English Arts & Crafts Bronze Seal, Cat & Mouse Motif, circa 1900–1930

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English Arts & Crafts Bronze Seal, Cat & Mouse Motif, circa 1900–1930

A finely cast English Arts & Crafts bronze … Read more English Arts & Crafts Bronze Seal, Cat & Mouse Motif, circa 1900–1930

A finely cast English Arts & Crafts bronze desk seal, surmounted by a sculptural mouse crouched at the top of the handle, its curling tail descending down the reverse side. The mouse motif is immediately associated with Robert “Mouseman” Thompson (1876–1955), the renowned Yorkshire craftsman celebrated for his hand-carved oak furniture and accessories, each discreetly signed with a carved mouse. Though Thompson’s workshop specialized in wood, the presence of the mouse here suggests a strong influence or direct inspiration from his aesthetic, translated into the medium of cast bronze.

The seal face, intaglio-engraved, depicts what appears to be a pair of arched tablets bound within a frame—a design that may symbolize law, knowledge, or religious commandments, making this piece not only decorative but also emblematic of authority and scholarship. The handle itself is elongated and flared at the base, showing evidence of sand-casting with a rich mottled patina, accentuated by subtle traces of age-related verdigris.

Measuring 4 inches high × 1.5 inches wide × 1.25 inches in diameter, this heavy, tactile object would have been used to impress a wax seal on documents, an essential accessory for desks of distinction in the Arts & Crafts period.

Provenance & Context: Whether directly tied to the Mouseman workshop or made by a contemporary English metalsmith working under the sway of the Arts & Crafts revival, this piece embodies the movement’s ideals: craftsmanship, symbolism, and utility.

Condition: Very good antique condition, with patina consistent with age and use. See less