Worry dolls

No early record

We found no early record of worry dolls. The story of Princess Ixmucane, often told with them, has no written source we could find.

Under the pillow

In Spanish they are muñecas quitapenas. People tell each doll one worry and put the dolls under the pillow. The Horniman Museum holds worry dolls, and the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic holds a set that belonged to Julia Pearce.

Sold in little sets

UK shops sell little sets of six to twelve dolls, from about £3.95 to £11.99 when we looked in November 2026.

To verify: Confirm both prices are from this shop