|
chapple
bears
with Sterling Silver Collars
Beryl Chapple, born in 1940, was a highly
accomplished Royal Academy trained painter, based in Cornwall, who
gained world-wide recognition through her life-sized dog portraits, TV
appearances and the publication of her book Dogs Dogs Dogs by Thames &
Hudson in London and New York.
Running parallel to her painting was her passion for collecting old
toys, especially teddy bears. Eventually, she developed a desire to
recreate bears of her own, resulting in the birth of ‘chapple bears’ in
the summer of 1995.
Beryl really enjoyed the inventiveness, craftsmanship and artistry of
her bear making, and as with her painting, aimed to achieve the very
highest quality of workmanship. Because of other commitments she could
only produce small numbers of bears, using only the very finest
materials and trimmings; the purest mohair, the best components and
fabrics, with fillings of hard stuffed wood shavings etc.
Made mainly on commission, these bears rapidly became increasingly
sought after by serious collectors. They are instantly recognisable by
their original style and distinctive sterling silver collars, hand made
by a leading West Country silversmith and hallmarked in London. The
bears’ profiles clearly show the influence and inspiration gained by
Beryl from her love of her Airedale dogs and these charismatic creations
soon became affectionately known as “Beardales”!
Very sadly Beryl’s beloved artist husband of 28 years, Michael, died in
2004 and Beryl died in 2008, both far too young and at the height of
their artistic successes!
We have been extremely fortunate to be able to obtain three of her
fabulous,
very rare and highly collectable bears and are now able to offer these
for sale,
together with their certificates and full provenance.
We have been extremely
fortunate to be able to obtain three of her fabulous,
very rare and highly collectable bears and are now able to offer these
for sale,
together with their certificates and full provenance.
Please click on thumbnails for more details
|
