Sasha Morgenthaler’s dolls

Sasha dolls represent the spirit of children of all races and cultures. We take another look at this mid-century classic design.

Sasha dolls were created by Sasha Morgenthaler, who lived from 1893 to 1975, in Switzerland. Morgenthaler wanted her dolls to have expressions capable of interpretation by their young owners. The dolls were consciously neither happy nor sad, rather having a look that was more wistful, that could capture many moods. The faces were originally hand-painted by the artist herself, with bold abstract strokes – a style that was suggestive, not precise.

Morgenthaler’s vision was to create dolls that represented the spirit of children of all races and cultures, during their age of innocence. A protégé of Paul Klee, she was active in European artistic and social movements.

A line up of Trendon Sasha, Gregor, Cora, and Caleb dolls.

The artist began doll-making with her studio dolls. From the 1940s until her death, Morgenthaler worked in her studio to create individual 20-inch tall dolls … of cloth, gypsum, and plastic. These dolls are museum-quality works of art, which can sell for large sums: commensurate with their quality and scarcity.

Sasha Morgenthaler with one of her studio dolls.

Classes were held in the Zurich studio, where students could create their own Sasha dolls, under the direct supervision of the artist. These dolls generally had cloth bodies, and pressed cloth faces, which would be painted by the students. These so-called course dolls, correctly authenticated, can sell for prices in the low thousands of dollars.

Studio portrait of Sasha Morgenthaler working on some Sasha doll heads, while a fully-assembled Gregor looks on.

As these original dolls were too expensive for most families. Morgenthaler’s dream was to make a less-costly doll with universal appeal. In the mid 1960s she developed the 16-inch tall vinyl playdolls, manufactured in Germany and England, that became so popular around the world. Their skin colorings were chosen to represent all the children of the world, and they had individually hand-painted faces with receptive expressions, to reflect whatever mood its child might give it.

An early Götz Gregor “no nose” doll, School Boy

The early German dolls, made by Götz, can be identified by circular markings “Sasha Serie” on the backs and necks. The very early dolls had distinctive faces with small flat noses, sometimes known as “no nose” dolls. Later Götz dolls had more pronounced noses, but had no philtrum (the groove between the nose and the upper lip). Later dolls, from around 1968, had a philtrum added.

A Götz “no philtrum” Sasha Doll, in the classic brown cord yoke dress, versions of which were worn across all editions of the dolls.

The German vinyl dolls were manufactured from 1964 to 1970. Most of the clothing styles of these dolls were based on those created by Morgenthaler for her studio dolls.

An early Trendon Gingham Sasha doll, made after 1968 – when the philtrum was added

Sasha dolls were made in England by Frido/Trendon from 1965 to 1986. Molds were re-cast over the 21-year manufacturing period and dolls changed subtly over the years. Due to the long production period, the English Sasha is the most familiar to collectors, this doll is based on Morgenthaler’s Type III head and face.

Trendon’s Cora doll

Limited Edition Kiltie Sasha doll, from later in the Trendon production. This doll has a human hair wig, Sasha dolls were mostly rooted with synthetic hair.

Two Trendon baby dolls

A later Götz toddler, Elke. The toddlers were produced for a brief period, by simply replacing the usual bent legs of the babies with straight toddler legs – allowing the dolls to stand.

A Trendon blonde Sasha, dressed by Diana Lemieux (aka Matilda Pink) is joined by a vintage Steiff dachshund.

The manufacturer Uranium of Switzerland tried to cash in on the popularity of Sasha, with miniature versions, called Moni. They are 8-inch tall vinyl dolls, with poor quality vinyl bodies and generic sculpts.

The faces of the Moni dolls were intended to mimic Sasha dolls. These ‘mini Sashas’ have factory screened paint, whereas the dolls they copy were hand painted.

Fashion Doll Agency, Kaori, wears an outfit from FDA’s Generation 2 doll, Lou. The Fashion Doll Agency dolls‘ neutral expressions, and impressionistic face ups, share much in common with classic Sasha. It’s as if these vintage child dolls have suddenly grown up, and entered the world of haute couture.

Gregor, a blond baby boy, and Sasha in a publicity still from Trendon

Trendon baby dolls. The boys were blond and the girls had dark hair, their sex was subtly indicated in vinyl.

A duo of Gingham Sasha dolls in blonde and brunette.

Some rough and tumble with two Gregor Denims dolls.

Some of the outfits available for Sasha

Clothing designated for Sasha and Gregor

Gregor’s London clothes

A baby outfit