Dolls Houses Can Preserve Architectural Treasures
Monday, February 2nd, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Dolls Houses are thought by some as merely a child’s toy or just miniature displays of wealth and social standing by the rich. They were used in the 18th century to teach domestic management duties to middle class young women and it wasn’t until mass production by the Germans initially that the dolls house became a genuine child’s toy.However, these miniature creations can also perform another purpose by preserving and commemorating significant architectural styles.Should the actual buildings themselves fall before the bulldozer ad developer, at least the expertly and loving crafted dolls house keeps an accurate picture of period styles alive.
Take the works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of the early pioneers of the Modern Movement.Among his major architectural works is Glasgow School of Art (now the Mackintosh Building) and large private houses such as Windy Hill in Kilmacolm and The Hill House in Helensburgh. Those who can’t trek to Scotland have a chance to appreciate Mackitosh’s unique take on architectural design by viewing a Charles Rennie Mackintosh-style dolls house in the Bethnall Green Museum, London. The miniature faithfully preserves details such the staircase newel post design taken from Martyr’s Public School, the front door reflecting 78 Southpark Avenue (Mackintosh’s own home) and the internal doors inspired by Craigie Hall.
Similarly, Edwin Lutyens was the best known British architect of the early part of the 20th century.He created the Cenotaph in Whitehall and was one of the leading lights in the ‘arts and crafts’ movement.Famous for what was termed the “Surrey Style”, he also designed Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House which is now in Windsor Castle.The Surrey Style is reproduced in many examples of dolls house, with large latticework windows, distinctive big roofs with dormer windows and heavy window frames and doors.
So before you dismiss dolls houses as mere playthings or the fads of obsessed collectors, remember that they at least are portable and easily protected.In future years, they may well be the only reminders of great artistic and architectural achievements when the real thing has crumbled to dust.
