Biography of Gotz Doll Artist SYLVIA NATTERER

According to her website, *Sylvia Natterer* was born in *Obertsdorf*, *Switzerland* in 1949.1 There, she attended school and took studies in *Montreux* and *Lausanne*, *Switzerland* from 1956 to 1970.1 Shortly thereafter, between 1970 and 1975, Sylvia worked as a creative design teacher teaching students how to make puppets.7 She first began to create her one of a kind masterpieces in either wood composition or resin in 1972; these dolls were sold specifically to museums and private collectors.1 In 1973, the first of four children, a girl, were born; sadly, she was so ill that Sylvia gave up her teaching career to care for her.10 Per the 2001 Götz Doll Catalog, "Her first dolls were made as toys for her daughter, Fanny."7 When Fanny's little brother came along, Sylvia then designed a special baby doll just for Fanny.10

In 1975, Sylvia moved from *Switzerland* to *Munich*, *Germany*; during this time, she made dolls of porcelain from clay molds she created herself.1 In 1979, she happened to meet *Käthe Kruse's* famous daughter, *Hanne Adler-Kruse*; a friendship formed between the two which led Sylvia to produce two dolls for the *Käthe Kruse* company.1 While in *Munich*, Sylvia also shared a doll shop with her friend and fellow doll artist *Elisabeth Pongratz.*1 In 1982, Sylvia began designing her special dolls from porcelain moulds.10 Sylvia became inspired to create the first of her baby dolls in 1988 from her own "sweet, round, and enchanting little babys."10 In 1988, Sylvia formed a collaborative partnership with Götz. It was during this time she released a limited line of handpainted and dressed dolls exclusively for *The Toy Shoppe* in *Richmond*, *Virginia*. For more information on this special and unique collection, please see the section below.

In 1989, Sylvia's Götz collection consisted of 14" posable baby dolls and 20" posable dolls.10 Per Sylvia Natterer, "Annual Play doll designs for the Götz company/Germany for about 10 different doll - types in about 30 different variations."1 In 1990, this collection expanded with the addition of a 25.5" soft-bodied, posable (neck and shoulders) doll.10

In 1991, Sylvia moved to *Vils* in *Tyrol, Austria* near the *Füssen* where she resides with her family in a home with a studio she personally designed.1 Per Sylvia, her studio consists of three rooms; "One is in use for experimental works in paper and wool, the second is for porcelain works, mould building, firing, painting, sewing and fixing the dolls. The third room is an art gallery for contemporary art and musical performances." Sylvia continued her collaboration with Götz through the 1990s and early 2000's until their partnership ended on December 31, 2003.1 Beginning in 1999, Sylvia designed a collection of dolls for *White Balloon* company in Spain; this line ended (along with Götz's) also on December 31, 2003.1 In 1998, Sylvia experimented with creating dolls from a combination of black porcelain and Tibetan paper.1 In January of 2004, the doll manufacturer *Zwergnase* took over production of Sylvia's "FANOUCHE AND HER FRIENDS" doll line. Sylvia's current collection is produced by doll manufacturer *Petitcollin*. Finally, in the 1990s, Sylvia partnered with doll company *Franklin Mint* to produce her "Franklin Heirloom Dolls."11

Sylvia's widely successful designer doll lines have worn her numerous awards and recognition as a world renown doll artisan; her collections have been exhibited in numerous countries across the globe.1 In addition, she is a member of *NIADA* (National Institute of American Doll Artists); *VEP* (Verband Europäischer Puppenkünstler), and *BKV* (Bayerischer Kunstgewerbeverein).1

## *Exclusive "Sylvia Natterer Design" Collection*

Prior to designing her official 1989 Götz Collection, Sylvia agreed to handpaint and dress a special, exclusive line of vinyl dolls specifically for the owners, *Danny* and *Barrie Shapiro*, of the *The Toy Shoppe* in *Richmond, Virginia.*9 Danny and Barrie, who had ordered and purchased many of Sylvia's original porcelain artist dolls directly from her booth at the Nurnberg Toy Fair, expressed interest in promoting her new line of vinyl Götz dolls through a special, extremely low limited edition collection of handpainted dolls designed just for them.9 According to Sylvia, Mr. Götz Senior agreed to this arrangement as it served as free advertisement for their upcoming 1989 Götz Collection; Götz would supply the vinyl doll bodies from molds Sylvia designed, which Sylvia would then paint and dress.9

