Teddy Bear thumbnail 1
Teddy Bear thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Teddy Bear

1905-1908 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The William J. Terry Co. based in Hackney in east London made this early British bear. The company was already famous for its soft toys before it started making bears. Early German bears had boot button eyes. English bears, like this one, usually had glass eyes with painted backs. The webbed claw stitching on this bear's paws is another characteristic of English bears.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Stuffed and sewn mohair plush
Brief description
Mohair plush teddy bear made in England probably by William J Terry about 1906
Physical description
Reddish brown shaggy mohair plush fully jointed teddy bear. The eyes are glass with painted backs and the nose, mouth and claws stitched with black wool. The stuffing is a mixture of wood wool and kapok.
Dimensions
  • Standing height: 60cm
  • Standing width: 28.5cm
  • Standing depth: 31cm
  • Sitting height: 40cm
  • Sitting width: 28.5cm
  • Depth: 31cm
Production typeMass produced
Credit line
Given by Miss Dorothy Chaplin
Production
Reason For Production: Retail
Summary
The William J. Terry Co. based in Hackney in east London made this early British bear. The company was already famous for its soft toys before it started making bears. Early German bears had boot button eyes. English bears, like this one, usually had glass eyes with painted backs. The webbed claw stitching on this bear's paws is another characteristic of English bears.
Collection
Accession number
MISC.15-1988

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Record createdOctober 28, 2003
Record URL
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