Black Forest Carved Bear Stick Stand

A late nineteenth-century Black Forest carved wood stick stand, modelled naturalistically as a bear reared on its hind legs upon a faceted plinth base. Hand-carved from linden wood in the Bernese Oberland tradition centered around Brienz, the figure exhibits finely gouged texturing throughout the pelt, deep whorls across the ruff, and inset amber-coloured glass eyes flanking an open, painted mouth.

The forelegs clasp together in front of the chest to form the upper retaining loop for walking sticks and umbrellas, while the hollowed plinth below forms the receiving well. Developed primarily for the prosperous European and Grand Tour market, such sculptural hall furnishings combined utilitarian service with the prevailing Victorian taste for naturalistic alpine woodcarving.