The Depiction of Bears in History: The Beast Revealed in Art and Artifacts of the SCA Timeframe

Introduction

Bears have been known throughout history as the devourer of man, the scourge of the wilds, and other titles noted for their apex predatory nature of mankind.  These animals were often revered by early societies, and later on through the SCA time period, continued to represent strength and power.

Throughout the years bears have been portrayed as protectors, as adversaries, as holy companions, and even as soldiers.  From the provocative to the whimsical, the bear is always with us in many art forms preserved in museums throughout the world.  The below is a collection of images of these creatures throughout the time frame of the Society for Creative Anachronism; from the fall of the Roman Empire to the death of Queen Elizabeth I.

It is important to note that this post will update from time to time as more images of bears are found.

The 4th Century (301-400)

A bronze Balsamarium, or a vessel used for holding balsm, from the Roman or Byzantine era, circa 4th Century A.D.  Private collection--image and description found from Sotheby's Art Auction (December 2007).

Another vessel in the shape of a bear from the Roman or Byzantine era, 4th century.  From the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Medieval Art Department)

5th Century (401-500)

Fifth century Byzantine mosaic of Ktisis, the personification of the act of generous donation or foundation.  The mosaic includes a bear, a lion, a leopard, and a donkey.  Preserved at the Beiteddine Palace in Lebanon.

6th Century (501-600)

Hogback monuments with bears.  Brompton-in-Allertonshire, England.  6th Century

7th Century (601-700)

Oland Die depicting Germanic Warrior fighting Bears. Torslunda, Danemark.  7th century

8th Century (701-800)

Viking Bear carved in Jet. Yorkshire, England.  8th Century CE

11th Century (1001-1100)

Bear depicted in the Baux Tapestry being attacked by a warrior.  Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux in Bayeux, Normandy, France.  11th century.

12th Century (1101-1200)

A man teaches the alphabet to a trained bear.  Trinity College, MS 0.4.7, fol. 75. 12th century.

13th Century (1201-1300)

Bear, English Bestiary (Harley 4751), author unknown.  Housed at the British Library.  13th century.

Bear blowing a horn. The Book of Hours; made in England at the end of the thirteenth century.

The 14th Century (1301-1400)

Bear depicted as the Hellmouth in a richly illuminated 14th century German homily.  Scan from The Walters Museum.

Detail of a marginal illumination of a bear-scribe writing on a scroll, from the Bohun Psalter and Hours, England, second half of the 14th century.

A performing bear and a man holding a stick in a scholastic miscellany (British Library Burnley 275, fol. 359v), c. 1309-1316.

A man performs with a dancing bear (fol. 76r), The Romance of Alexander (Bodl. 264), 1338-1344.

A bear suckling two cubs (at the feet of Pope Eugenius IV) C. 1340

The bear, the stork, and the lute player (Ms. 34, fol. 172a)  Missal, Bologna ca. 1389-1404 (LA, The J. Paul Getty Museum.  CA. 1389-1404.

Initial word-panel Shir (song) inhabited by a unicorn and bear, in the "Duke of Sussex's German Pentateuch" (Germany, 14th century): London, British Library, MS Additional 15282, f. 296v.

The 15th Century (1401-1500)

Bear in the margins of the Grandes Chroniques de France created in 1460 in France. Chateauroux, Bibliothèque Municipale, Ms. 5 (B. 244), fol. 171v.  Photo courtesy of Medieval Animal Data Network on Facebook.

Diebold Schilling the Younger - Spiezer Chronik (15th century)

The 16th Century (1501-1600)

St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 357, f. 279 (St Gall and his companion bear). Pontifical-Missal of the St. Gallen Abbot Diethelm Blarer (1530-1564). St Gall, 1555.

Thierbuch, Konrad Gesner, 1563.