These collector dolls, distinguishable today by their handpainted facial features, human hair wigs, and specially created outfits, were only available for purchase at *The Toy Shoppe* in *Richmond*, *Virginia*. Each doll came with an original, signed, blue "SYLVIA NATTERER DESIGN" tag (that also acted as the doll's original *Certificate of Authenticity)* within which is the following information:

> The name of this doll is \_\_\_. It is number \_\_\_ of \_\_\_ pieces. This doll has been designed, hand painted and clothed by myself. The wig is of real hair or mohair. The whole doll is my design. The vinyl parts were made especially for me by the Götz factory in Germany. I sign and date each of my dolls on the back of their neck. --Sylvia Natterer
>
>

*Note: It was also during this time that Sylvia designed and introduced her first baby dolls.8*

* *Did you know Götz also supplied doll bodies like it did for Sylvia for Robin Holland's "Native American STARSHINE DOLLS" doll line?] If you would like to learn more about these special dolls, please click blue link to be redirected.*

## *Götz Collection*

In 1988, Sylvia designed her first Götz Collection. This collection, titled "FANOUCHE AND HER FRIENDS," centered around a curly-haired, redheaded girl "FANOUCHE," after whom the doll line is named. In 1990, *FANOUCHE* along with her friends, *SOPHIE, AMELIE, MARCEL, CHERRY, DENIS, JOY, LISETTE, MONA, ROMINA, MADLEINE, LANETTE,* and *EMMANUEL* would hit the market and become an instant success. In fact, not only were Sylvia's dolls an immense success, but this type of ***collaborative designer-manufacturer relationship*** also proved so successful that it would forever change the way in which *Götz Puppenmanufaktur* would both *design* and *manufacture* its dolls in the future!

You will find a variety of different doll body types on Sylvia's collection; some feature multi-articulated, jointed vinyl doll bodies (such as GELENKSTEHPUPPE and GELENKBABY) while others feature soft, padded cloth doll torsos (such as WEICHKÖRPERPUPPE and WEICHBABY). Most dolls will have rooted hair made from the highest quality of synthetic nylon fiber available whereas others will have wigged hair made from kanekalon, human, or mohair. All dolls have physical characteristics (such as eyes, freckles, etc.) that are handpainted; each doll outfit is made with the highest-quality fabrics and materials that both fashionably appeal to children and adults alike. In fact, Sylvia Natterer personally designed each doll's individual outfit, which is intended to reflect the doll's own individual personality.3

Example of an all-vinyl GELENKSTEHPUPPE doll body type. Photo: GotzDollJunkie.Example of a WEICHBABY doll body and articulation type. Photo copyright of original owner; diagram: GotzDollJunkie.Example of a VINYLBABY, VINYLGELENKBABY, and GELENKBABY. Photo copyright of original owner; diagram: GotzDollJunkie.Example of a WEICHBABY doll body type.Example of WEICHKÖRPERPUPPE "sitting doll" with bent knees.
In addition, each *Sylvia Natterer* *Götz* doll is inscribed with the Götz logo and Sylvia's unique engraved signature, "SN" on the back of its neck.3 Each doll also comes with its very own *Certificate of Authenticity (or "COA")*.3 Some of these COAs are included in the tag while others are separate ***paper*** COAs (for example: 1991 LOUIS has a separate *paper* COA).

Nearly every one of Sylvia's Götz dolls were awarded the SPIEL GUT or "good toy label" from an independent commission which analyzes and labels the quality of toys in Germany.9 Unfortunately, her ZWERGNASE dolls did not receive this same recognition, as according to Sylvia, they never quite reached the same quality as that of Götz.9 Intriguingly, Sylvia preferred the Zwergnase doll bodies to that of Götz (for example, the toddler doll body was much fluffier), while she preferred the quality in the painting of her Götz dolls over that of the Zwergnase.9 Although both Götz and Zwergnase produce FANOUCHE, it is important to note that while both Götz and Zwergnase are FANOUCHES, both dolls are completely different from one another.9 This is due to the fact that Sylvia was forced to remodel and rebuild her FANOUCHE molds for Zwergnase as her Götz molds were not returned to her after her collaboration with Götz ended.9

## *The Inspiration For Sylvia's Dolls*

Numerous doll artists have served to inspire *Sylvia Natterer:*1

* One such inspiration comes from the Swiss puppeteer designer, *Elfriede Schwarzenbach.*1 According to Sylvia, she has always loved and been fascinated by puppets and puppet theatre; in fact, after seeing the puppets created by *Elfriede*, Sylvia made the decision to cut the strings off of her puppets and began making dolls for both children and collectors.1

* Another inspiration comes from *Sasha Morgenthaler*; Sylvia states she admires *Sasha Morgenthaler's* *"SASHA"* dolls "for their clearness of design and convincing functionality as a good play doll."1 In addition, Sylvia has been greatly influenced by ***the emotional connection*** *Sasha's* dolls invoke within children, so much so, that Sylvia desired to create her own line of dolls that would allow a child to project their wide range of emotions *onto the doll* (and *not* the other way around).

