Dolls House Can Have Architectural Benefit
Doll 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 dolls houses became a genuine child’s toy.However, these miniature creations can also perform another purpose by preserving and commemorating significant architectural styles.At least the expertly and loving crafted dolls house keeps an accurate picture of period styles alive in a convenient package.
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), a series of Glasgow Tea Room interiors and large private houses such as Windy Hill in Kilmacolm. 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 Mackintosh’s own home and the internal doors inspired by Craigie Hall.
Similarly, Edwin Lutyens can also be called the best known British architect of the early part of the 20th century.Creator of the Cenotaph in Whitehall, Luytens was one of the major contributors to the ‘Arts and Crafts’ movement. Famous for what was termed the “Surrey Style” in his domestic architectural work, he also designed Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House which is now in Windsor Castle.The tall fancy chimneys and fireplaces of the Surrey Style are reproduced in many examples of dolls house, with large latticework windows, big roofs, dormer windows and heavy window frames and doors.
So before you dismiss dolls house as mere toys or the fads of obsessed collectors, remember that they at least portable and easily protected and care be very good learning toys. In future years, they may well be the only reminders of great artistic and architectural glories when the real thing has crumbled to dust or made way for a shopping mall.
