Not currently on display at the V&A

Teddy Bear

1930-1935 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Teddy bear of pale very worn golden mohair plush with linen feet and paw pads. The nose and mouth are stitched with black wool some of which is missing. The eyes are orange and black glass on wire shanks. The head and limbs are jointed. There are remnants of black stitched claws best preserved on the feet but almost entirely missing from the paws. There is a label stitched to the right foot and a celluloid button attached to the back just behind the left arm. The stuffing is wood wool and there is an squeaker type voice box (non functioning) within the body.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Stitched linen, wool and mohair plush with wood wool (excelsior) stuffing
Brief description
Mohair plush teddy bear made in England by Merrythought in the early 1930s
Physical description
Teddy bear of pale very worn golden mohair plush with linen feet and paw pads. The nose and mouth are stitched with black wool some of which is missing. The eyes are orange and black glass on wire shanks. The head and limbs are jointed. There are remnants of black stitched claws best preserved on the feet but almost entirely missing from the paws. There is a label stitched to the right foot and a celluloid button attached to the back just behind the left arm. The stuffing is wood wool and there is an squeaker type voice box (non functioning) within the body.
Dimensions
  • Height: 39.4cm
  • Width: 21.2cm
  • Depth: 11cm
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
Merrythought Hygienic Toys Made in England (Label; English; Sole of right foot)
Object history
Historical significance: The bear is an example of Merrythought's Magnet range of teddy bears which were the earliest the company manufactured.
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Associated object
Bibliographic reference
Axe, John, The Magic of Merrythought, Cumberland, Maryland: Hobby House Press, Inc., 1986
Collection
Accession number
B.225-1999

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Record createdMarch 6, 2000
Record URL
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