Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Vintage Minnesota Kewpie Doll and Loon Trinket Box

Vintage Kewpie Doll and Loon Dish
from Minnesota

When I was probably about 7 years old, my grandma spent some time in the Brainerd, MN area, Lake Mille Lacs, and brought back this little kewpie doll for me. For years, I kept it on a shelf in the bedroom I shared with my sister, and it's moved with me everyplace I've gone - I think it's the only childhood keepsake I have, and it's in remarkably like-new condition!



I've always liked the cute little beaded leather clothes and moccasins of the doll. He also has a really cute feathery mohawk. (I had to risk deer ticks to get that birch bark from our woods, I want you to know! Oh the lengths to which a blogger goes to stage a photo!)


The little highly-glazed ceramic trinket dish is something I found at a thrift store recently, but it must be from the same era - mid 1950s?  It looks like new. It was probably donated to the thrift store by someone my age who had kept it since childhood and decided to clean out.

The loon button on the top is like a picture covered with resin or something. Very pretty. If you've ever been to a northern Minnesota lake in the summertime, you've undoubtedly heard the hauntingly beautiful call of the loon at dawn and dusk.


***


What they're really saying, of course, is...

'Marco...'

'...Polo.'


***

'Rosemary Mint'
All-natural, Homemade Vegan Soap

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25 comments:

Denise said...

So glad you shared.

podso said...

I found a kewpie doll at a vintage shop a few months ago with a little bed and baby layer (is that the right word?) I had plans to rework it into pink rather than yellow. Even had a little crocheted dress. It sent me on a whole research thing about them as they looked so familiar from when I was a child! Enjoyed seeing yours!

MadSnapper said...

in the 50's I had an Indian doll, a female but not a cupie doll, she had very similar clothes to this one, with long pigtails. i have not one thing from the past,just a few dishes that were my grandmothers which i posted. when i moved here in 1984 i brought everything i owned in the back of a small nissan pickup truck. left every thing behind in a storage shed i could no longer pay for... i got the dishes in 90 when mother died.

Unknown said...

Love that you still have these things from your childhood. I think we should all have a little something like that from our past in our possession... it's just a great reminder of being a kid!

Kim said...

Thanks for the flashback. I haven't seen a kewpie doll in years. And it is in great condition.

Trace4J said...

What sweet treasures. :)

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI Judy I loved hearing the calls of the Loons. It reminded me of one time I was with a group in Iceland and I saw 1 Loon and hear it. I thought I could make that same call so I tried. The rest of the group thought I had lost the plot, however it was not long before I had many loons swimming towards me, all calling. The group were not laughing at me then! thanks for sharing. Margaret

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

Love your beautiful treasures especially your kewpie doll!!

Susie said...

How adorable that you have that little doll , that your grandmother gave you. I wish I had kept something from my childhood. The loon box, makes me think of the touristy stuff I used to get for my mom. She always liked it. Hope your 4th is wonderful. xoxo,Susie

Debra Hawkins said...

I love this post. I love Kewpie dolls. I always look for them at thrift stores and vintage shops.

Ruth Kelly said...

You doll is so dark - love the clothes.

TexWisGirl said...

love the lakes and loons of minn! :)

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

Cute post! :)

Terri D said...

I don't have any childhood keepsakes left. Being the oldest, all of my things were passed down, and passed down again. Sure wish I had my original Barbie, with the black & white bathing suit. Your keepsake cupie is very special, and how great to find the trinket box!!

Linda O'Connell said...

Thank you for stopping by ny blog. I'llbe bag to visit again.Please sign up to follow me.

Muffy's Marks said...

The kewpie doll sure brought back memories. Yours is in remarkably good condition. As I remember the faces were made of a very thin plastic and dented quit easily!! Good job taking care of your things!!!

Olive said...

Your doll is darling Judy.

Judy S. said...

Gosh, now you've got me wondering whatever happened to my kewpie doll. Don't you just love loons? I love the way they carry their babies on their back.

Chatty Crone said...

I have to say that I remember seeing them too years ago. A lot of memories. I'm glad you still have it. I liked the loons talking to each other too. sandie

hawknitr13 said...

i remember my dad's parents, we called them Babi & Deda (Czech for gma & gpa) taking my sister, brother & me on a vacation to Brainerd to visit friends of theirs who lived on a lake. that's where i tried to learn to water ski, but failed miserably because the force of the boat scared me! as soon as i got up, i let go of the tow rope! i still remember that vividly in my memory! love the loon video! thanks for sharing!
^)^ linda

starmoth said...

The loon was a lovely way to start my day. Thank you.

Amy Burzese said...

How special that you still have that doll. I have a raggedy stuffed bear.

Empty Nester said...

I have never been to Minnesota but it is on my list of places I'd like to visit. In the summer, of course. LOL

Deborah said...

I thought you were clearing out...not bringing more home. Lol!! The doll is nice to have from your childhood. :-)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

I love your little doll! I still have my teddy bear that my grandmother bought for me when I was born (and the teapot that was bought for the occasion!). Isn't it nice to have such "compact" childhood treasures to hold onto - instead of some huge thing?!

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