Dollhouses were invented in Germany in the 17th century. Who invented the very first dollhouse is unclear and the subject of much debate. However, one thing is certain: Dollhouses were extremely rare and expensive toys for the privileged children of aristocrats. The houses were painstakingly produced by hand out of wood, sometimes replicating the actual home in which the family lived, sometimes replicating a well-known building, and sometimes consisting of a brand new architectural design. The house was elaborately furnished with miniature versions of not only furniture but also paintings, tapestries and other wall hangings, all generally to scale. Even full kitchen furnishings were reproduced, from teakettles to china dishes.
Dollhouses quickly gained favor throughout Western Europe as a must-have item for the well-to-do. Although the dollhouse was considered a toy, the definition of a toy was far different in those days than it is today. In an era when children were seen and not heard, the children of the aristocracy were taught from an extremely early age to treat their possessions with the utmost care and respect. The dollhouse occupied a place of honor within the...