`MOUSEMAN’ LOTS GET CHASED BY SOME KEEN CATS AT AUCTION

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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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