A STEIFF HARLEQUIN TEDDY BEAR, jointed, half red and half blue mohair, one blue and black and one brown and black glass eye, black stitching, yellow felt pads and FF button, circa 1925 --13½in. (34cm.) high (small bald spot below right ear, some fading mainly to the blue, blue eye cracked, patch to right pad and some general wear)

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 1… Read more

TEDDY BEAR, 1920s

Details

A STEIFF HARLEQUIN TEDDY BEAR, jointed, half red and half blue mohair, one blue and black and one brown and black glass eye, black stitching, yellow felt pads and FF button, circa 1925 --13½in. (34cm.) high (small bald spot below right ear, some fading mainly to the blue, blue eye cracked, patch to right pad and some general wear)

Provenance

This bear belonged to a woman who worked for Steiff for over 40 years, five of them while Margarete Steiff was still alive. A wooden plaque, inscribed by Paul Steiff, was presented to her to mark her 40 years with the company on the 14th March 1944. This plaque is not included with this bear, but is illustrated in the original auction catalogue.

Purchased from the Steiff Festival Auction in Giengen, 19th June 1999, lot 78.

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 17.5% on the buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

This bear is probably unique and was perhaps an experimental piece. It is possible that it was actually made by the original owner. After this bear was sold in 1999, Steiff manufactured a limited edition for their Steiff Club members.

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