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Throughout history, people have been fascinated by miniatures and have made tiny replicas of life-size objects for many different purposes. The ancient Greeks constructed models of temples before building them. Toy-sized guns and armor guided Medieval armament manufacturers. Cabinet makers used miniature furniture as work samples. In the 18th century, dolls meticulously dressed in the latest European fashions were shipped to the New World so that colonial ladies could maintain an up-to-date attire. And today, manufacturers frequently make small-scale prototypes of new products as part of the development process.
Displays of miniatures apparently originated in Germany in the 16th century. The most famous of those early displays were the Nuremberg Kitchens, tiny duplicates of people-sized kitchens frequently given to little girls as "educational toys" of their time.
Wealthy burghers and noblemen of Germany and the Netherlands spent the next couple of centuries displaying miniatures in "art" cabinets, the shelves being divided into "rooms", completely outfitted with furniture and accessories.
But it was Duke Albrecht V of Bavaria who commissioned the first doll house of record- a four-story palace complete with ballroom, chapel and zoo. The finished product, intended as a gift for his daughter, so pleased the Duke, the story goes, that he immediately added it to his art collection.
Since then, doll houses and their furnishings have continued to intrigue both makers and collectors of all ages. Some of the more famous examples include Queen Mary's doll house in England and Colleen Moore's castle located in Chicago's Museum of Industry and Art.
How does one find out more about doll house miniatures and where to buy them? Look through the yellow pages for "Doll Houses", "Miniature Items for Collectors", "Toys-Retail", "Dolls-Retail", and "Hobby Shops". Shopping at a miniatures specialty store will help you find answers to all your questions and everything you'll need to get started.
Whether or not we realize it, we are all collectors, each and every one. The planning and learning, the search for that special something, and the acquiring, all contribute to our sense of satisfaction. No matter if you choose to build and assemble, or simply collect, a wonderful world awaits your discovery.
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