The Art of Play

Jen DeRose -- Interior Design, 3/1/2007 12:00:00 AM

Handcrafted in 1963, when he was a childlike 56, Alexander Girard's whimsical figures capture his most emblematic traits: playfulness and wonder. Now, Vitra offers exact replicas to delight even the most grown-up of adults.

Girard and his wife began collecting folk art in Mexico. Eventually, the collection grew to legendary proportions—and visibly influenced dolls the designer made for his own home in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

With the help of the Vitra Design Museum's documents, 11 dolls have been reproduced accurately and marketed under the name Wooden Dolls. Like the earlier versions, the new toys are hand-carved from pine and spruce, hand-painted, and ornamented with feathers and string. Heights range from 6 to 12 inches. 29 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10014; 212-463-5700; vitra.com. circle 359