What do you think this is used for?

[mani]

This may just be about my thing, but if you have things that are a bit cryptic, please feel free to post yours.

This was a $1 Op Shop buy.. Pretty ugly, but I'm a yoga teacher and so had to have it as this bear looks like he's doing shambhavi and prana mudras while sitting in titaliasana. Yogi Bear!
He'll end up in the garden clutching some air plants, most likely, but I'd like to know what is it with the arms.. the rest of him is all detailed, but the 'hands just curve and the arms look as though they have a use.. perhaps holding something? He's about 5 inches high and he's made in Japan.

Any ideas? Norachan is this a 'thing' from your neck of the woods?

 

[Silver Crazy]

Chopstick holder..and a fit one if he does yoga.

Got a similar one some here buried in boxes..I will have to find it.

 

[Norachan]

No, I've never seen anything like that before. He is quite splendid though. The only bear shaped chopstick holders I see are more like chopstick rests, like the ones below.

 

[debbila]

How cute - a resting bear for resting chopsticks!

 

[mani]

Yes, I'm pretty sure mine isn't a chopstick holder.. I've only seen the resting ones like Norachan pictured.
I may never know

 

[mani]

I found this:

So I think I've found the answer? Doesn't work at all well with out much longer toothbrushes, but makes sense with the short ones.

 

[Norachan]

Mr Husband says it looks like something that was made in a Japanese ceramic factory for foreign export, rather than something that would have been popular over here.

Could it have been an old cell phone holder?

 

[mani]

No, the 'paws' curve in too much. I do think it's the toothbrush thing.

 

[Silver Crazy]

No, the 'paws' curve in too much. I do think it's the toothbrush thing.

Could be right there thinking about it..mine has same curved paws for lying something horizontally but reclining or sitting against a tree stump..all greens and browns.

 

[susanm9006]

Sort of a decorative kitchen thing. Wooden spoon holder?

 

[KarenKat]

I’m pretty sure that was for demonic summoning.

 

[Willowy]

This seller on eBay says it's a toothbrush holder from the '50s. I don't know if they KNOW that or are guessing, but it's the same bear.
Vintage Ceramic Bear Toothbrush Holder Made In Japan | eBay

 

[Talien]

Looks like something used for frightening small children.

 

[Kat0121]

I like it whatever it is. I think it's cute then again I love bears

 

[MoochNNoodles]

My first thought was a pen holder. Or a toothbrush holder.

 

[Kieka]

Depending on size, I'd go with toothbrush or cooking spoon holder.

 

[AbbysMom]

Ok, I'll play along.

Everyone, meet what we call "The hoof".

My BIL bought this in Brazil and gave it to my husband as a gift one year for his birthday. We assume it is some type of flask and when we asked him he said he didn't know, he just thought it was cool.

 

[Willowy]

Haha, that's crazy! Yeah, looks like a bottle wrapped in the skin of an entire cow's leg, so probably an alcohol flask or oil bottle and the rest is just decorative.

If you hit an intruder with it, would it feel like getting kicked by a cow?

 

[mani]

This seller on eBay says it's a toothbrush holder from the '50s. I don't know if they KNOW that or are guessing, but it's the same bear.
Vintage Ceramic Bear Toothbrush Holder Made In Japan | eBay

Well sleuthed W Willowy ! I think we can go with that.

Haha, that's crazy! Yeah, looks like a bottle wrapped in the skin of an entire cow's leg, so probably an alcohol flask or oil bottle and the rest is just decorative.

If you hit an intruder with it, would it feel like getting kicked by a cow?

Sounds very feasible.

 

[mani]

OK.. the new, improved use for Yogi Toothbrush Bear:
Yogi Bromiliad Bearing Bear

Ok, I'll play along.

Everyone, meet what we call "The hoof".

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My BIL bought this in Brazil and gave it to my husband as a gift one year for his birthday. We assume it is some type of flask and when we asked him he said he didn't know, he just thought it was cool.

I don't get the screws in the hooves? Everything else makes sense...