The Kewpie doll is based on illustrations by Rosie O'Neill
in the Ladies' Home Journal in 1909. George Borgfeldt
of New York arranged with the J. D. Kestner Company,
a German company to manufacture the bisque Kewpies.
within the few years after, they had shown up in almost every
American home in one form or another.
The doll that resembled a chubby child complete with
a tummy that stuck out. She also added tiny blue wings,
a single shock of hair, and designed its hands so
they were webbed. The Kewpie doll was also noted
for its impish smile and eyes that are turned to the side.
Her creations were called Kewpies because of the strong
resemblance to pictures of Cupid the mythical matchmaker
who carries bows and arrows. He supposedly brings two
people together in love because their hearts have been struck by his arrows.

Kewpie dolls were originally made of porcelain, plaster or plastic.
They ranged in size from very small to about a foot and a half tall
. The original Kewpie dolls were later designed to look like many
different occupational workers. These dolls included gardeners,
musicians, soldiers and many others.
The original doll of yesteryear can be recognized by two distinct features.
One feature is that it has Rose O'Neill's name on its foot.
The second feature is that an original doll bears a red and
gold heart on its chest. Kestner and Jesco were just two
of the companies that produced these dolls at one time.

Another reissued version by the Cameo Company
was put out in from the mid 1950's.
One of the differences is that the reissued version
has grey eyelashes instead of the original black.
The effanbee doll company still produces and markets the
Kewpie doll in various forms today.