It was Hugo Steiff who created the somersaulting bear.  He developed an indestructible winding mechanism which was registed as a utility patent of the Deutsches Reich on 14th November 1908:

"Toy figure with mechanism, featuring arms wound up by clockwork which can be made of an elastic metal hoop & which are linked with the clockwork spring shaft by means of an elastic coupling when the arm is turned in the wind-up direction & separated from the coupling when the arm is turned in the opposite direction."

Somersaulting Bear
 

This teddy bear is a genuine acrobat who can turn as many as 8 somersaults one after the other.  His clockwork mechanism is wound up by turning his right arm clockwise & simultaneously holding his left arm still.  He will then somersault all by himself. 

The bear is jointed with somersault mechanism stuffed with wood shavings & with gold-plated "Button in Ear".

This toy does not comply with the European directive covering toys (88/378/EEC/Appendix II).

Price :

£229  SOLD OUT

Limited Edition: 

2,006 worldwide

EAN:

037436

Height:  

30cm