For this reason, Sylvia's dolls are purposefully created with **neutral facial expressions** that invoke within a child ***a sense of emotional safety*** and a ***feeling of unconditional love and acceptance***; this special relationship between a child and his/her friend (i.e. *the doll*) is why so many children and adults alike are attracted to Sylvia's beautiful dolls. Therefore, this purpose combined with her artistic gift of doll making and her love for children have made her a world renown doll artisan.

* Another inspiration comes from Sylvia's own family: *s*hortly after the birth of her first son, Sylvia desired to create her famous large baby dolls so that her daughter, *Fanny*, could have a "baby" of her own.1

## *Artist Quotes*

* *Children need a silent and harmonically designed doll they can love.3*
* *It is a very joyful experience for me to see how children of all ages lovingly play with my dolls.5*
* *If my dolls could talk, they certainly would say: "play with me!"6*

## "Sylvia Natterer Design" Collection Index

As discussed above, Sylvia painted and dressed special, exclusive limited edition collector's dolls in 1988 for Danny and Barrie Shapiro's *The Toy Shoppe*. Nearly all of these all-vinyl dolls will feature Sylvia's handwritten signature and will be dated with the year *1990*. In addition, each doll originally came with a blue "Sylvia Natterer Design" tag which also acted as the doll's COA. The following index contains all dolls identified to date.

FANNYLUCYNILS(NAME CURRENTLY UKNOWN) Boy(NAME CURRENTLY UNKNOWN) GirlKEMBAANNACOCOLISA

## Index of Götz Collections

The following doll collections are designed by *Sylvia Natterer* for Götz; simply click on the doll's name (which contains a hyperlink) in the tables below to be redirected to that doll's specific article, or to learn more on that specific subject.

1989 FANOUCHE (left) and MADLEINE (right)1989 LISETTE1989 LANETTE1989 DENIS (left) and CHERRY (right)

*\*The original catalog photo shows her name written as MADLEINE when in later years, it is written MADELEINE.*

1990 SOPHIE (left); AMELIE (center); MARCEL (right)1990 FANOUCHE (left); CHERRY (left center); DENIS (right center); JOY (right)1990 LISETTE (left); MONA (left center); ROMINA (right center); MADLEINE (right)1990 LANETTE (left) and EMMANUEL (right)1990 LAVENDER & LACE - Limited Edition, Store Exclusive

1991 FLEURETTE1991 SOPHIE1991 MADELEINE1991 MAURICE1991 FANOUCHE1991 JOY1991 LUCILLE1991 AURELIE1991 SOSETTE1991 JONATHAN1991 GLADYS1991 ROMINA1991 DENIS1991 CHERRY1991 LOUIS (left) with sister LEONORE (right)1991 KATRINA - Limited Edition, Store Exclusive1991 SWISS CHILD - Limited Edition1991 - Limited Edition for Walt Disney World

1992 NATALIE (left); SOPHIE (left center); FANETTE (right center); AMELIE (right)1992 MADELEINE (left); DELIA (right)1992 GLADYS (left); CHERRY (center); MAJA (right)1992 ROMINA (left); JOY (center); ELENA (right)1992 SOSETTE (left); FANNY (center); DENISE (right)1992 AURELIE (left); LUCILLE (right)1992 CHRISTMAS BABY1992 TERESA & JUANITO - Limited Editions1992 KEMBA & BINTU - Limited Editions

1993 DELIA1993 ELENA1993 FANNY1993 FANOUCHE1993 MADELEINE1993 JOY1993 SOSETTE1993 AURELIE1993 MAJA1993 LISSY1993 KATY1993 GLADYS1993 DENIS1993 ROMINA1993 CHERRY1993 FABIO1993 FANETTE1993 CAROLINE1993 NATALIE1992 and 1993 KEMBA & BINTU1993 LUCY (left) and NILS (right)1993 JEREMY1993 ASHLEY

*\*\*It is possible these two doll's names were switched in their catalog photo.*

