Doll-A-Day 2017 #111: The Kitchen Witch

  Today we're looking at a couple of dolls that are part of a whole genre. They're called Kitchen Witches.

The Kitchen Witch is a very old custom which originated in Germany, or possibly Norway.

It dates back as far as the 1500's, maybe farther. (Can you tell that the origins of the Kitchen Witch are shrouded in mystery?)

This one is the squeezey arm kind of doll. Usually they are hanging dolls,like the other one.

The Kitchen Witch is a good witch, and is meant to be kept in the kitchen, to insure that pots don't boil over,roasts don't burn,and sauces don't spill.

Why have I never thought to put one in the kitchen for Ken?!

It's supposed to be good luck to give someone a Kitchen Witch,and she usually will have a tag explaining what she's for.

This small Kitchen Witch is about 5" tall. Usually they are a little bigger.

This larger Kitchen Witch belongs to Emma. She's a more typical size.

Emma had her hanging in her bedroom for years,just because she liked her. The witch was old when Emma got her, so no telling how old she is.
  See you tomorrow for another doll.