Let me introduce two from my collection in this post: Lisi from 2003, and Pauline from 2004, both from 'editions' limited to just 713 dolls.
Lisi is the first Himstedt doll I ever purchased. For some reason I am partial to red-haired dolls, and when I saw a photo of her, that was it...I was in love! Just look at that sweet, little face!
Lisi has lovely strawberry blonde / light red hair plaited into wee braids, and a delicate 'complexion' with the most adorable sprinkling of freckles across her nose.
She stands about 25" tall, and is made of a very dense, high quality vinyl, with a mohair and human hair wig, eyelashes, and gray/green, mouth-blown glass eyes made in Germany.
I find her clothes unusually charming as well. As you can see she has been dressed in a pair of flower print pants, that are worn beneath a dress trimmed at the cuffs and hem in eyelet lace, with a pinafore over all, and socks and leather sandals on her feet.
The dress has a pompom sewn at the neckline, the pinafore has velvet ribbon ties on either side, each with a pompom sewn at the end, and what you might not notice is that the pants are sewn in fabric that's turned 'wrong-side-out'.
There is a sweet, childlike innocence in Lisi's expression, and to me she looks much like a four or five year old child on her first day at school, a little hesitant and shy, not quite sure of what is expected of her, and a bit overwhelmed by her new surroundings. That expression is what tugged at my heart whenever I looked at her, and I felt she needed a friend, someone who could watch out for her...and so I searched and found her a 'big sister', Pauline.
Pauline's coloring is similar to Lisi's, and she has that delightful spattering of freckles, too!
[You do see the 'family resemblance', don't you?] She is so cute with her red braids twisted up into untidy twin buns, but they make her look quite a bit older and much more confident than her little sister. She is a slightly larger doll too, standing at 28".
Pauline is like a child of perhaps seven or eight, one who has already experienced the school routine, the classrooms and desks, recess and ringing bells, and homework. She is at ease in her surroundings, and can show Lisi around.
I feel so much better about little Lisi's well-being, with Pauline there to guide and watch over her...don't you?
Lisi is the first Himstedt doll I ever purchased. For some reason I am partial to red-haired dolls, and when I saw a photo of her, that was it...I was in love! Just look at that sweet, little face!
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| Sweet little Lisi |
She stands about 25" tall, and is made of a very dense, high quality vinyl, with a mohair and human hair wig, eyelashes, and gray/green, mouth-blown glass eyes made in Germany.
I find her clothes unusually charming as well. As you can see she has been dressed in a pair of flower print pants, that are worn beneath a dress trimmed at the cuffs and hem in eyelet lace, with a pinafore over all, and socks and leather sandals on her feet. The dress has a pompom sewn at the neckline, the pinafore has velvet ribbon ties on either side, each with a pompom sewn at the end, and what you might not notice is that the pants are sewn in fabric that's turned 'wrong-side-out'.
There is a sweet, childlike innocence in Lisi's expression, and to me she looks much like a four or five year old child on her first day at school, a little hesitant and shy, not quite sure of what is expected of her, and a bit overwhelmed by her new surroundings. That expression is what tugged at my heart whenever I looked at her, and I felt she needed a friend, someone who could watch out for her...and so I searched and found her a 'big sister', Pauline.
Pauline's coloring is similar to Lisi's, and she has that delightful spattering of freckles, too!
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| Pauline, Lisi's "big sister" |
Pauline is like a child of perhaps seven or eight, one who has already experienced the school routine, the classrooms and desks, recess and ringing bells, and homework. She is at ease in her surroundings, and can show Lisi around.
I feel so much better about little Lisi's well-being, with Pauline there to guide and watch over her...don't you?
Pauline's outfit is in more of a "big girl' style...and it looks as if she may have dressed herself. She wears pants, long-sleeved top, a soft fluffy sweater, blue socks, and faux fur-trimmed boots.
There are other Himstedts in my personal collection as well...
Three more large dolls:
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| BabyMo from 1990 |
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| Sidika from 2005 |
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| Enzo from 1992 |
...and two smaller "play-dolls":
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| Lottchen 2 |
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| Lottchen 1 |
From what I understand, Annette Himstedt did not have any dolls as a child, as she and her family were refugees in war-torn Europe following WWII. She began creating dolls during her adult years, with her sculpting inspired by her daughter at first, and later by the faces of other children she'd seen, as well as those depicted in paintings by artists such as Carl Larsson and Alfonso Mucha.
Himstedts are beautifully designed and expertly created dolls, and are treasures exquisite enough to become heirlooms that are handed down from generation to generation. I feel so very lucky that my sons have given me granddaughters...and so far, they love dolls too!
Squishy Dolly Hugs from Lisi, Pauline, Enzo, Baby Mo, Sidika, the Lottchen's ...and me!
-Kat
