Haida Tribe Childs Handmade Teddy Bear, Made of Sealskin 1930's-1940's

Bear is 20 inches tall and is very stiff. I believe that sawdust was used to stuff this little guy. He is made of thick Sealskin, leather pieces for the inside of the ears, the nose, and the tops of his feet. He has white, blue, and red beads for his eyes. This was made by a member of the Haida Tribe, and whoever made this really did a great job. The Sealskin fur was tanned properly so that the hair is not falling out. But, along the middle of Bear's back, you can see the black thread used to sew him up. There are places along that line of sewing that show now, Bear is getting very old :) He is sewn together at the back, with the top of his arms and the top of his legs sewn to the body, and his head is sewn up the middle of his face and those places are still hidden well. I believe that this bear was made as a gift for a child, and I think he was very much loved. Seal Skin has been illegal to sell in the United States since the 70s, but this guy was made long before that. I did not purchase this, I bought a basket made with deer fur for very little money on eBay and the seller sent Bear along with it. I told her this was very valuable and she told me she had made up her mind that whoever bought the basket, Bear would go with it.

I love this guy and he lays on a very old Navajo saddle blanket on the bottom shelf in my curio cabinet all of the time, so he stays safe. I have looked and looked for another bear like mine and I FINALLY found one at the Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology so I know which tribe made my bear for sure now.