Atelier Fauni

The studio's early output consisted of its own line of handmade fabric trolls, the so-called Fauni trolls, designed by Helena and Martti themselves. These whimsical creatures, crafted from leather, real fur, and textiles, established the workshop's reputation for tactile, character-driven objects at a time when Finnish design was gaining international attention.

The defining chapter in Atelier Fauni's history began in 1955, when the studio produced its first Moomin figurines. Tove Jansson, having seen and approved the dolls, granted the studio permission to create characters from her Moomin universe. Between 1955 and 1971, Fauni produced 15 distinct Moomin characters - among them Moominmamma, Moomintroll, Snorkmaiden, Snufkin, Little My, and Hemulen's Aunt - each hand-stitched with leather skin, real fur hair, and in some cases clothing sewn from Marimekko fabrics. The figurines were first sold at Stockmann in Helsinki, where they consistently sold out as soon as new batches arrived.

Between 1956 and 1958 alone, more than 11,000 Fauni Moomins were sold. The studio operated for nearly two decades before closing in 1971, leaving behind a finite and irreplaceable body of work.

Today, Atelier Fauni figurines are among the most actively pursued items in Nordic collectibles auctions. The combination of their direct connection to Tove Jansson, their handmade Finnish craftsmanship, and their material fragility - leather and fur do not survive carelessly - means that well-preserved examples command significant attention. On Auctionist, Fauni pieces have appeared across Bukowskis Helsinki, Stockholms Auktionsverk, and several Swedish regional houses. A pair of Moomin figurines achieved 2,612 SEK, and a single Snorkmaiden sold for 1,995 EUR at Bukowskis Helsinki. With 29 recorded auction appearances and no current active listings, these pieces come to market rarely and competitively.