Here I have for sale an early (1930s/1940s) Robert "Mouseman" Thompson dark fumed Yorkshire Oak fruit bowl. These earlier made fruit bowls have the mouse scurrying around the outside of the bowl, rather than inside the bowl. This was a change made from the mid-1960s. The later bowls are also larger and shallower than the earlier ones. This bowl measures 25cm across, quite a bit smaller than the later, more common bowls, which measure approx 30 cm across. Height of this one is approx. 7cm.

The bowl is in excellent condition with characterful patination, commensurate with its age and use. No cracks, splits, chips or other losses, either to the bowl or the signature mouse. The mouse is plump and well carved, scampering around the outside of the bowl.It has been carved from a single block of quarter sawn, seasoned oak in such a way as to expose and emphasise the medallary rays that radiate outwards from one section of the interior circumferance. The whole bowl is fully adzed and hand-tooled.

There are several dark patches of fruit acid staining, which may be expected from a bowl that has been used for decades for fruit. In my opinion these stains form part of the interior patination and create shadows which contrast beautifully with the highlights created by the radiating medullary rays, and add character and visual appeal to the inside of the bowl, something that can only be achieved through decades of use.

Do please look carefully at the photos to decide if you agree with me. If you are after an early fruit bowl that looks like it has never been used, this one may not be for you. I do not lighten fruit staining by any form of bleaching, I celebrate its effects. This bowl has had a light waxing with Gilboy's beeswax polish, a 100% natural product used by top restorers and conservators, to bring out its gorgeous dark fumed colour and to protect and nourish the wood.

Please view all the photographs for details. The photos also form a part of this listing's description.