Featured Robert Thompson Mouseman Fire Screen - Advice Needed

A friend is looking for some advice on where to sell an Arts and Crafts, Robert Thompson Mouseman Fire Screen. They bought a place in the desert without a fireplace. They thought an antique dealer was interested with an estimated value of £500 -£600, but when they went to show him, his shop was boarded up.
From the pricing, I gather the market is in England, but they are here in Southern California. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to approach finding the right buyer? I did some research about their other question - pricing, and all I could was a sold price of £400. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Sweet.

 

Apparently, he made all kinds of furniture and other wood objects with a mouse on them. I had no idea.

 

Ive heard of him since his furniture and Knick knacks have appeared at least a few times on the UK Antiques Roadshow, and there certainly are many collectors over there. The only liveauctioneer sale for a fire screen in the US I saw was a recent one for $100 in New Jersey, so not so much here. Don’t know if eBay listing could find someone willing to pay the shipping overseas? Or if lucky find a US based Anglophile?

 

Gorgeous, I love Mouseman items.

This thread has more info on him, including my explanation why he carved a mouse, specifically:

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/w...nds-mouseman-bookends-and-another-item.62774/

 

So cute!

 

That is adorable.

 

Excellent information. Thank you so much. I will forward your post to her. Based on what you are saying, I think she should focus on the Arts and Crafts angle, as this is popular here.

 

Surprised that one in NJ only brought $100.00. This should be a desirable item to arts and crafts enthusiasts. Would think Rago or one of the other A&C specialist auctions would be interested but fees would limit return and risk of flopping. Would be tempted to list this on ebay for a high amount ($1000 ?) or best offer.

 

Well if you love them, there is not more to be said.

 

Perfect. This is the kind of alternative I want to give her. Perhaps, she knows someone with an ebay account. Thanks so much for sharing your insights.

 

http://www.robertthompsons.co.uk/_shop/classic-items/cm42-classic-mouseman-firescreen/
From the Robert Thomson site in the UK, they had a fire screen for sale but alas, SOLD!
You might email with an inquiry.

 

Great. Thanks for checking this out. It came from her mother, so I think she is looking to send it to someone who will appreciate it.

 

The good news is, you appear to have an authentic mouseman piece, they are faking his stuff now.

 

Sad state of affairs, I agree. Thanks for confirming authenticity.

 

Yes, check this thread out, it's old from last summer but has a FAKE mouseman bookend.
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/w...nds-mouseman-bookends-and-another-item.62774/

 

Well, I am kinda the wrong fella to ask about that as it is not in my area of interest but, to my untrained eye, yours looks legit!
You might inquire from the Thomson site about that, also, what did they sell theirs for? They are getting some pretty heavy prices for their furniture I notice.

 

There is a pub near us called the Green Dragon. Most of the furniture and bar etc was designed by The Mouseman and his mice are everywhere!
He also made the Lych style gates out of the car park. This is the best photo I can find taken from Google Earth, you can just see the mouse on the top of the RH gate! Next time I go past I’ll take a better photo.

 

https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHarper2020

This guy is a BBC presenter and antiques dude. And he knows from Mouseman pieces. If he doesn't know about the fire screen I'd bet he knows someone who does.