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The History of Dolls Houses

By: Stanley Lewis

Doll houses or miniature homes have been enjoyed for thousands of years in one form or another. Early examples can be traced back as far as ancient Egyptian, where servants, furnishings and other wooden items were placed in tombs.

However, the doll house as we know it today has its roots in European doll houses or “baby houses” as they were known. In the 16th century, these dollhouses were not for the amusement of children but instead were finely detailed replicas of the homes of the wealthy. Used to display their status, baby houses were created by craftsman and were expensive, some costing as much as a modestly priced home would in that era.

The best dollhouses of this period were made in Germany were several dollhouses companies flourished and then exported to Europe and America. These early dollhouses painstakingly recreated furniture’s, paintings, rooms and more. The exquisite craftsmanship of these early dollhouses as well as their detailed look at life during this time has made them highly priced collectors items with the best examples currently on display in museums.
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