Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
June 26, 1988
By Susan J. Dehler
Vigo County Historical Society
Dollhouses can tell much about the culture and habits of a society
The existence of dollhouses throughout different societies provided a forum to re-create human environments and behavior. To the historian, this world in miniature reveals the architectural, cultural and social styles and influences of a particular period.
Although the Dutch are credited with the origin of the dollhouse, early examples of model rooms have been found among ancient Greek and Roman cultures. These artifacts resembled a three-sided box made of reddish clay and contained baked clay furniture. Such remains conveyed a sense of what a room may have looked like around 300 B.C.
The Dutch version of the dollhouses consisted of cupboards divided up into rooms. Originally, they were not intended as exact replicas of a large house, but were a convenient showcase to display miniature furniture and objects. Some of the most costly Cabinets or Puppenhuizen were produced in Holland during the 17th century.
Dollhouses have served a variety of purposes and have appeal to children and adults alike. Adult collectors are fascinated by the antique styles and the craftsmanship involved in many of the early models. Miniature pieces often were used as trade samples for clients selecting furniture. Small Chippendale miniatures and the like were of high quality.
As toys, dollhouses allowed children to be involved in adult activity. Extending this idea, dollhouses also served as an instructive tool for young girls by giving them a forum to emulate the role and experiences of housewife and mother.
As early as 1631, Anna Koferlin of Nuremberg created a dollhouse complete with a pamphlet on how the household should be managed. It is “of educational value to the small girl, and was intended to teach her house management until she became a bride.”
The Victorian dollhouse furniture on display in the museum conveys a sense of how a parlor may have been furnished in the 1870s. Included in the set are a bust and stand, a sofa, five chairs, a table, and footstools made from pressed tin. Felt was used on the sofa and chairs for a cushioned effect. These items are from the estate of Helen Condit and were given to the museum by Mr. and Mrs. Guy Stantz.
The Victorian style did not represent one period or idea. Furniture designers and cabinetmakers borrowed from Gothic, Louis XV and Louis XVI styles. Marble tops, graceful and flowing curves, and carvings of fruit, flowers and leaves were characteristic of early Victorian furnishings.
The Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St., is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.