Carousel Bears

The Dentzel workshop was the most prolific American carver of bears. They were carved in both jumping and prancing poses, though they were always functionally jumpers. They typically came in pairs or trios.

Looff sold an unusual teddy bear figure, with a swiveling head. Only five are known to exist, and it is theorized that the figures were not carved by Looff employees but instead commissioned from an outside source. 

Allan Herschell produced a standing polar bear, believed to be one-of-a-kind, which sold at a Guernsey's auction for $121,000 in December of 1989.

Mexican carousel carvers produced polar bears as well, which are typically attributed to Luis Ortega and his sons. French carvers Henri and Jacques Mathieu carved a handful of of polar bear figures. The English also created bears, though they often more closely resembled wild boars due to their short snouts and stubby legs.

Modern manufacturer Carousel Works produced a variety of bears, including black bears, polar bears, and pandas, some of which were carved in the Dentzel style.