Life in Miniature: A History of Dolls' Houses

by Nicola Lisle

Overview

Popular in Britain since the late seventeenth century, dolls’ houses are tiny slices of social history that give us a fascinating glimpse into domestic life over the last 300 years.

In this beautifully-illustrated book, Nicola Lisle explores the origins and history of dolls’ houses and their furnishings, from the earliest known dolls’ house in sixteenth-century Bavaria to the present, and looks at how they reflect the architecture, fashions, social attitudes, innovations and craftsmanship of their day. She discusses the changing role of dolls’ houses and highlights significant events and people to give historical context. She also takes a look at some of the leading dolls’ house manufacturers, such as Silber & Fleming and Lines Brothers Ltd (later Triang).

The book includes numerous examples of interesting dolls’ houses, the stories behind them and where to see them. This includes famous models such as Queen Mary’s spectacular 1920s dolls’ house at Windsor Castle and the eighteenth-century baby house at Kew Palace.

There is also a chapter on model towns and villages, which became popular in the twentieth century and also give us a window on the past by replicating real places or capturing scenes typical of a bygone era, as well as advice for dolls’ house collectors, a detailed directory of places to visit and recommended further reading.

One of the most comprehensive guides available on the subject published in recent years, this book offers unique insights into the world of dolls’ houses and is a must for anyone with an interest in the history and appeal of these miniature treasures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526797049
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	01/26/2022
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	954,948
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Nicola Lisle is a freelance journalist and author specialising in local history, family history and the arts. She has lived in Oxfordshire for thirty years and writes regularly for her local county magazine, Oxfordshire Limited Edition. She has contributed to several family history magazines including Who Do You Think You Are?, Your Family History and Discover Your Ancestors, and is the author of Tracing Your Family History Made Easy, published by Which? Books in 2011.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements vi

Introduction viii

Chapter 1 Early Baby and Cabinet Houses 1

Chapter 2 Ann Sharp's Baby House 14

Chapter 3 Baby Houses in Georgian and Regency England 20

Chapter 4 Victorians and the Age of Enterprise 41

Chapter 5 Edwardian Elegance to Modern Britain 61

Chapter 6 Recreating the Past 85

Chapter 7 Dolls' Houses in Literature 106

Chapter 8 Miniatures Move Outside: Model Towns and Villages 115

Chapter 9 Collecting Dolls' Houses 129

Chapter 10 Some Notable Collectors 135

Appendix 1 Places to Visit 155

Appendix 2 Further Reading 185

Index 190