Description
Circa 1960s. Impressive large handmade Yorkshire “critter” Foxman (Don Craven, Oldstead, Thirsk- ex Robt Thompson)_ hexagonal oak dining table. The 4.5cm thick, solid hexagonal top in a lovely, figured oak and with adzed finish with good colour and patina, supported on a cruciform plinth with the signature carved fox, over shaped plinth bases. Lovely original colour and patina. Comfortable seats 8.
135cm Dia. 4cm thick top, 74cm Tall
The full fox carving shows this table was made by Don Craven, Oldstead, Thirsk (who trained with Robt Thompson). Malcom “Benny” Pipes was also known as Foxman, but he used low-relief fox head carvings as a signature
The Yorkshire Critter Carvers comprise of over 40 craftsmen, working from the 1940s to the present day, who made oak furniture inspired by Robert “Mouseman” Thompson of Kilburn Yorkshire. Many of these Critter Carvers actually trained in Thompson’s Kilburn workshop before setting up their own craft shops. Using the same oak material, traditional hand tools and traditional; techniques (especially adzed surfaces) as Mouseman Thompson, each craftsman created a signature carved ‘critter’ such as an animal (woodpecker, squirrel or beaver, i.e. Woodpeckerman, Squirrelman or Beaverman), acorn or human icon (e.g. Knight or Viking) to decorate and act as a signature and identify their oak pieces. The historical significance of Mouseman Thompson’s designs and style, the fine craftmanship, functional nature and beauty of Yorkshire Critter Carver’s oak furniture is enduring and is reflected in the continued demand and robust prices for these items
