Steiff – Manni Rabbit – 20 cm – Mohair – c.1960s-1970s

Description

An original vintage Steiff Manni rabbit, made in Germany in mohair and retaining both the Steiff Button in Ear and part of its original yellow identification flag.

Manni was one of Steiff’s distinctive upright or “begging” rabbits, characterised by an elongated seated body, long hind feet, small forelegs, large drooping ears and a swivel head. This example is made in cream and pale beige mohair, with darker shading to the ears, large dark eyes, pink stitched nose, felt-lined open mouth and surviving whiskers.

The head swivels independently from the body, an important feature of the Manni pattern. The long ears are edged and shaded in darker brown, while the small cream tail and original narrow neck ribbon remain present.

The surviving yellow Steiff flag is fragmentary, but enough remains to show the characteristic “Made in Germany” wording. The metal Steiff button remains secured through the ear.

This is the 20 cm catalogue size. Examples of the 20 cm Manni are recorded under Art. No. 4320,03 in earlier production and 3020/20 under the later numbering system (ref. Steiff Sortiment 1947-2003).

Condition

Good vintage condition. The mohair remains attractive overall with age-related thinning, light rubbing and some localised discolouration consistent with use and age. The ears, eyes, mouth, tail and swivel head remain intact. Some whiskers survive. The original narrow neck ribbon is present but worn. The Steiff metal button and a fragment of the yellow identification flag remain in the ear; most of the flag, including the legible article number, has been lost.

Maker

Margarete Steiff GmbH, Germany.

Date

Circa 1960s–1970s.

Height

Approximately 16 cm from foot to head. Steiff catalogue size: 20 cm.

Material

Mohair with felt mouth and ear detailing, glass or early plastic eyes and textile ribbon.

Construction

Firmly stuffed seated rabbit with swivel head, fixed forelegs and hind legs, long drooping ears, inset eyes, stitched nose, felt mouth and applied tail. Original Steiff button and partial yellow ear flag retained.

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.

(BR)