ABOUT THE ARTIST - ERIKA CATELLANI

The dolls Erika Catellani creates are not the usual "babies" found in children's rooms today. They are not made of plastic and do not make sounds. Their "feelings" can easily be read from their lively, natural, hand-painted faces., which are a true work of art. However, the artist's work does not stop here. Her ability to design the heads, arms and legs, which are subsequently carved from the finest maple wood, also earns Mrs. Catellani great respect.

A Visit in the Doll-Making Workshop;

After attending many doll-making courses and seminars, Erika Catellani began to create her own models. She formed the original out of a special mass and then a woodcarver sculpted the design. Mrs. Catellani could then fine tune the facial features and by the same process design her own arms and legs. In order to obtain several copies from the same model, she had bronze moulds of the designs made. This way many different heads, arms and legs could be created and each doll still have completely different look due to the clothing, hair and painting (each doll's face is hand-painted by the artist). Therefore she prevents any type of mass production and each doll receives its own character.
Erika Catellani named her dolls, Swiss Dolls. With all the top awards she has received, her already well-known dolls have now become more valuable collector's items.

Please contact us if you would like BIGGER color photographs and face close-ups.