Burgundy

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About 20 years ago, someone gifted me an antique bear. They had saved it from a trash pile and knew that I’d appreciate it. He’s tattered, torn, and very delicate. He’s missing his eyes and half of his mouth. His paw pad on one of his feet is missing, exposing the wood wool excelsior inside. When I got him, I slipped a pair of baby socks on his legs to protect them. They were burgundy in color, thus giving him his name. 

He has traveled with me to several homes over the years and is now perched on a shelf next to my sewing area with some of the other animals and dolls in my collection. I recently joined a group on Facebook for those who restore or want to restore old bears. I posted Burgundy, and his photos received many likes and a few comments. One poster suggested that he is called an American stick bear, created during the twenties and thirties when people didn't have the means to purchase more expensive toys for their children. Stick bears were simply made with long skinny limbs and slight bodies. Even though I'm not very confident in my repairing abilities, I may attempt to mend his foot and give him eyes and a proper mouth. His bow is frayed and cut short, so I might replace that with a beautiful silk one. Then again, maybe I'll leave him as he is. There is a bit of charm in his shabbiness. Much like the skin horse in The Velveteen Rabbit. 

You can see his growler box in his tummy. It sadly doesn't work anymore.

Exposed excelsior (wood wool) in his foot


I couldn't resist asking ChatGPT to make him take a walk in the woods. 



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