Featured Tiny little Kewpie cuties

Anyone familiar with Kewpies? I'm not, but these were too cute (even with their damages) to leave in the store ...

What I've learned so far is that they were originally created by Rosie O'neill as cute cupid-like drawings around 1909, with German-made bisque dolls originating around 1912.

These are TINY ... not even 2" high ... and they look like porcelain.

I'm not finding much info on little figurines that look like mine, other than some auction results that did not provide much detail in the description of their lots.

By any chance is anyone familiar with these?

Thanks for any info or thoughts ...

 

Hi QuirkyGirl......I don't believe these are authentic Kewpie dolls. Lack of detail for one. I am a little familiar with them. The fingers on yours are different, and the molds lack quality. I don't know who made yours......some were made in Japan, but that's not my first impression with yours.

http://www.dollreference.com/kewpie_dolls_for_sale.html

I am somewhat familiar with them because I've collected dolls am still associated with an antique shop which specializes in antique dolls. We have sold many of the bisque figurines over the years....many years.

I'm not the final word, and someone else may have a different view.

 

Adorable as they are, there seems to be something a tad off about them. Compare with ones listed on eBay, and also with the print versions.

The wings, especially, are vestigial, rather than complete.

 

Thanks for that tip, Davey! I could have used this for a prop ... but it might confuse people who don't recognize it .....

 

Thank you, Judy - for that info and link ... I'll go check it out.

 

Thanks for your thoughts on these, silver
Those wings certainly are just little nubbins, aren't they?
I was looking on eBay and couldn't find any which were this small ... oops, no ... I just found this one with a label (seller actually has another similar)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-191...ermany-/151960692245?hash=item2361902615:g:q~

 

Hi again......for comparison....


https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3412262_rose-oneill-bisque-kewpie-with-a-rabbit-nr

 

Thanks again Judy ... I saw that one with the raised arm (which must have been more difficult to mold than one with the arm against the body, as mine is)
That was the same auction that I first came across in my searching, and mentioned (although, not specifically) in my original post ... I wasn't seeing much in their descriptions that was helpful to further my research ... but they sure had a lot of Kewpies ... including this one
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3412184_oneill-bisque-kewpie-with-a-white-rabbit-nr


I'm still looking for examples of later versions that resemble my two little ones.

 

It is difficult to tell from photos, but that last photo does bring up questions. If you know of any antique shop that deals in dolls, or if there is a doll show coming to your area, they could offer you a better opinion, having figures in hand.

If you find a definite yes or no, please let us know. I see a lot of "Kewpies" listed on eBay that are not the real thing. I have so many doll books, but none specifically on Kewpies.

 

Even if they're not authentic, they're adorable.

 

Too bad about the damage on the one to our right.

 

Judy...
Hola, and welcome! See how many brainiacs there are here? Including you, now!

 

Are those blue things supposed to be wings???
~
True Kewpies have wings.... No wings...not Kewpies....as far as I recall....

 

Thank you GaleriaGila for your warm welcome!!

 

The original Rose O'Neill Kewpies were so adorable that they were recreated by quite a number of companies, from quite a number of countries. I used to have some that belonged to my mother, and then I bought some in the 5&10 that had been made in Japan. When television became a normal household appliance, there was a resurgence of Kewpie popularity -- they sat on top and looked properly appreciative of
Caesar and Coca.

With or without well-defined wings, they are all kewt.

 

Judy ... Just wanted to thank you again for taking the time to find some examples of the oldest Kewpies for me to look at. I also appreciate that you shared your thoughts on these, since you have experience with dolls.

If I am able to find any new info on them, I will certainly share it.

 

Yes ... and so cute for Easter!

 

I know
That little guy lost his head at some point
But the good news is ... with my less-than-perfect eyesight, from three feet away, I don't even see the repair

 

Yes, teeny, tiny wittle blue wingettes ... wing-nubs