Old Birds Antiques

Description

Go-to-bed Bronze Bear.

A rare Ormolu Bronze ' go-to-bed '/ Warwickshire bear and Ragged staff.

It is stunning quality, which is shown by the fact it is made from Ormolu Bronze rather than just standard brass.


They were used as a nightlight tapered matchbox.

The hinged head allows access to the matches stored in the body. The lit match is placed in the hole at the end of the staff.

The idea was that, rather than risk taking a lighted candle near to the voluminous fabric of a four poster bed, the lighted match on the mantelpiece would burn for some 30 seconds — just long enough for the person to snuff out the candle and get into bed.

I Believe it to be Victorian in age around the period of 1860's.

It is in fantastic condition with the original glass eyes still there.

A lovely piece of history in fantastic condition, all original I believe.

Came straight from a private house in Scotland.

It measures roughly 3" high by 2.5" long by 1.5" deep.