Just The Sweetest Victorian Bronze Table Match Holder

This darling bear is gilt bronze and is a table match / vesta holder. He stands with his large feet set amongst a bed of bronze flowers, with a crumpled Top Hat on his head, a basket on his back for holding the matches and possibly was used as the strike and what I think is the best of finishing touches his small glass eyes. The Bronze is raised on a black rectangular base which I am certain is some natural stone. It is very finely cast with exquisite detail from the fur on his face to the thicker fur of his body and the claws on his feet, and those wonderful flowers. I do think he did originally have a walking stick upon which his paws would have rested, but sadly this has been lost over time. Although he is unlikely to ever be used as a Table Vesta again, he would make the most special desk or dressing table tidy for all those little bits and bobs you don't know what to do with.... and he may have lost his walking stick but his ready to charmingly grasp alternatives as can be seen with the dry flower.