Early 20th Century Bears. Bears became very popular in the early 20th century after Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear. It was the birth of the Steiff teddy bear but also other bears such as Black Forest bears became popular as well.
Below are some examples and price guides of early 20th century bears including a Steiff mohair bear and a Black Forest bear tantalus.
Black Forest carved bear tantalus with 6 cordial glasses. Early 20th century. Overall: 11″ h x 7 1/2″ diam (approx)
Sold for US$750 at King Galleries in 2023
Early Steiff mohair pull toy seated on metal wheels, self steering bar. Has signs of visible tatter, growler no working, great decorative early toy display. Measuring approx 22″ long, 19″ high early 20th century.
Sold for US$230 at Premier Auction Galleries in 2023
1 Large size early 20th century silver and brass picture button.
Here is a cool button of a silvered and detailed full body BEAR which is pinned to a domed brass base.
Sold for US$250 at The Lion and Unicorn in 2023
A Wedgwood Powder Blue Ground Polar Bear Bowl UK, early 20th century
Glazed and gilded bone china
Shape 6355 with “Polar Bear on Ice Flow” decoration designed by James Hodgkiss.
Printed Wedgwood Portland Vase mark.
Sold for US$1,500 at Freeman’s in 2023
Very nice early Steiff bear, around 1910, with button, block letters, long trailing f, shoe button eyes, long snaped off arms, hump, felt paws wree probably once professional retouched, restored embroidering at snout, smaller places with mohair loss, 62 cm, very expressiv
Sold for €2,100 at Ladenburger Spielzeugauktion GmbH in 2023