Kewpie....a chubby little cherub with a sweet smile,..

three tufts of hair..tiny wings,

...and starfish hands was the creation of artist and illustrator Rose O'Neill.

The Kewpie has become the most recognized and copied doll the world over. Kewpies can be found in any medium made.

From 1913, Kewpie dolls were manufactured by J.D. Kestner and other German firms. They made bisque Kewpies that often had imperfections in the making.

The dolls were sometimes signed on the foot-"O'Neill". They also had a red and gold paper heart or shield on the chest and a round label on the back.

The all bisque Kewpies were made in many sizes. From 2" up to 12". The standing Kewpies had stationary legs standing together and sometimes had jointed arms. Kestner Kewpies were made with blue wings, painted features and side glancing eyes. They were made in many positions, standing, sitting and huggers. Kewpies were also made doing various things, these are called Action Kewpies.

Kewpies were made in so many forms. They were soldiers, mayor, governor, firemen and so many other characters it would take forever to list. There is even a "Kewpie Mountain" made up of 17 Kewpies.

Kestner also made Kewpie with a bisque head with glass eyes and composition toddler body. Also Kestner made a bisque head with cloth body Kewpie.

Celluloid Kewpies were made by Karl Standfuss, Saxony Germany. They were made from 2 1/2" up to the rare 22" size. The name most identified with Kewpie is Cameo. Kewpies were Cameo's hallmark of fame.

This is the back of the 22" celluloid showing the wings.

Cameo was founded in 1922 by Joseph L. Kallus. Cameo made Kewpies in composition, hard plastic and vinyl. They were made in many sizes and poses.