Dollhouses are Mini Architectural Treasures

Some people think dollhouses are just children's toys, quaint antiques or a rich person's hobby of past times.  Dollhouse history dates back four hundred years when they were called "baby" houses. In the 1700s, they were training devices for women of the working class to learn about their domestic responsibilities. As they were later manufactured and sold as toys, there use changed throughout history. Germany was a notable producer of excellent miniature doll houses up until World War II. These are highly collectible today. What we see in these examples is the richness of architectural details that were used in these dollhouses. Many were scale models of real home designs and serve as period pieces that display architetural styles.

Dollhouses are exhibited in museums around the world, such as the in The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam where an early european dollhouse is displayed. The Doll's House of Petronella Oortman c. 1686-1705 shows a good example of what the rooms in that period looked like. This dollhouse was done in the style of 17th century miniature houses - they looked like cupboards or display cabinets with legs and glass-paned doors. ]

The Museum of Childhood in London has an exhibit that includes the Tate House from 1760. It is said to be modelled on an 18th century Dorset house owned by Mrs. Walter Tate. It's construction allowed for it to be taken apart so the owner could travel with it. It is such a beautiful example of craftsmanship! (shown in picture at left)

One of the most famous dollhouses was built by an English architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, between 1920-1924 for Queen Mary. The Doll House of Queen Mary is built to a scale of 1:12 with every detail, wallcoverings, rugs and furniture made to perfection, including chandeliers. The palace rooms include servants quarters, the garage, paintings, fireplaces and state rooms.

So, before you think of dollhouses as plastic child's toys, look at these stunning examples of woodworking and other crafts and keep in mind the rich architectural history they exemplify.

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