A Brief History of Dollhouses
My love affair with dollhouses started with a trip to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago Il., and my first viewing of Colleen Moore’s Miniature Fairy Castle. My mother bought a book about the Castle for me. For those of you who haven’t visited the Fairy Castle, you have the most wonderful treat in store. It is truly a magical place.
Miniature homes, furnishings, people (dolls) and animals have been made for thousands of years. Early examples have been found in Egyptian Tombs. It is believed that these wooden models of furnishings, boats, livestock, pets and servants were made for religious purposes.
“Baby or Cabinet” houses from the sixteenth century are the earliest known European dollhouses. Each dollhouse was unique and constructed by individual craftsmen. These early dollhouses were extremely rare and expensive. Something only the privileged class could afford. Sometimes the houses were replicates of the family home in which they lived. Often, they were well-known buildings or of new architectural designs.
These dollhouses were a must have for the upper classes. Although considered a toy, the children of yesterday were taught to treat their possessions with the utmost care. Dollhouses were to be admired and rarely touched.
By the middle of the 19th century, dollhouses and their furnishings became mass produced. This brought the price down so children everywhere could “play”. The Industrial Revolution began this mass production of toys, dollhouses, and miniatures. German and English companies were noted for their quality products. By the end of the 19th century, American dollhouses were made by the Bliss Company.
Until World War I, Germany was the greatest producer of dollhouses and dollhouse miniatures. Their products were exported to England, and North America.
Circa 1917, the TynieToy Company of Providence, Rhode Island, made authentic replicas of American antique houses and furniture in a uniform scale. Others in this field at the time were Roger Williams Toys, Tootsietoy, Schoenhut, and the Wisconsin Toy Co. Japanese companies began copying German designs and entered the market.
Dollhouses produced after World War II were mass produced with less detail than ever before. By the 1950’s, painted sheet metal dollhouses filled with plastic furniture were the standard under many Christmas trees. How many happy hours were spent with these dollhouses? I know I loved mine!
Over the years the scale of dollhouses has undergone changes. 1: 2/3 inch, l:18, 1:10 (the metric system). In the 1970’s the 1:12 scale became a standard. There is also the half inch scale or 1:48. “Barbie” brought her own scale of 1:6.
In spite of mass production, there are many craftsmen today who still create charming miniatures by hand. Just imagine the patience these artists must have! Thankfully, everyone today can enjoy a dollhouse. It can be built from scratch or purchased ready to play. The furnishings can be economical or extravagant. They can be built from wood, plastic, or metal, the sky’s the limit. Remember Colleen Moore’s dollhouse, the must see premiere miniature house I mentioned earlier? Well, she has a chandelier hanging in the drawing room that is made of solid gold hung with diamonds and emeralds!
So let your imagination run. Your unique miniature world is waiting!
Article Source: Jeannine Achauer, Grandma’s House of Miniatures
