CRUSADER (ARMOURED MOUSE)

nickel alloy, brass and wood; #7/8 (unique)

mouse length: 5.75 in. (14.6 cm) / overall size on base: 2.5 x 7 x 2 in. (6.4 x 17.8 x 5.1 cm)

Price Realized:

$ 5700 CAD.

INCLUDES BUYER’S PREMIUM

Notes:

signed, dated and numbered on the inside of the mouse and underside of the base

Jeff de Boer first became intrigued by armour as a 5-year old boy, accompanying his mother on a trip to Calgary’s Glenbow Museum. His father was a sheet metal fabricator, so de Boer had easy access, from an early age, to the materials and tools with which to experiment. He made his first armoured mouse in 1986, while still a student at the Alberta College of Art & Design (now AU Arts). His chosen specialty of jewellery design, which required working with tiny tools to create fine detail, was instrumental in igniting the spark that grew into a lifetime passion.

Jeff de Boer has said of his armoured mouse series: “The mouse symbolizes an eternal underdog…By giving the mouse armour, I think it stands a fighting chance to take on the hostile world of cats (predators)”. “The suit of armour is a transformation vehicle…something that only a hero would wear”.

Each charming and whimsical armoured work – the artist has created over 500 during his 40 year career – takes inspiration from cultural and military history, whether Samurai, Hussar, or Medieval warrior. The museum-quality armour is carefully researched, detailed, and each piece meticulously hand-crafted.

De Boer’s works can be found in numerous collections around the world. The artist was recently featured in a National Geographic article, “Meet the World’s First (and Only) Cat and Mouse Armorer” (Kristen Romey; December 21, 2022).