A VINTAGE "MOUSEMAN" APPRENTICE BOB "WRENMAN" HUNTER - WREN ON A LOG NAPKIN RING
£155.00
For sale is a beautifully made napkin ring by ex-"Mouseman" trained craftsman, Bob "Wrenman" Hunter.
This napkin ring is skillfully carved in the shape of a hollow log and features Hunter's signature wren perched on the top. A highly detailed piece, achieved by fully hand-tooling and adzing throughout, even under the log.
This vintage oak napkin ring is in excellent original condition with no damage. Medium fumed. Hand tooled and adzed throughout.
Please view all the photographs for condition detail as these also form a part of this item's listing description.
Typical of Bob Hunter's work, the finely carved signature wren is nice and plump and sharply observed. Even the underneath of the log is fully hand tooled and adzed. Such is the attention to detail and craftsmanship, that, to prevent the napkin ring from rolling over, Hunter has carved a pair of stumps to each log to balance them safely on the dining table.
Dimensions are L5cm x W5cm approx. The height, including the wren, is 6.5cm approx.
Bob Hunter is a gifted wood carver, one of the "Mouseman" trained craftsmen who left the company in the 1960s and 1970s to set up their own workshop and apply their skills to creating pieces in their own individual styles. They are known as the "Yorkshire Critters."
He founded Wren Cabinet Makers in outbuildings next to his home in the Yorkshire village of Thirlby and I understand he is still working in his 90s. I believe he is the the last living Mouseman trained craftsman to have been apprenticed to Robert Thompson himself. His fine carving and attention to detail, along with his unique designs, make his work instantly recognisable. In the 1980s he adopted his signature motif of the wren after watching a pair of wrens building their nest in his workshop.
To nourish and preserve the oak, this napkin ring has been lightly waxed using Gilboy's polish, which is a 100% natural product used by top restorers and conservators.
All in all, here is an exquisitely made, highly collectable example of Wrenman's work. The Wrenman napkin ring rarely comes onto the market and will grace any "Mouseman" interest collection.
It will be safely and securely packaged for tracked and fully insured shipping by Royal Mail.
Please view all the photos carefully for condition details