A Vintage Brass Mouse on a Mousetrap Base
This lot is a vintage brass novelty piece combining a seated mouse figure with a miniature mousetrap base. The item is offered as a paperweight and paper clip holder, a whimsical desk accessory that takes its form from the traditional snap trap. It is presented as a single lot.
The mouse is cast in brass with a polished, rounded finish, showing large upturned ears, a defined muzzle and a small curled tail resting around its feet. It sits upon a rectangular brass base with a raised, diamond-patterned lattice surface and a bordered edge. A spring-loaded steel bar and coiled springs are fitted to one end of the base, in keeping with a classic mousetrap design. The combination of cast brass and steel gives the piece a traditional, slightly playful character.
Condition and Collector Interest
The brass shows the gentle wear and tonal variation expected of an older metal piece, with darker toning in the recesses of the lattice pattern and softer patina across the mouse figure. The steel trap mechanism displays age-related wear to its metal surfaces. No restoration or repair is recorded for this lot, and prospective buyers are advised to consider its age and wear when bidding.
Novelty desk pieces of this kind appeal to collectors of vintage brass, humorous office accessories and mouse-themed collectibles. Its unusual subject and mechanical detailing make it an engaging addition to a desk, study or display shelf.