O'Neill Kewpie Dolls

Rose O'Neill had no children of her own, and so the Kewpies were her children, in a way. When children begged for a Kewpie they could hold, after following them in cartoon and in verse, she obliged. Rose journeyed to Germany to give birth to the Kewpie phenomenon. Joseph Kallas designed the first Kewpie doll. Rose liked his designs so well; she gave him all rights to manufacture her Kewpie dolls.

His Cameo Company still makes Kewpies. Rose O'Neill had great input in the original Kewpie dolls. You will find her full name or just O'Neill on the foot of some Kewpie dolls. Her name is forever linked to the Kewpie name. Original Kewpie dolls were made in Germany, of bisque. Dolls continue to be made in some of the original molds. Other things they have been made of are Wedgwood, and soap, among the many.