Antique Mohair Teddy Bear, 1930s German Hot Water Bottle, 17 Inch Jointed Toy

An unusual 1930s German mohair teddy bear originally made to hold a hot water bottle, combining the comfort of a teddy bear with a wonderfully ingenious piece of early 20th-century design.

Standing approximately 43 cm (17") tall, the bear is made from golden mohair with glass eyes, an embroidered black nose and mouth, and five working disc joints. The back opens with press studs, revealing the compartment originally designed to hold a hot water bottle.

The original rubber bottle had deteriorated beyond use and has been removed. The compartment has instead been lightly filled with kapok so the bear retains his proper shape while preserving this fascinating original feature.

He retains approximately 90% of his mohair and has the wonderfully expressive, slightly time-worn appearance that only an authentic early teddy develops.

Origin: Germany
Period: Circa 1930
Material: Golden mohair
Height: 43 cm (17 inches)
Eyes: Glass
Nose & mouth: Black embroidery
Joints: Five working disc joints
Stuffing: Wood wool / excelsior with replacement kapok in bottle compartment
Special feature: Original rear hot-water-bottle compartment with press studs
Growler: Present but no longer working; rattles when tipped

Condition
Good antique condition for approximately 95 years of age.

Around 90% of the original mohair remains. There is age-related thinning and wear around the muzzle, particularly to one side, together with small holes near the nose. Some embroidered claws are missing and the paw pads have previously been covered.

The original hot water bottle had deteriorated and is no longer present. Its compartment has been filled with kapok to retain the bear's shape.

Clean and free from musty or unpleasant odours. Please study the photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.

A particularly unusual survivor from the early teddy-bear era, appealing not only to antique bear collectors but also to collectors of early childhood and social-history objects.

Carefully packed and shipped from Sweden with tracking.

For U.S. buyers, all customs tariffs and handling fees are prepaid in the shipping shown at checkout, with no additional charges on delivery.