to find limited output of the “Mouseman”
apprentices and other independent Yorkshire craftsmen, such as Malcolm “Foxman” Pipes, Peter “Rabbitman” Heap and Martin “Lizardman” Dutton, all former “Mouseman” apprentices and employees at the Kilburn workshops in North Yorkshire.
Also on show at Station Mill Antiques Centre are examples of Tom “Gnomeman” Whittaker’s
Yorkshire oak furniture, each piece carved with a small bearded Gnome. Legend has it that a Gnome is born every time an acorn sprouts, following which that gnome will then guard the Oak tree throughout its life, adding a further touch of magic to this wonderful English Oak furniture.
Experience the magic of this bygone age for yourself, visit Station Mill Antiques Centre,
Station Road, Chipping Norton, Oxon OX7 5HX. Telephone 01608 644563. Open 7 Days a week with ample parking and a Tearoom.
Or capture the magic of the “critters” Online @ www.arts-and-crafts-company.com
Arts and Crafts Company
Telephone 07917 111141
contact@arts-and-crafts-company.com
