Likely an early 1900s Grand Tour souvenir of someone's visit to Switzerland's magical Black Forest region, this oversized bear epergne stand is nearly double the size of most made like this. He has a painted mouth and glass eyes, and holds a lightly damaged original blown glass flute or flower vase (epergne stand) at the ready. The base is 4 1/4" in diameter, and also carved, typical of these charming little collection pieces. Perfect accent for a breakfast table in your cabin, ski lodge, or just at home. I have a friend who fills hers with salt, even though it's about 7" tall, and leaves it on table as an open salt. Get creative, put these hand carved pieces to use. He is a little over 9" tall, with the glass insert in place.
Very good condition - excellent bear, but kept from being excellent overall by the rim chip on the old glass. Most of these have lost their original glass insert. I've collected about 12 of the smaller finer-carved bears and thought I'd cut the stand from wine glasses and insert stems for a fun party sometime. Might, still. This one is larger than the average ones. Dates c.1900-1930s, I'd say.
