How do you date a Kathe Kruse doll?
Kathe Kruse dolls are usually signed with their date of manufacture on their right foot–in this case, it says “Mai 85”, which in German means May 1985. On antique dolls, these dates and signatures are many times illegible, or rubbed away with time.
Who is Kathe Kruse?
Käthe Kruse, born Katharina Simon (17 September 1883 in Dambrau – 19 July 1968 in Murnau am Staffelsee) was a notable pioneer of German doll-making and went on to establish manufacturing principles which persist to this day.
What is a Waldorf doll?
A Waldorf doll is based on the principles of Waldorf education which seek to enliven a child’s imagination. Waldorf dolls are typically handmade of natural fibers, usually with cotton knit skin and stuffed with wool, crafted using traditional dollmaking techniques which originated in Europe.
Where are Kathe Kruse dolls made?
All of the baby and girl dolls and all of the soft dolls are made in Jelgava, Latvia at a factory owned and operated by Käthe Kruse. The dolls for collectors are made in Donauwörth, Germany, where the Käthe Kruse headquarters is located.
What is special about Waldorf dolls?
The simple face of a Waldorf doll allows the child’s own imaginative play to set the emotion of the baby. Further the soft dolls are pleasing to touch and comfortable to snuggle. In these ways, the dolls nourish the senses while allowing (rather than stimulating) imaginative play.
Are Waldorf dolls worth it?
Absolutely worth it “They are traditionally stuffed with wool and smell a bit sweet. They also warm with your body heat so they are wonderfully snugly. The materials are expensive and they are also time consuming to make — most doll makers end up making a few dollars an hour when it’s all said and done.”
Are Waldorf dolls safe?
I always recommend a Waldorf Blanket Doll as the perfect first doll for a baby, and up to the age of two. The cotton flannel body is warm and soft, and nourishing to a baby’s developing senses. The hands and feet invite gumming and chewing, and the materials are safe and non-toxic.
