{HISTORY}

When real-life pandas were presented to zoos in the United States and Canada as gifts from the Chinese government during the 1970s and 1980s, panda fever swept the nation as zoo-goers clamoured to see, often for the first time, these beautiful bears up close. Novelties of course, followed the excitement, and zoo gift shops stocked up on curated collections of all things panda so that mementos of the day could be carried home to commemorate the exciting event.  

In the 1970s, there was the debut of Hsing Hsing and Ling Ling at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, DC. In Canada, in the 1980s, Rong Rong and Cheng Cheng went on holiday to the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg. Both couples acted like ambassadors not only for their home country, but for worldwide conservation in general. 

Calm and docile, pandas are the gentle giants of the bear family, and in true gourmand fashion they are happy, hearty eaters, making them ideal symbols of the kitchen and the party. 

Petite and very sweet, this vintage toothpick holder was made in China sometime between the 1960s and 1980s. Featuring a pottery-style glaze and earthy colors, the holder opening with a diameter of .75" inches was meant originally to house toothpicks as a help-yourself server during mealtimes, buffets, and party platters.

Whether this toothpick holder was made in collaboration with the arrival of the giant pandas at the zoo, or it was made a decade earlier, when toothpick foods were all the rage, we might never know.

Either way, though, this little bear with his bamboo stalk and sweet expression is still such a functional worker of the kitchen. In addition to toothpicks, it is also perfect for holding chopsticks, cocktail swizzle sticks, and long matches, making it super festive for any Asian themed dinner or cocktail party. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Colors include olive green, deep teal, walnut, black, white, moss green
• Stamped on bottom with maker's mark 

{CONDITION}

In beautiful vintage condition, this toothpick holder contains no chips, cracks, spots, or staining. The glaze is smooth and shiny.

{SIZE}

Measures 2.25" inches (height) x 2.25" inches (length) x 1.25" inches (width) and weighs 3 oz.

{DONATION SUPPORTED}

This heirloom gives back! 20% of the proceeds from the sale of this toothpick holder will be donated to rare.org - an international non-profit committed to protecting, promoting, and preserving global foodways, communities, and the environment through self-sustainability and conservation.