Posts
This bun is truly designed for fun! The rabbit is 12 cm tall and made from velvet. This measurement takes into account the vertical height from his head to his feet and does not include his ears. He is begging and unjointed. His body and presentation are quite simplified, but his form is unmistakably that of a rabbit. His face comes to life with black button eyes, a pink hand embroidered nose and mouth, and clear monofilament whiskers. He is airbrushed with a few brown spots here and there. His bow and bell are original to him. Rabbit sits upon a naturally colored wooden hemisphere which is detailed with a decorative groove around its perimeter. The wooden base is really heavy and shows little wear. Rockin' rabbit retains its tiny long trailing "F" button in ear as his Steiff ID. This novelty was made in velvet in 12 and 17 cm from 1901-1917 overall.
Given its popularity, the number of items using this basic "heavy bottomed" pattern multiplied like jackrabbits in the Steiff line starting in the late 19th century. It first appeared in felt as early as 1892 and was produced over time in white, spotted white (like this tumbler), grey, black, or brown in sizes ranging from 10 to 28 cm. It was made in a number of other materials, including velvet, short pile plush, wool plush, or mohair through the end of World War I. Some came with a basket on their backs (perhaps to resemble the Easter Rabbit?), and a few of the smallest velvet versions were produced as pincushions or rattles. 
This very vertical design was also perfect to mount on the tops of wooden skittles. Steiff made rabbit skittles in both felt and velvet. Sets for the American market featured 10 pins while those for the European market had 9. These sets consisted of 8 or 9 begging rabbits and one rabbit king pin dressed in a red felt top coat and crown. All were mounted on wooden plinths with the king pin on a slightly higher platform. Felt sets appeared from 1892-1912 and the velvet ones from 1901-1916. The picture on the left is from James D. Julia; this set sold for $7,110 in 2014.
Given the history and longevity of this early begging rabbit pattern, it is not terribly unusual to find examples that never had a button as they were produced around 1904 or earlier. As most collectors are aware, Steiff debuted its now ubiquitous branding in 1904 with their "elephant" style button.
This basic bunny pattern is also a best seller for another important reason. He also represents one of Steiff's earliest, and most important licensing agreements - that of "Peter Rabbit!" in 1902, Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit became a worldwide sensation due to its simple, universal story and beautiful illustrations. Ms. Potter created a little Peter Rabbit doll and registered it in the London patent office. Despite numerous attempts, she could not find a manufacturer in England to produce her toy. Steiff got wind of this, and soon became the producer of the "official" Peter Rabbit doll for the English market. The company took their basic rabbit pattern and added a felt topcoat and slippers to his design. Steiff's Peter Rabbit appeared in the company's product line in velvet or wool plush in sizes ranging from 10 to 28 cm from about 1904-1919 overall. Today, an early and all original Steiff Peter Rabbit can easily generate big four figures at auction.
Steiffgal hopes this discussion on this great tumbling rabbit has been a windfall for you.
Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures? Let's talk! Click here to learn more!
