Dolls by Kathe Kruse, Germany, trading from early 20th century onwards

Kathe Kruse was a German dollmaker who is best known for her handmade dolls and soft toys. She was born in 1883 in Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland) and grew up in a creative family with a strong interest in art and crafts.

After studying art and sculpture, Kruse began making dolls in 1905. She was inspired by the dolls of her own childhood, which were made from traditional materials like cloth and wool rather than the more modern and commercial materials used in mass-produced dolls.

Kruse's dolls quickly gained a following, and she opened her own workshop in 1911. She began to experiment with different materials and techniques, and her dolls became known for their lifelike features, soft bodies, and expressive faces.

During World War II, Kruse's workshop was destroyed, but she continued to make dolls from her home. After the war, she reopened her workshop more... and began to train a new generation of dollmakers in her techniques.

Kathe Kruse dolls are highly sought after by collectors and are still made by the company that bears her name. less...