Modern Baby Furniture Canada
Doll House HISTORY
Doll House HISTORY
The interesting leisure pursuit of recreating houses and their contents in detailed miniature is not a recent one. It has been in here for centuries in one variety or another. In fact, for thousands of years, miniature quarters or living spaces, equipped with domestic fixtures and their residents, both humans and animals, have been part of many civilizations. The most primitive examples were hollowed out of the Egyptian tombs of the Old Kingdom. They were estimated to have been in existence since five thousand years ago. These include models of furnishings, livestock, boats and even servants and pets. They were made of wood and were placed in the pyramids for spiritual or religious purposes.
Meanwhile, the first known dollhouses in Europe were from the 16th century. They were called baby houses which were actually display boxes or cabinets made up of rooms. These baby houses showcased ideal interior designs with very detailed furnishings and decors. The box cases were elegantly built with aesthetic architectural designs and were filled with tiny representations of household accessories and were geared for adults’ entertainment purposes. Children were not allowed to get close to these baby houses for them to avoid damaging the miniature toys.
The first replica of a fully furnished house was under the possession of Albert V, Duke of Bavaria, in the middle of the 16th century. It was then the most famed baby house in Europe that was followed by many wealthy people.
Miniature homes then became trophy collections by the few elites who were Dutch, English and Germans living in cities like London, Hamburg and Amsterdam. These elites happened to be wealthy enough to afford luxury items. A fully furnished miniature house at that time was worth the price of a simple full-sized house.
Smaller doll houses like the Tate house, with extra realistic outer walls, appeared in Europe in the 18th century.
The first few European dollhouses were each inimitable, custom-made by individual craftsmen for their rich customers. When the Industrial Revolution began, manufacturers began producing toys, including dollhouses and miniatures suitable for furnishing them, all in mass basis. German factories were recognized for their dollhouses that included Christian Hacker, Moritz Gottschalk, Elastolin, and Moritz Reichel. The list of important English doll firms included Siber & Fleming, Evans & Cartwright, and Lines Brothers (which became Tri-ang).
By the conclusion of the 19th century American dollhouses were being assembled by The Bliss Manufacturing Company in the United States.
Germany became the world’s most well known producer of the most cherished dollhouses and doll house miniatures. It was the case until World War I. Distinguished German miniature firms included Märklin, Rock and Garner and others. Their goods were not only passionately collected in Central Europe, but frequently exported to England, Cuba, Canada and the United States. Germany’s participation in the World War II gravely affected both the manufacturing and international trading. This gave rise to the new producers in other countries to become well known.
The TynieToy Company of Providence, Rhode Island, made genuine replicas of American old-fashioned houses and furniture in a standardized scale commencing in about 1917. Other related American businesses during the early 20th century were Tootsietoy, Roger Williams Toys, Wisconsin Toy Co., and the Schoenhut.
In the other side of the globe, dollhouse dolls and miniatures were also being manufactured in Japan, mostly by replication of original German designs.
Doll houses were mass produced in plants on a much bigger scale with less detailed designs than ever before right after the World War II. By the beginning of the second half of the 20th century, a typical dollhouse being commercially sold was made of decorated sheet iron or other metals filled with plastic furniture. Such houses became less expensive that the great majority of girls from the developed countries in Europe and the Americas that were not struggling with reconstruction after World War II could own at least one.
The production of toy miniatures for children’s doll houses became a good business and was continued. In the 1970’s, the adults again resurrected the idea of collecting modern pieces of mini houses and displayed them in their living rooms or personal libraries.
Today, this hobby of collecting and playing with miniatures is getting a vast fame and there is an increasing number of dedicated shops, miniature festivals and doll house magazines to cater for this interest. Indeed, all over the world, many want to recreate an ideal home that they can dictate and design.
Miniature aficionados nowadays like to remake past eras or current events in either whole houses or particular scenes. Some take pleasure in making the models themselves, while others gather limited edition pieces or commission craftsmen to make their particular requirements. The overall objective is to attain precise detail to capture the right mood, personality and method and make this hobby an art of self-expression.
