The Mouseman oak blanket chest sold at Sheffield Auction Gallery for £12,000, showing the Robert Thompson mouse design carved in recess fashion.
Recessed mice are used particularly on larger pieces like wardrobes.
The mouse is determined by the piece of wood you are using/cutting back from; on a chair leg the mouse is thinner and smaller than a much larger table leg.
On that beautiful blanket box you would have wasted a lot of oak to have a protruding mouse – not cost effective.
Diane Sinnott
20th century design specialist and general valuer
Tennants Auctioneers, Leyburn, North Yorks
