Restoration

Rigoletto

Found on ebay in December 2017, Rigoletto is a 50cm Humpback Bear.

He has no trade-mark.
Its characteristics are reminiscent of a humpback STEIFF, as it was manufactured between 1904 and 1950.
The remains of the nose and the mouth have the same design as the models from 1905.

Steps of restoration

1- Original state of Rigoletto

1- Original state of Rigoletto

The back is unstitched and roughly patched up.
The back is filled in with vegetable fibre and then closed with a ladder point.

2- There is no more face

2- There is no more face

The eyes are missing and must have been either black with boot buttons or clear glass painted on the back.

3- The soles are damaged

3- The soles are damaged

He has an extremely dirty fur, torn ears, a missing palm and soles.

4- The palms are weakened

4- The palms are weakened

The velvet of the palms is preserved and repaired.
The soles are redone in a velvet identical to that of the ears.
The claws are embroidered on the remains of the old ones.

5- Reconstruction of the muzzle

5- Reconstruction of the muzzle

The nose and the mouth are embroidered on the traces still visible.

6- Portrait

6- Portrait

The ears are removed, repaired, and then sewn back by a ladder point.

7- Bear restored

7- Bear restored

Ancient eyes made of painted glass, are set where the original eyes left their mark.

8- Rigoletto, the humpback bear

8- Rigoletto, the humpback bear

Once the restorations are complete, the fur remains to be cleaned by rubbing it with a cloth dampened with micellar water.
After drying, the bear is brushed with a small curry comb.

Your bear must be restored ?

How much does a restoration cost?