Antique Black Forest 9" Bear, a Match, Spill or Cigar Holder, Inkwell? c. 1860 dishes extra wide and usually weighted

extra wide and usually weighted so it won't tip with the rocking of the ocean waves

A fabulous decorative accent

or the Pr da boots shown with it in final photos

The long toothbrush jar might be a replacement

A full 30" x 24

Antique Black Forest 9" Bear, a Match, Spill or Cigar Holder, Inkwell? c. 1860 dishes extra wide and usually weightedAntique 19th century hand carved Black Forest (Swiss German) carved bear, either originally to hold matches and rolled paper "spills" which were tools used routinely to light fires, hearth, candles. The long rolled paper wands of sorts would give an extension to the time it takes to move fire between candles of an evening, or to start a warming fire or cook stove. This bear's open log upon which he sits would have been where those rolled papers were