Ye Olde Black Bear - Market Place, Sandbach, Cheshire, UK.
N 53° 08.633 W 002° 21.751
30U E 542639 N 5888466
Could this be a rare reference on a pub sign to a dancing bear?.
Waymark Code: WMATM3
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/23/2011
Views: 2
There are many reasons why the bear may be used on a pub sign but few certainties.
Where a bear is depicted, brown or black, it will often be a reflection of the "sport" of bear baiting indicating that this was something that could be seen in the vicinity. A bear was chained to a post and dogs set on it. For this reason where a bear is seen in the picture chained to a post there can be some certainty that this is the origin of the sign. UNLESS there is a heraldic connection to a local landowner or other dignitary of the day. The bear or bear and ragged staff was often a feature of coats of arms. The colour of the bear may have been significant. Or may have been simply a random choice.
This one appears to be specifically illustrative of a dancing bear. The bear is muzzled.
Name of Artist: Not known.
Date of current sign: Not known.
Date of first pub on site: Not known.
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