Gilt Bronze Bears. Gilt bronze, also called ormolu, is the term used to describe the gold-finished bronze decorative art objects from the 18th and 19th centuries. Reference: LAPADA
Below are some examples of gilt bronze bears including a third quarter 19th century inkwell and a Chinese figure of a seated bear.
A GILT-BRONZE BEAR-FORM SUPPORT HAN DYNASTY hollow-cast in a half-kneeling position with the right fore paw raised above the head and the jaw open, the body finely incised with fur markings, with a D-shaped aperture in the top of the head and a circular opening in the base, Japanese wood box Quantity: 2 8.6cm., 3 3/8 in.
Sold for 15,000 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2015
A third quarter 19th century gilt bronze bear inkwell on malachite base possibly Russian, the seated beast with hinged head (lacking liner) on rectangular base, 13.5cm high
Sold for £ 900 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2006
A SUPERB GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF A SEATED BEAR CHINA, WESTERN HAN DYNASTY (206 BC-AD 8) The seated figure shown scratching its right ear, with head lowered and mouth open to show the tongue lolling to one side, the fleshy body finely incised with wavy lines suggesting fur, and with finer, more closely arranged lines defining the brows, ruff and edges of the forelegs and small tail 3 in. (7.6 cm.) high
Sold for USD 2,853,000 at Christie’s in 2015
CHINESE GILT BRONZE BEAR TABLE ITEM. H. 11 cm by L. 12.4 cm by 9.3 cm. Weight 1361.5 gram. Good condition. No damage, no restoration.Sold for $4,750 at Monte Carlo Antique Gallery in 2019