Doll, Kewpie

Born of the imagination of American artist Rose Cecil O'Neill (1874-1944) in 1909, Kewpie is a bisque doll that was first manufactured in 1913 by the German company J. D. Kestner. Its look was inspired by images of Cupid, the Roman god of love. Kewpie first appeared as an illustration in women's magazines where it humorously incarnated the noble defender of social justice. It soon went on to become more than just an illustration but a storybook character, the mascot for Jell-O and Kellogg's, and a decorative image on a wide range of household products. Today, over a century later, many companies around the world still use its cute little face to boost sales.