Of Meissen men – and Mouseman too
BEAUTIFUL objects, ingenuity and artistry will always excel at auction. Nevertheless, sellers are often surprised by the impact of their object when revealed to a world of bidders.
Take lot 3185 in our September Antiques and Collectors Auction. A pair of Mouseman book-ends – brimming with carved mice – by Robert Thompson sold for 10 times their estimate.
These quirky wooden pieces, a carving/sculpture featuring mice scurrying, peeping and hiding, sold for £1,600 from a guide price of £120-£160.
Robert (Mouseman) Thompson (1876-1955), also known as ‘Mousey’ Thompson, was a furniture maker from Kilburn, North Yorkshire. He made oak furniture which featured a carved mouse on almost every piece.
It’s believed the mouse motif came about accidentally in 1919 following a conversation about “being as poor as a church mouse” between Thompson and a colleague. The chance remark led to him carving a mouse and this remained part of his work.
The books-ends are a perfect example of decorative art – practical objects raised to a level of distinction through artistic endeavour. You can’t help but admire them. Mouseman was part of the 1920s revival of craftsmanship, inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement led by William Morris, John Ruskin and Thomas Carlyle.
This Yorkshire carpenter/sculptor has an avid following, hence prices, particularly for the older pieces, have soared in recent years.
Talking of artistic endeavour, in the same sale lot 3130, an early 20th Century Chinese porcelain plaque, soared to £1,700. We expected it to do well. Chinese works of art and ornaments are always sought after.
Nevertheless, the hammer price was a giant leap from the modest £60£70 estimate.
It was drawn to my attention by Hansons’ cataloguer Adrian Kinton, a man with an eye for quality. The plaque, or cartouche, depicted several images upon an almost ethereal background. As Adrian pointed out, the artist’s signature in the top corner was clear evidence of pride in a job well done. A flurry of enquiries from Chinese buyers ensued and the item is returning to its homeland.
Results like these deliver a wonderful surprise for clients. But
they are far from unusual. So, if you have something gathering dust at home you no longer need, now could be the perfect time to turn it into cash in time for Christmas.
To offer you more inspiration, another item to do well in our September sale was a large, first quality Royal Crown Derby comport in its box. It made £1,450 from a £950-£1,000 guide price proving the enduring popularity of this Derbyshire porcelain manufacturer.
Porcelain is so sought after we hold regular connoisseur ceramics auctions. In our most recent sale, lot 96, two late 19th century
Meissen Allegorical Figures of Night and Day reached £1,950 from a £400-£500 estimate.
In similar form, lot 99, a late 19th century large Meissen figure ‘After the Bath’ made £1,800 and lot 101, a late 18th/early 19 century Meissen Group of Bacchus and attendants reached £500. This was despite the fact it had chips and the end of a sceptre was missing. Another Meissen item to make the sale’s top 10 was lot 94, an early 19th century figure group of Apple Pickers, £360.
Meissen produced the first European hard-paste porcelain. Manufacture began in the royal factory at Meissen, near Dresden, in 1710. Meissen attracted artists and artisans to establish, arguably, the most famous porcelain manufacturer in the world. Its signature logo – crossed swords – was introduced in 1720 to protect production. The swords mark is one of the oldest trademarks in existence.
All types of porcelain inspire collectors. For example, lot 126, a superb Minton secessionist jardiniere stand with tube-line panels decorated in colours, made £520.
Then there was lot 254, a set of framed late 19th century blue and white transfer-printed Wedgwood month tiles, circa 1880, which reached £420. Lot 45, a circa 1787 tin-glazed earthenware blue and white named and dated kettle stand made £400, and lot 44, a circa 1780 moulded creamware Greatbatch Whieldon cauliflower teapot and cover, reached £360.
Spode came to the fore in lot 206A, a circa 1820 blue and white transfer-printed Greek series large platter, £360. And lot 8, an impressive 20th century Waterford Crystal champagne bucket reached £320.
Whether centuries old or more recent, whether first quality or damaged, items from manufacturers or makers renowned for quality and design will generally always do well.
Entries are invited for Hansons’ autumn/winter Fine Art, Decorative Art, ceramics and general sales. To arrange a free ceramics valuation, email Dr Richard Halliday: rhalliday@hansonsauctioneers. co.uk For a free Fine Art/Decorative Art valuation email Isabel Murtough: imurtough@hansons auctioneers.co.uk For general advice, or to book a valuation appointment or home visit, email: service@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk or call 01283 733988.