I know I am sometimes critical of dolls. It’s not that I don’t understand that they can be art, it’s just that I mostly find dolls to be off-putting. But every so often, Etsy recommends something way outside my comfort level that is nonetheless too outstanding to resist. Today is one of those days.

These are the stunning sculptures, shadowboxes, and yes, art dolls by FriedericyDolls, the brainchild of artists Lucia & Judith Friedericy.

“A childhood love for making dolls and puppets and an educational and professional background in theatre and fashion design all came together twenty years ago when I combined my interests and began a business of “dolls as art”. These whimsical figures are sculpted in porcelain and paper clay on a wire armatured body. The costumes are made from vintage textiles, lace, and silks.” -Lucia Friedericy

The Friedericys take as their inspiration characters from literature and fantasy, and their execution of those characters is nothing short of masterful. I’m especially intrigued by the figures that are half-in/half-out of their shadowboxes. I hope you are as charmed as I!

All images property of Lucia & Judith Friedericy/Freidericy Dolls, used with permission.