About the Author
Joost Smeets has been a dollhouse enthusiast for
over 10 years. His newest book, “Dollhouse Making Made Easy,” teaches other
Dollhouse enthusiasts absolutely everything they need to know
about creating the perfect dollhouse.
If you do not own a copy yet, order your copy now at
http://www.thedollhousecenter.com/dollhousemadeeasy.html
floridasorlandorental
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PlanToys Modern Furniture Set $49.99 Plan Toys Inc – Doll House Accessories – This modern style furniture set consists of furniture for 5 rooms; living room, kitchen, bathroom, children?s bedroom , and master bedroom. Furniture for 5 roomss Living room Kitchen Bathroom Children?s bedroom Master bedroom Ages 3y+ Specifications: Dimensions: 1.8 H x 6.3 W x 6.7 D Weight: 2 lbs |
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Status Furniture Baby Nursery Dresser $548.95 Status Furniture – Dressers – The prescription for style, quality and functionality! The traditional style of the Sussex collection is inspired by European craftsmanship offering that traditional classic look. A truly great piece to add to baby’s nursery which can be used for many years! Solid hardwood box construction Drawers with dovetail joinery Traditional center wood drawer glides Classic wood knobs Traditional tower top Dresser with 3 spacious drawers Side cabinet for extra storage. Solid wood, select veneer and wood product construction Fully assembled |
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Furniture Retailers of Canada: Wholesale Furniture Brokers $14.14 Furniture Retailers of Canada: Wholesale Furniture Brokers |
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Stanley Furniture American Modern Birch Leather Cube $399 Stanley Furniture – Living Room – The Stanley American Modern Leather Cube is constructed of birch solids with cherry veneers Dijon leather |
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Stanley Furniture American Modern Birch End Table $449 Stanley Furniture – End Tables – Contemporary style The Stanley American Modern End Table is constructed of birch solids with cherry veneers One drawer Rectangular shape Wood top One stationary shelf |
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Furniture Companies of Canada: Furniture Retailers of Canada, Wholesale Furniture Brokers, Leon’s, J. Pascal’s Hardware and Furniture, Aya $14.14 Furniture Companies of Canada: Furniture Retailers of Canada, Wholesale Furniture Brokers, Leon’s, J. Pascal’s Hardware and Furniture, Aya |
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Status Furniture Brookfield Baby Nursery Dresser $618.95 Status Furniture – Dressers – Talk about style and quality construction! The Brookield offers a simplistic, contemporary design with clean lines and attention to detail. Designed to accompany baby through their growing years, this contemporary piece will surely give value for your purchase! Constructed with solid hardwoods, hardwood veneers and wood products Offers strength and durability to last a lifetime Silver knobs add a contemporary flair to this collection. Drawers are solid box construction Dovetail joinery Traditional center wood glides Fully assembled |
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Status Furniture Milcroft Baby Nursery Dresser $538.95 Status Furniture – Dressers – Talk about style, quality and versatility! With its classic tailored lines and Shaker styling, the Milcroft dresser offers a timeless design! A truly great piece to add to baby’s nursery which can be used for many years! Solid wood, select veneer and wood product construction Spacious drawers Solid box construction Dove tail joinery Traditional center wood drawer glides Fully assembled |
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Status Furniture Sussex Baby Nursery Armoire $658.95 Status Furniture – Wardrobe Armoires – The prescription for style, quality and functionality! The traditional style of the Sussex collection is inspired by European craftsmanship offering that classic look that lasts a lifetime. A truly great piece to add to baby’s nursery which can be used for many years! Solid hardwood box construction Drawers with dovetail joinery Traditional center wood drawer glides Classic wood knobs 4 deep drawers and shelved side cabinet for storing those necessities Solid wood, select veneer and wood product construction Fully assembled |
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Status Furniture Birkdale Baby Nursery Dresser $574.95 Status Furniture – Dressers – Elegant European style and design – built to last a lifetime! The unique, sleigh, Parisian inspired lines add to the richness of this collection for that traditionally inspired European nursery. Styled to make baby’s nursery a classic setting, this piece has been a true delight for parents all over! Rolled sleigh tops Gently outward curving sides Constructed with solid hardwoods, select veneers and wood products Solid box drawer construction Dovetail joinery Traditional center wood glides Fully assembled |