Paper Dolls: Fragile Figures, Enduring Symbols

i Paper dolls might seem the height of simplicity-quaint but simple toys, nothing more.

But through the centuries paper figures have reflected religious and political beliefs, notions of woman-hood, motherhood and family, the dictates of fashion, approaches to education, individual self-image and self-esteem, and ideas about death.

This book examines paper dolls and their symbolism-from icons made by priests in ancient China to printable Kim Kardashians on the Internet-to show how these ephemeral objects have an enduring and sometimes surprising presence in history and culture.