A slice of Bradford’s commercial history is to go under the hammer next week at a guide price of between £10,000 and £15,000.

The original oak-panelled boardroom from the Lidget Green offices of mail order company Freeman Grattan Holdings will be auctioned by Tennants Auctioneers of Leyburn on Saturday, April 4.

It was made by Robert “Mouseman” Thompson, of Kilburn, North Yorkshire, and commissioned by John Enrico Fattorini, chairman of Grattan from 1912 to 1924, and installed in the then new head office in 1931.

The Fattorini family were long-standing customers of Mouseman Thompson, buying furniture for personal use and pieces for other locations, including Bradford Golf Club.

The boardroom features seven of Robert Thompson’s famous trademark carved mice, including a nodding mouse peeking out of a mousehole.

Ian Cartwright, great great grandson of Robert Thompson, who now runs the firm, said the Grattan furniture would have taken around 10,000 hours to make.

The boardroom was originally housed in the art deco Grattan Warehouse Ltd building, known as North Side and in 1963 it was moved to what is now called Otto House, where it was extended.

The initial order for the fireplace, inglenook seats, fender, door and floor cost just over £342.

An oak table and office desk, cost about £38 and a sideboard £29.

Humorous touches include two carved heads, one depicting a devil poking his tongue out, the other as a monk with eyes shut, suggesting slumber.

Diane Sinnott, Tennant’s head of decorative arts and modern design, said the removal of the boardroom was overseen by an expert from English Heritage.

She said: “It’s a unique and historic piece and we would anticipate a high level of interest, especially as it is in sections and could be adapted to fit into a large house.”

A spokesman for Freeman Grattan Holdings said proceeds from the sale would be put towards the cost of a 21st Century boardroom in Bradford where the company, part of the German-based Otto Group, would retain its UK head office.

e-mail: chris.holland @telegraphandargus.co.uk