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Color as a design element kicked in at Steiff around 1925. During the early 20th century, Steiff's production focused on being as "natural" and realistically hued as possible. Animals were made in their real-life palates, while bears appeared in brown, white, and blonde. Then, starting around 1925, the company started to use color to add life, personality, and humor to their lines. For example, bears were produced in bright yellows and soft pinks, rabbits were made in "jellybean" colored fabrics, and some pets were detailed with vibrantly tipped blue, red, orange, or green mohair. Much of the impetus behind this came from Richard Steiff, who insisted that Steiff's catalog conform to the aesthetic of the "roaring '20s" to be competitive in the global toy industry.
In keeping with the theme of playful hues over time, here is a peek at my favorite spring colored Steiff treasures from my personal collection. Each one matches a flower blooming - or about to - in my yard. These blossoms are all pictured as a button-in-ear bouquet in the shot at the top of this feature story.
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Tulips: Red Alfonzo. This tiny, adorable, and well rendered replica of Steiff's legacy Alfonzo is one happy handful! He is 15 cm tall, fully jointed, and made from red mohair with tan felt pads. His face comes to life with black button eyes and a hand embroidered nose and mouth. Like his namesake, he wears a charming two piece outfit made from tan silky material. It is detailed with white felt trim and buttons. This model was made in 2012 for Teddy Bears of Whitney in an edition size of 1,908.
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Daffodils: Yellow Ball Duck. It's easy to go quackers over this rare novelty. Duck is standing, head jointed, and made from yellow mohair. She is 15 cm tall. Her feet and beak are made from double thick orange felt. Her eyes are black buttons. Her ID button is located on her foot. Duck was designed as a toss and catch or pram toy; other ball patterns included cats, rabbits, and lions, among others. This bouncing beauty was made in 9 and 15 cm from 1932-1943.
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Peonies: Teddy Baby Rosey. This pretty in pink cub is 29 cm, five ways jointed, made from very thick pink mohair. He has matching felt paw pads. His face is detailed with piercing blue and black pupil eyes, an open felt lined mouth, and a red hand embroidered nose and claws. He wears a red studded leather collar with a bell. This item was made in an edition size of 3000 in 1999 for the third annual Giengen, Germany Steiff Festival.
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Hyacinths: Blue Tipped Fluffy Cat. Isn't she purr-fect in every way? Fluffy is sitting, head jointed, and made in part from bluish tipped mohair. Her tail wraps sweetly around her body. Fluffy's face is detailed with oversized teal and black slit pupil style glass eyes, a hand embroidered pink nose and mouth, and monofilament whiskers. Sitting Fluffy was produced prewar in 9 sizes ranging from 7 to 43 cm from 1926-1943.
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Lilies: Orange Nightcap Cockie. You snooze, you lose with Steiff's nightcap animals. Cockie is 15 cm and head jointed. Her arms and face are made from tan mohair, while her ears are made from black mohair. Her body, which is designed to be like a hollow tent, is made from orange felt. It is decorated with a red, orange, and green felt tulip. She features black and white google eyes, a black embroidered nose and mouth, and a touch of airbrushing. Other nightcap animals included cats, bears, foxes, and rabbits. These items were designed to hide a sweet, prize, or coin on the pillow of a child. Cockie was produced between 1969-1974.
Steiffgal hopes this discussion on Steiff's colorful treasures has put an energetic spring in your step.
Come view our robust selections of colorful charmers, sweet doll pets, and other button-in-ear beauties at www.mysteifflife.com! A preview of these goodies is featured below.
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