Share your favorites on Show & Tell

Haida Tribe Childs Handmade Teddy Bear, Made of Sealskin 1930's-1940's

In Native American > Eskimo, Inuit, and Tlingit Objects > Show & Tell and Dolls > Teddy Bears > Show & Tell.
Teddy Bears122 of 579Handmade BearsAdrian Ludwig
9
Love it
0
Like it

vetraio50vetraio50 loves this.
AnnaBAnnaB loves this.
ManikinManikin loves this.
betweenthelensbetweenthelens loves this.
CaperkidCaperkid loves this.
fortapachefortapache loves this.
TassieDevilTassieDevil loves this.
TimeTravellerTimeTraveller loves this.
NewfldNewfld loves this.
See 7 more
Add to collection

    Please create an account, or Log in here

    If you don't have an account, create one here.


    Create a Show & TellReport as inappropriate


    Posted 6 years ago

    Tlynnie1942
    (134 items)

    Bear is 20 inches tall and is very stiff. I believe that sawdust was used to stuff this little guy. He is made of thick Sealskin, leather pieces for the inside of the ears, the nose, and the tops of his feet. He has white, blue, and red beads for his eyes. This was made by a member of the Haida Tribe, and whoever made this really did a great job. The Sealskin fur was tanned properly so that the hair is not falling out. But, along the middle of Bear's back, you can see the black thread used to sew him up. There are places along that line of sewing that show now, Bear is getting very old :) He is sewn together at the back, with the top of his arms and the top of his legs sewn to the body, and his head is sewn up the middle of his face and those places are still hidden well. I believe that this bear was made as a gift for a child, and I think he was very much loved. Seal Skin has been illegal to sell in the United States since the 70s, but this guy was made long before that. I did not purchase this, I bought a basket made with deer fur for very little money on eBay and the seller sent Bear along with it. I told her this was very valuable and she told me she had made up her mind that whoever bought the basket, Bear would go with it.

    I love this guy and he lays on a very old Navajo saddle blanket on the bottom shelf in my curio cabinet all of the time, so he stays safe. I have looked and looked for another bear like mine and I FINALLY found one at the Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology so I know which tribe made my bear for sure now.

    logo
    Eskimo, Inuit, and Tlingit Objects
    See all
    Caminetto Squat Bulldog (Eskimo?) Handmade Italy Used smoking pipe Sock incl
    Caminetto Squat Bulldog (Eskimo?) H...
    $131
    Pacific Northwest Coast Haida Style Carved Native Wood Tribal Whale Mask Plaque
    Pacific Northwest Coast Haida Style...
    $435
    amtique Inuit hand-carved walrus, from Alaska, white, 1 1/2
    amtique Inuit hand-carved walrus, f...
    $51
    Fetish Bear Signed Wendy Hook Animals Soapstone Inuit Alaska Wildlife Zuni Art
    Fetish Bear Signed Wendy Hook Anima...
    $8
    logo
    Caminetto Squat Bulldog (Eskimo?) Handmade Italy Used smoking pipe Sock incl
    Caminetto Squat Bulldog (Eskimo?) H...
    $131
    See all

    Comments

    1. Newfld Newfld, 6 years ago
      Adorable teddy bear
    2. fortapache fortapache, 6 years ago
      Great piece. That is something you won't run into often. Workmanship is quite good.
    3. betweenthelens betweenthelens, 6 years ago
      He is beautiful! What a history!
    4. betweenthelens betweenthelens, 6 years ago
      PS I love his beaded eyes.
    5. Manikin Manikin, 6 years ago
      Oh how wonderful and unique ! love love
    6. Tlynnie1942 Tlynnie1942, 6 years ago
      Thank you to everyone who loves my Bear Bear, I am very happy he is holding up so well. :)
    7. racer4four racer4four, 6 years ago
      Unique and wonderful. I can seethe craft in this, craft specialised to an indigenous group. No wonder you value it so much Thlynnie.

    Want to post a comment?

    Create an account or login in order to post a comment.