A Thomas 'Gnomeman' Whittaker spinning stool / chair. All hand carved with the signature gnome to the back leg. It is very unusual in that it has the Whitby Abbey coat of arms on the splat back which contains three coiled snake stones that represent ammonites. Above the shield is a mitre (bishop's ceremonial headdress), and a crosier (a ceremonial staff carried by high-ranking Christian clergy, such as bishops or abbots). Please see picture above of the Whitby Abbey coat of arms. 
 
According to legend, the grounds Whitby Abbey was to be built on was infested with snakes and St Hilda turned the snakes into stone and threw them into the sea, and they became ammonites. Quite an usual and rare carving to have on a Gnomeman chair, probably a one-off commission piece. Whittaker's workshop was in Littlebeck, a small, picturesque hamlet located very close to Whitby in North Yorkshire, so having this Whitby connection on a Gnomeman piece is very special indeed. 
 
The chair is in excellent condition with no damage. It has been beautifully adzed on the splat back and the seat - also on the back leg, too. It is a wonderful gingerbread colour and the oak used to make the chair has medullary rays throughout, particularly to the seat, that really capture the light and give the piece that extra wow factor. The signature gnome has been expertly carved to the back leg, the detail in it is superb.
 
It is a sturdy chair with no movement in the joints, and it is still very useable today. The full height, including the splat back, measures 88 cm. The seat height is 35 cm. The width of the seat is 37 cm. A fine example of a Gnomeman chair with an interesting bespoke carving.
 
Thomas 'Gnomeman' Whittaker (1910 - 1991) was a craftsman based in North Yorkshire. He was heavily influenced by Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson. His designs are based on Mouseman pieces, but they tend to be a bit more rustic in their style. He was inspired to use the gnome to sign his pieces as, according to legend, a gnome is born each time an acorn germinates, and it will guard the oak tree throughout its life. Gnomeman pieces have become highly sought after since his death, some commanding higher prices than Mouseman pieces because of their rarity.