Kapok is a silky fibre obtained from the silk-cotton tree used for insulation and stuffing for pillows, mattresses, etc as well as soft toys such as teddies and other animals. The fibre is light, very buoyant, resilient, resistant to water, but it is very flammable. The process of harvesting and separating the fibre is labour-intensive and manual. Reference: Wikipedia
EARLY GERMAN BROWN TEDDY BEAR BY STEIFF WITH SHOE BUTTON EYES AND KAPOK FILL
13″ (33 cm.) Of velvety brown mohair fur, the teddy bear has distinctive pointed nose with dark brown embroidered muzzle and lips, black shoe button eyes, stitched ears, swivel head, back hump, disc-jointed arms and legs with large feet, felt paw pads, and has kapok stuffing. With original early Steiff button in ear. Excellent condition. Germany, Steiff, circa 1910.
Sold for $950 at Theriault’s
Large teddy bear; in good condition though the plush is worn in places especially on the top of the head and around the body. The nose has no plush and is well stitched with black threads into a three pointed nose and a reverse V mouth. Ears are round but flattened to the head. The footpads are of coarse cotton, beige, the claws marked with black threads. Toe ends of the feet are worn out and the left one is torn. Eyes of glass, dark brown and black. Arms slightly bent, legs straight. Partly stuffed with kapok and partly with wood wool or straw.
This bear was bought at Harrods in 1930 for the donor Eileen Margaret Wall, nee Cook, who was born on the 23 October 1925. The bear’s plush is artificial silk which was used as an alternative to mohair plush and was particularly popular in Britain. The bear’s owner gave it the name Pooh. The two books featuring the Winnie-the-Pooh bear character were published in 1926 and 1928 and no doubt contributed to the choice of name.
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
Pink mohair Chiltern teddy bear Kapok stuffed mohair bear with red and black glass eyes, vertically stitched nose and mouth, swivel head and jointed shoulders and hips, cotton paw pads and stitched claws (some small areas of wear to mohair), 38cm (15in) tall.
Sold for £ 456 inc. premium at Bonhams in 2010
STEIFF teddy “Bärle”, item number 28 PAB/5328,1, shiny button, 40 cm standing height, 28 cm sitting height, white mohair plush, kapok and straw stuffing, paws and soles are made of felt, shoe button eyes, salmon-colored nose/mouth decoration, always 4 claws, fivefold jointed, press voice isn’t working, only 1905/06 produced, minimal used, great expression, the white color is very rare, with expertise by the company Margarete Steiff GmbH, Giengen
Sold for €13,500 at Ladenburger Spielzeugauktion GmbH in 2019
