Teddy Bear, Schuco

Teddy Bear, Schuco, about 1935, Museum no. MISC.6-1978

Teddy Bear
Schuco
Germany
About 1935
Stuffed and sewn mohair plush with internal metal mechanism
Museum no. MISC.6-1978

Teddy Bear shown after conservation beside X-Ray image

The bears were strung together in a similar but varying configuration, and X-rays enabled us to see the internal metallic components without taking the bears apart. The 'Schuco' bears had an internal armature connecting the tail to the head so that when the tail was wagged, the head turned from side to side. Where there were voice box 'growlers' they had almost always perforated.

Teddy bear, about 1905. Museum no. MISC.566-1984

Teddy bear, about 1905. Museum no. MISC.566-1984

Teddy bear
About 1905
Germany
Gold Yorkshire cloth plush, with embroidered nose, mouth and claws
Museum no. MISC.566-1984

Teddy bear shown before and after conservation

Wood wool stuffing (fine wood shavings), traditionally used to stuff the bears, had the tendency to break up and compact, leaving the arms out of shape, so they were reshaped with extra stuffing and some careful manipulation. One teddy bear had spent 60 years in a baby's dress which had constricted the arms and caused them to distort.

Teddy Bear, about 1905. Museum no. MISC.566-1984

Teddy Bear, about 1905. Museum no. MISC.566-1984

Teddy Bear
Germany
About 1905
Yorkshire cloth, wearing embroidered woolen dress
Museum no. MISC.566-1984

Teddy bear with detached head before and after conservation

Teddy bear with detached head before and after conservation

Teddy bear with detached head
Before and after conservation

Limbs sometimes needed to be re-attached.

'Blackie', Teddy Bear

'Blackie', Teddy Bear, 1910. Museum no. MISC.1-1971

'Blackie'
Teddy Bear
England
1910
Stuffed and sewn mohair plush
Museum no. MISC.1-1971

Teddy Bear, about 1960-69. Museum no. B.899-1993

Teddy Bear, about 1960-69. Museum no. B.899-1993

Teddy Bear
Poland
About 1960-69
Mohair cloth
Museum no. B.899-1993