RARE pieces of Mouseman furniture are to be auctioned.

Craftsman Robert Thompson first began identifying his furniture with a trademark carved mouse in the early 1900s.

The tradition of the furniture-maker from Kilburn, North Yorkshire, has been kept alive by his great- grandsons.

Tennants Auctioneers, in Leyburn, will hold its largest sale of Mouseman furniture on Saturday.

The collection will feature rare pieces which are, unusually, not made of oak.

One piece is a wooden tray made of walnut, which was taken from a fallen tree in about 1930 and carved by Fred Suffield as a wedding present.

Two more unusual pieces are lamp shades in the form of oak leaves. Some of the most collectable pieces date back to the 1920s and 1930s. They include a monk's chair, stools, candlesticks, standard lamp and the largest piece, a hall stand, which is expected to fetch between £1,500 and £2,000.

Viewing for the arts sale is from 9am to 7pm on Friday, and from 8.30am to 11.30am on Saturday.

The sale starts at noon on Saturday.

Published: 17/05/2006