*\*\*\*This doll's name in previous years was spelled "NATALIE."*

1994 JOSIANE1994 ELIANE1994 VALENTINE1994 FLEURETTE1994 TAMARA1994 ELENA1994 CORALIE1994 FANOUCHE1994 ANNABELLE1994 MADELEINE1994 ADELINE1994 FANNY1994 JOY1994 SOSETTE1994 MAJA1994 CAMILLA1994 YVETTE1994 LISSY1994 LUKAS1994 GLADYS1994 DENISE1994 ROMINA1994 DENIS1994 CHERRY1994 FABIO1994 FANETTE1994 LIA1994 CAROLINE1994 NATHALIE1994 SOPHIE1994 THI MAU (center) with sleeping girl KINH (left) and awake boy CHIEO QUAN (right)

1995 JOSIANE1995 ELIANE1995 SHILA1995 DELIA1995 MAURICE1995 TAMARA1995 FANOUCHE1995 FANNY1995 ADELINE1995 JOY1995 AURELIE1995 FREDY1995 LISSY1995 KATY1995 KORDULA1995 GLADYS1995 DENISE1995 FABIO1995 DENIS1995 CHERRY1995 CAROLINE1995 NATHALIE1995 LIA1995 SOPHIE1995 SISSI1995 KIMBA (left); GOLKA (center) and GINKA (right)1995 REBECCA - Limited Edition, Store Exclusive1995 and 1996 LINA1995 ROSALIE1995 SILVA1995 and 1996 SILVAINThis "dolly" named "LISA" was designed by SYLVIA NATTERER especially for PHILIP HEATH's 1995 LISA I.This "dolly" was designed by SYLVIA NATTERER especially for PHILIP HEATH's "1995 LISA II"

1996 ELEONORE1996 FRANCOIS1996 MIREILLE1996 JOSIANE1996 ELIANE1996 DELIA1996 ODILE1996 CLARISSA1996 FANOUCHE1996 FIONA1996 KOLYA1996 JOY1996 THERESE1996 AURELIE1996 JEAN1996 KATY1996 KORDULA1996 GLADYS1996 FABIENNE1996 CLAIRE1996 DENISE1996 CHERRY1996 ALENA1996 VINCENT1996 CAROLINE1996 TAMARA1996 LIA1996 NATHALIE1996 DIDIER1996 THIERRY (left) with sister MARGUERITE (right).1996 ASHLEY - Limited Edition1995 and 1996 LINA1996 PIERRE1995 and 1996 SILVAIN1996 VIRGINIE

1997 MIREILLE1997 ELEONORE1997 FANNY1997 DELIA1997 MAURICE1997 CLARISSA1997 FANOUCHE1997 JOY1997 KORDULA1997 THERESE1997 DENISE1997 AURELIE1997 HENRY1997 JEAN1997 LISSY1997 DENIS1997 CLAIRE1997 FABIO1997 VIRGINIE1997 CHERRY1997 ALENA1997 VINCENT1997 TAMARA1997 ADRIEN1997 JEANETTE1997 LEON1997 CHARLOTTE1997 PIERROT

1998 DIANA1998 PAULA1998 CLARISSA1998 FIONA1998 JULIUS1998 FANOUCHE1998 ODILE1998 DELIA1998 LUDMILLA1998 JOY1998 LYDIA1998 AURELIE1998 CLARA1998 VARUNA1998 NELLY1998 XENIA1998 DEBORAH1998 CLAIRE1998 DENISE1998 FABIO1998 VIRGINIE1998 CHERRY1998 ALENA1998 VINCENT1998 BIENE1998 ADRIEN (left)1998 CHARLOTTE1998 NATHALIE1998 NICK

1999 GALA1999 CEDRIC1999 CORINNE1996 MIREILLE1999 COSIMA1999 AURORA1999 CELESTE1999 PAULA1999 ULLA1999 MILLA1999 MAIKE1999 GINA1999 RIKA1999 LEONIE1999 THEO1999 JULIUS2002 GISA1999 ALENA (male)1999 VINCENT1999 NORA1999 KAI1999 LIORA1999 LITTLE BUTTERFLY

2000 JOANNA2000 MIMOSA2000 CONRAD2000 ANJE2000 VIVIANNE2000 DOROTHE2000 ESTELLE2000 LUCIA2000 NADINE2000 COLIN2000 ISA2000 RICARDA2000 RALF2000 YONA with TILO2000 MARTINE2000 PRISKA2000 MIRIAM2000 PAULINE2000 WANDA2000 LORENZ2000 TARA2000 FLO2000 MARBELLA2000 UWE BEYER (top left); ANKE GÖTZ-BEYER (top right); JACOB (bottom left) and ANNA (bottom right)

\*This doll's name in the catalog appears as "VIRGINE," however, in previous years it was spelled "VIRGINIE."

