Bear Pit Collection

Bern Zoo, Bear Garden. Postcard sent on 19 June 1913
660380 Bern Zoo, Bear Garden. Postcard sent on 19 June 1913. by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; © Look and Learn

Man devoured by bears after falling into their pit, the Barengraben, in Bern, Switzerland (engraving)
6000498 Man devoured by bears after falling into their pit, the Barengraben, in Bern, Switzerland (engraving) by French School

Bears baiting boys (chromolitho)
972416 Bears baiting boys (chromolitho) by Andre, Richard (1834-1907); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bears baiting boys)

Bear Pit, London Zoological Gardens, Regents Park (engraving)
560455 Bear Pit, London Zoological Gardens, Regents Park (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bear Pit, London Zoological Gardens)

A young American woman in a bear pit (colour litho)
2779772 A young American woman in a bear pit (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A young American woman in a bear pit)

The Bear-Pit at Bern (engraving)
727677 The Bear-Pit at Bern (engraving) by Swiss School, (19th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Bear-Pit at Bern. Illustration for Switzerland (Blackie, 1881).); © Look and Learn

Bear Pit, London Zoological Gardens, Regents Park (coloured engraving)
560454 Bear Pit, London Zoological Gardens, Regents Park (coloured engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bear Pit, London Zoological Gardens)

Two bears playing in a trough in the bear pit of the Museum of Natural History (engraving
2334809 Two bears playing in a trough in the bear pit of the Museum of Natural History (engraving) by Unknown Artist, (19th century); (add.info.: The bear pit at the Museum of Natural History)

The bear pit of the Museum of Natural History: bear on the back grabbing a piece of meat
2334808 The bear pit of the Museum of Natural History: bear on the back grabbing a piece of meat, two bears playing on a tree an another one eating (engraving) by Unknown Artist

The Beargarden, Southwark, London (litho)
5910507 The Beargarden, Southwark, London (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Beargarden or Bear Pit was the facility for bear-baiting, bull-baiting)

The Bear-Pit at Berne, Switzerland (engraving)
1612812 The Bear-Pit at Berne, Switzerland (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Bear-Pit at Berne, Switzerland)

Bear-Baiting in a Stuart Bear Pit, c1934. Illustration showing English mastiff dogs attacking a chained bear, a favourite amusement of the people in Stuart times

Bankside, Southwark, London, England, seen here in Shakespeares day, showing The Bear Garden, a place used for bear-baiting

Essay Stone Brush Scraper Bear Pit 1851 Adolph von Menzel
Essay on Stone with Brush and Scraper: The Bear Pit, 1851. Adolph von Menzel (German, 1815-1905). Lithograph

The Bear-Pit at Berne, Switzerland

The Bear Pits, Memphis, Tennessee, c. 1900-20 (b / w photo)
XOS867943 The Bear Pits, Memphis, Tennessee, c.1900-20 (b/w photo) by Detroit Publishing Co. (1880-1920); Private Collection; American, out of copyright

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"Step into the Wild: Exploring the Enigmatic Bear Pits of History" Journey back in time to witness the captivating tales hidden within the walls of bear pits. From Bern Zoo's notorious Barengraben to London's iconic Bear Garden, these historic attractions have left an indelible mark on our collective imagination. In a postcard sent on 19 June 1913, tragedy strikes as a man meets his untimely fate, devoured by bears after an unfortunate fall into their pit at Bern, Switzerland. An engraving immortalizes this chilling event, forever etching it into history. But not all stories from they are filled with horror. A chromolitho captures a scene where bears playfully bait boys, showcasing the lighter side of these interactions. Similarly, a young American woman finds herself amidst adventure and excitement within a bear pit - depicted in vibrant color lithography. London Zoological Gardens' Regents Park boasts its own enchanting bear pit. Through engravings and colored engravings alike, we catch glimpses of two bears engaging in playful antics or savoring a mouth-watering piece of meat grabbed from behind. Beyond Europe's borders lies Southwark's Beargarden in London - brought to life through lithography - offering visitors thrilling spectacles that captivated audiences for generations. As we delve deeper into history, Stuart-era England reveals its own fascination with bear-baiting. Witnessed through c1934 imagery depicting intense moments inside one such Stuart Bear Pit. These snapshots from different times and places invite us to reflect upon humanity's complex relationship with these majestic creatures. The bear pits stand as testaments to both our curiosity and our capacity for cruelty; they remind us that even within confined spaces like museums or gardens, wild spirits can still roam free. So step closer and immerse yourself in this mesmerizing world where humans once shared intimate encounters with nature’s formidable giants.