Steiff – EAN 036996 – Knut Masterpiece Polar Bear – 30 cm – Alpaca – Limited Edition – 2007

Description

An original Steiff Knut Masterpiece Polar Bear, EAN 036996, produced in Germany in 2007 as a worldwide limited edition of only 3,000 examples. This example is numbered 02981 and retains its original Steiff box, numbered certificate and manufacturer’s labels.

The model was created in response to the extraordinary international popularity of Knut, the polar bear cub born at Berlin Zoo on 5 December 2006. Rejected by his mother Tosca shortly after birth and subsequently hand-reared, Knut became an international phenomenon and one of the best-known zoo animals of his generation. Steiff introduced this more elaborate Masterpiece interpretation in 2007, explicitly describing it as a representation of the celebrated Berlin Zoo cub.

Made from soft, long-pile white alpaca, the bear has a characteristically broad body, lowered head and naturalistic four-legged stance. The face is individually worked with contrasting grey shading to the muzzle and ears, black nose and glass eyes. A distinctive feature of this model is Steiff’s double-disc neck joint, allowing the head to be turned and positioned in different directions while the legs remain unjointed. The stitched paws are weighted with granulate, giving additional substance and helping the bear retain its characteristic stance.

The original certificate identifies the model as “Knut Masterpiece”, 30 cm, limited to 3,000 pieces worldwide, and records the production year as 2007. It further specifies genuine alpaca covering, glass eyes and the special neck construction. The bear retains the characteristic Steiff gold-plated “Button in Ear”, together with its consecutively numbered red-and-white limited-edition ear tag.

A complete and highly collectable example of one of the most recognisable Steiff animal issues of the 2000s, enhanced considerably by the survival of its original box, numbered certificate and factory identification.

Condition
Excellent original condition. The white alpaca covering remains full and attractive, with only very minor signs of handling or storage. Facial detailing, glass eyes, stitched paws and black nose remain well preserved. The double-jointed neck operates as intended. Original Steiff button and limited-edition ear label present. Complete with original numbered certificate and Steiff presentation box. The box has minor storage and edge wear commensurate with age. Please refer to the photographs for a full visual record of condition.

Maker: Margarete Steiff GmbH, Giengen/Brenz, Germany
Date: 2007
Height: 30 cm
Material: White long-pile alpaca; glass eyes; textile and granulate components
Construction: Naturalistic four-legged construction with unjointed legs; double-disc/two-way jointed neck allowing positional movement of the head; granulate-filled stitched paws; embroidered and applied facial detailing; Steiff gold-plated Button in Ear and numbered limited-edition ear tag.

Why Buy from Hornseys?

Every item offered by Hornseys is handled, inspected and catalogued in-house before being offered for sale. We take particular care to identify manufacturers, edition details, materials, accessories and condition accurately, using the object itself and its surviving original documentation wherever possible.

Hornseys has been established in Ripon, North Yorkshire, since 1976, and our stock encompasses fine art, illustration, rare books, collectables, toys and unusual decorative objects.

We provide free UK delivery, carefully packed tracked shipping and a 14-day unconditional return guarantee, provided the item is returned in the same condition in which it was supplied.

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