2001 DILIA2001 TILMANN2001 AMANDA2001 LEONTINE2001 COSETTE2001 ESTELLE2001 ADELE2001 ALENIOR2001 IRMELIA2001 NORA2001 LEXA (left) with COLIN (right)2001 STELLA2001 AURELIE2001 DAVID2001 IRMA2001 VIRGINIE2001 FABIO2001 GISA2001 JULIUS2001 VINCENT2001 LUCIE2001 FLORIAN2001 EMMA2001 FELT NEST BABY

2002 FLAVIUS2002 SOFIA2002 MELISSA2002 CARINA2002 ZORA2002 CELESTE2002 OLGA2002 FLORA2002 LUISE2002 LENORA2002 NATHAN2002 TARA2002 LEAH2002 ELLEN2002 CICILIA2002 JULE2002 AXEL2002 SAMUEL2002 MAX2002 NOAH2002 CILLY2002 CONRAD2002 LIONEL2002 PAULINE2002 SCHEHERAZADE

2003 VRONI2003 FLAVIUS (left) with TALIA (right)2003 MARLENE2003 PIPPA2003 BRITTA2003 NOEMIE2003 OLIVIA2003 GITTA2003 CATHY2003 ALVINA2003 CLIO2003 LENE2003 ARIANE2003 MARK2003 ARNE2003 JUDITH2003 SHIRLEY2003 KOLYA2003 MARA2003 VINCENT (left) with LOUIS (right)2003 ELA2003 ANNE-SOPHIE

2004\* HANDCRAFTED COLLECTION INDEX
*Note: These dolls were produced until Dec. 31, 2003; on January, 1, 2004, the doll manufacturer "ZWERGNASE" took over complete production of Sylvia's line.*

2004 ORNELIA2004 MELODY

LADYBUG - Year of Production UNKNOWN.

## Find a Doll by Facial Mold

The following are the current facial molds identified-to-date. Simply click on a facial mold to be redirected to the category containing all dolls that share it.

298 Götz SN334 SN GötzNo facial mold photo: 346 SN Götz382 SN Götz (?)384 SN Götz524 SN GötzGötz 131 SNGötz 144 SNGötz 145 SNGötz 526 SN (?)Götz SN 89SN 169 GötzSN GötzSN Götz '93 254SN Götz '93 261SN Götz 170SN Götz 174SN Götz 180 (not 480)SN Götz 284SN Götz 399SN Götz 410SN Götz 89SN Götz 91/165SN Götz 92/218"My First Doll" Facial Mold - NECKSTAMP UNKNOWN
## Find a Doll by Neckstamp Marking

Looking for a doll based upon its specific neckstamp marking? Simply click on a photo below to search all dolls that share that neckstamp marking; this will help you to narrow down a possible identification for your doll!

298 Götz SN334 SN GötzNo neckstamp photo: 346 SN GötzNo neckstamp photo: 382 SN Götz384 SN Götz524 SN GötzGötz 131 SNNo neckstamp photo: Götz 144 SNGötz 145 SNNo neckstamp photo: Götz 526 SN (?)Götz SN 89SN 169 GötzSN GötzSN Götz '93 254SN Götz '93 261SN Götz 170SN Götz 174SN Götz 180 (not 480)SN Götz 284SN Götz 399No neckstamp photo: SN Götz 410 (?)SN Götz 89SN Götz 91/165SN Götz 92/218
## References

1. *Sylvia Natterer Dolls*, sylvianatterer.com/artist.htm.
2. This quote can be found in a 1989 Götz doll *hangtag*.
3. This information comes from a 1989 Götz *Play Doll* Catalog.
4. This information comes from a 1992 Götz *Play Doll* Catalog.
5. This information comes from a 1993 Götz *Play Doll* Catalog.
6. This information comes from a 1995 Götz *Play Doll* Catalog.
7. This information comes from the Götz *Collection 2002* Catalog.
9. Nees from Sylvia Natterer [E-mail to the author GötzDollJunkie]. (2020, July 14).
10. This information comes from a wording found within a 1992 Götz doll hangtag.
11. The source for this information comes from www.catawiki.com/l/11877299-franklin-mint-artistic-dolls-katharina-sonja-and-ute-by-sylvia-natterer-1990