Dolls have been used in magical rites since the origins of Man. Little wonder then that witches were said to have used them as well.

Typically, these dolls were created by putting some of the victim's nail clippings or hair into the material from which the doll was fashioned, usually clay, wax or wood. Also effective were bits of stolen or discarded clothing soaked in "vital juices" like blood or sweat.

Although these dolls could be used for love spells, witches tended to use them for illness and murder. By the principle of sympathy, what is inflicted to the doll will be carried out to the person that it is supposed to represent.