Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’

Alan “Acornman” Grainger of Brandsby is a distinguished ‘Yorkshire Critter’ furniture maker known for his excellent craftsmanship and distinctive acorn carvings. Alan is not an ex Mouseman craftsman, he was trained by his father George J Grainger who established the acorn signature on his own furniture in 1934. It’s unclear if George Grainger was ever trained at Robert Thompson’s as we’ve read contradictory details.

As his reputation and business grew, in the late 1950s George and Alan acquired most of the manufacturing assets, including the designs, of Robert Ingham’s Kingpost Furniture business. They traded together initially as GJ Grainger & Son and later as Acorn Industries, which continued very successfully under Alan’s leadership. He trained and employed several craftsmen, until he retired and closed the business in 2005.

Working mostly in Robert Thompson’s traditional adzed oak, they were one of the few ‘Yorkshire Critter’ craftsmen who also offered a ‘Cotswold School’ Arts and Crafts range and worked with oak, walnut and occasionally mahogany.

Some years ago, Alan presented David with the signed and annotated furniture design book that was his father’s inspiration for many of their Arts and Crafts designs following a personal visit to see Alan, and an impromptu tour around the now eerily empty workshop buildings.

Browse our collection of Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger pieces for sale, or previously sold, below.

alan grainger acornman oak table lamp

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Oak Table lamp, 1980s

£ 225
acornman alan grainger oak gavel block and stand

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Gavel, Block and Stand, 1970s

£ 425
alan acornman grainger oak fruitbowl

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ 8 3/4″ Oak Fruitbowl, 1960s/70s

£ 179
alan acornman grainger oak stool

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Stool, 1970s/80s

£ 295
alan acornman grainger oak standard lamp

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Standard Lamp, 1970s/80s

£ 350
alan-acornman-grainger-oak-glazed-display-cabinet

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Large Glazed Oak Corner Display Cabinet, 1970s

£ 1,665

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Magazine Rack, 1970s/80s

£ 335

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger, Oak Ashtray, 1970s / 80s

£ 125
alan-acornman-grainger-oak-table-lamp

Alan Acornman Grainger Oak Table Lamp

Alan Grainger Acornman Oak Ashtray

alan acornman grainger oak ceiling chandelier

Alan Grainger Acornman Oak Three Branch Ceiling Chandelier

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Trolley

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger, Oak Dressing Table with Mirror / Low Chest of Drawers

alan-acornman-grainger-oak-shelf

Alan Grainger Acornman Oak Oak Shelf

alan grainger acornman oak shelf

Alan Acornman Grainger Oak Shelf

alan-acornman-grainger-oak-shelf

Alan Acornman Grainger Oak Shelf

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger, Bespoke 4’ Walnut Cotswold School Design Double Wardrobe

alan-acornman-grainger-oak-sideboard

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger, Oak 3’6” Sideboard

alan-acornman-grainger-oak-stool

Alan Acornman Grainger Oak Stool

Acornman Alan Grainger Oak Stool

Acornman Alan Grainger Oak Drop Leaf Occasional Table

Alan Acornman Grainger Oak Fruitbowl

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Octagonal Coffee Table

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger, Pair of Walnut Napkin Rings

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger, Oak Ashtray

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger, 4’5” Oak Coffee Table

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger, Oak Entertainment / Side Cabinet

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger, Oak Magazine Rack

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger Oak Chest of Drawers / Dressing Chest

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger, Oak Table Lamp

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger, Oak / Burr Oak 4’6” Dining Table

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger Oak Dressing Table and Mirror

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger 5’ 3” Oak Sideboard

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger, Mahogany 4’ Tall Chest of Drawers

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger 3’6” Dressing Table with Mirror and Stool

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger 6’3” Oak Bed Headboard

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger Oak Storage Chest

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger / Acorn Industries 2’6” Oak Coffee Table

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger Oak 2 Tier Side Table

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger 3’6” Oak Double Wardrobe

‘Acornman’ Alan Grainger 4’ Oak Double Wardrobe

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Bespoke Oak Coffee Table

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Magazine Rack

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Console Table

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Table Lamp

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Magazine Rack

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Bespoke Oak Bench

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Stool

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Dining Table and 8 Chair Set

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger 3’8” Oak Bookcase

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Letter Rack

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Hall / Side Table

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Spinning Stool

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Large Oak Corner Display Cabinet

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger 4′ Oak Sideboard

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Standard Lamp

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Ceiling Chandeliers

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Ceiling Chandelier

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Early Oak Table Lamp

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Walnut Ashtray

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Pair of Oak Double Wall Lights

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Set of 4 Wall Lights

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Table Lamp

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Table Lamp

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Bespoke Oak Bookcase

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Glazed Oak Corner Cabinet

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger 2’ Oak Occasional Table

Alan ‛Acornman’ Grainger Oak Entertainment Cabinet

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Ashtray

Alan ‛Acornman’ Grainger 3’6” Oak Blanket Box

Alan ‛Acornman’ Grainger Large Oak Corner TV / Ent Shelf

Alan ‛Acornman’ Grainger 3’ 3 1/2” Oak Cupboard

Alan ‛Acornman’ Grainger Bespoke Oak Wall Shelf Unit

Alan ‛Acornman’ Grainger Oak Stool

Alan ‛Acornman’ Grainger 5’6” Sideboard

Alan ‛Acornman’ Grainger 6’ Dining Table and 6 Chairs

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Dropleaf Occasional / Coffee Table

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Oak Corner Cupboard

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Oak Chest of Drawers

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Oak Bedside Cabinet

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Oak Stand Mirror

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Oak Stool

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Oak Spinning Stool

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Oak 4 Branch Ceiling Chandelier

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Oak 4 Branch Ceiling Chandelier

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Pair of Oak Double Wall Lights

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Mahogany Glazed Corner Display Cabinet

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Mahogany Standard Lamp

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Mahogany 3’ 6” Coffee Table

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Mahogany Pair of Wine Tables

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Mahogany Table Lamp

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Oak Occasional Table or Stool

Alan Grainger ‘Acornman’ Oak Rocking Chair

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak Spinning Stool

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Oak 2’ Coffee Table

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger Pair of Oak 3 Legged Stools

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger, Oak Rocking Chair

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger, Two Tier Serving Trolley

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger, Oak Coffee Table

Alan ‘Acornman’ Grainger, Oak Coffee Table