Paper Dolls For Grown-Ups: Pinnacle Galleries, Belmar

I will confess: I hesitated to post this collection of 19th Century paper dolls from Pinnacle Galleries in Belmar (912 Belmar Plaza, 2nd Floor), for fear of being labeled batty, fussy and all the other adjectives used to describe people who use dolls as decorative statements.

But as I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of displaying these hand-cut relics. It's a lot like the current toile resurgance: a reminder of the olden days, but interpreted in a modern way.

Here, it's all about the display. The black velvet backing transforms the dolls in to a graphic statement, enhanced by the repetition of the dress forms. The frame is fancy enough to evoke the period, but not too overwrought as to detract.

I'd like to see this juxtaposed with genuine mid-20th century furnishings or alongside re-interpreted classic period furniture. Whatever you do, don't put this with toile, or in a very cluttered, antique-filled room--there won't be enough contrast to make this look sophisticated.

(photo from pinnaclegalleries.com)