Family Dollhouse
A Miniature History of Dollhouses
Tracing the history of the modern dollhouse starts with items that have little resemblance to the toy and collector pieces of today.
The earliest known miniature replicas date back to ancient Egypt, found in the tomb of Meketre. These wooden replicas of buildings, boats, animals and people catching a glimpse of life in Egypt four thousand years ago. Some of these highly valued miniatures are located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and the miniatures have spawned many copies of the originals.
Moving forward, most doll "houses" built before the invention of modern dollhouse in the form of religious artefacts detailing Christ's nativity. These original doll "Managers" are still created today and can often be found in churches and homes during the Christmas period.
However, the first recorded evidence of a modern dollhouse turns up in 1544, the house created by Duke Albrecht V of Germany for his daughter. This opulent dollhouse was said to have had four floors, sixty-three windows, doors and seventeen. Unfortunately, the house no longer exists, presumably destroyed by fire. All that remains of this creation was the inventory.
After this time, dollhouses were made for royalty, seen more as collector's items than toys, but enthusiasm for these exquisitely detailed houses spread across the middle of Europe. Skilled craftsmen, cabinetmakers and other artisans were employed order to construct these beautiful dollhouses.
Germany produced some of the best and most detailed dollhouses during this period, but the most impressive and one of the oldest existing houses comes from Holland. The Utrecht House, built in 1680, resembled a cabinet with fifteen separate rooms and garden. Dutch artists spared no expense in adding gemstones and creating miniature replicas of paintings and furniture for some of their creations.
The oldest Colonial-style dollhouse in North America is in the nursery at the Van Courtland Museum. Built in 1744, this impressive building is a replica of a New York City mansion. It is the only dollhouse in America that is older than the U.S. itself.
Until the advent of the Industrial Revolution, dollhouses were mostly exclusive to the rich and royal. As mass production of the doll and toy factories suitable wooden furniture began, the items are still of good quality but with lesser attention to detail. To the excitement of the girls in the middle-class families, these toys was affordable.
By the end of World War II, toy factories stopped making houses of wood instead of plastic because of cheaper production and a recovering U.S. economy after the war.
Today we live in a time where new dollhouses come in many forms: mass-produced plastic, wood and cardboard, even some classical artistic performance that rivals in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The popularity of dollhouses has not declined but instead increased the diversity choices of toys in the world. A walk around a large toy store can prove that. What can be done today is limited only by our imagination and wallet.
About the Author
Visit the place for dollhouses and miniatures. Find everything from play dollhouses for young children to grand mansions for collectors. We specialize in doll house kits for every skill level and budget. And don’t forget the dollhouse furniture! Visit us online at http://www.TheMagicalDollhouse.com today!
Advice on dollhouse for toddlers?
We plan for our daughter a dollhouse for Christmas. 3 They will close at Christmas. We have restricted this to three of them, and have a hard time deciding. Price is a factor, we want something that will be her last for a few years. Do any of these, or others you can recommend? Fisher Price loving family grand dollhouse http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Loving-Family-Grand-Dollhouse/dp/B0015KSSTY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid = 1250688126 & sr = 8-2 Melissa and Doug Multi-level dollhouse http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Multi-Level-Dollhouse-Family/dp/B0016MWWRU/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=toys -and-games & qid = 1250688126 & sr = 8 – 7 Plan Toy Chalet Doll House http://www.amazon.com/Plan-Chalet-Doll-House-Furniture/dp/B000FZP2XA/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1250688838&sr=1-20 Any advice would be appreciated!
We do not have a dollhouse but our neighbor does. The man built it but are very much like the Melissa and Doug dollhouse. I can say that a lot of use between its 2 years old and my 2 years old.
Loving Family Dollhouse
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Loving Family Sweet Sounds Dollhouse Fisher Price Lot doll baby furnitur mansion $165.00 |
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Loving Family Sweet Sounds Dollhouse SUV car Fisher Price Lot doll mansion house $165.00 |
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VICTORIAN HAPPY FAMILY 5 PC DOLLHOUSE PORCELAIN SET $139.99 |
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1973 SUNSHINE FAMILY HOME + FAMILY FIGURES ~ DOLL HOUSE PLAY SET IN BOX MINT!! $99.99 |
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B. Shackman Collector’s Handmade Bendable Doll House Family (4934) $80.00 |
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Dollhouse Miniature poly-resin doll family set people Donneley’s man/women New $79.99 |
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Dollhouse Miniature poly-resin Asian doll family set people Hand painted/crafted $79.99 |
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Dollhouse Miniature poly-resin Phelps Colonial doll family set people New $69.99 |
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LOT FISHER PRICE TWIN DOLLHOUSE GRAND LOVING FAMILY CAMPING TENT ATV FUN SET DOG $55.90 |
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Dollhouse Miniature modern Porcelain doll Extended family set people maid New $59.99 |
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VINTAGE ANTIQUE DOLL HOUSE RUBBER DOLLS FAMILY 5PC SET IN EXCELLENT CONDITION $56.99 |
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FISHER PRICE LOT DOLLHOUSE PEOPLE LOVING FAMILY DAD SISTER MOM BOY GIRL GRAND FR $39.90 |
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FISHER PRICE DOLLHOUSE FURNITURE LOVING FAMILY EVERYTHING FOR BABY STROLLER HIGH $39.00 |
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LOT FISHER PRICE TWIN DOLLHOUSE GRAND LOVING FAMILY MINIVAN CAR VAN DOG BAG FRE $36.90 |
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FISHER PRICE DOLLHOUSE GRAND LOVING FAMILY SUMMER FUN HORSE GIRL FISHING KAYAK++ $36.90 |
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FISHER PRICE TWIN DOLLHOUSE FURNITURE LOVING FAMILY ROOM TV FIREPLACE SOFA FREE $36.00 |
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LOT FISHER PRICE TWIN DOLLHOUSE GRAND LOVING FAMILY LIVING ROOM DOG PUPPY FREE++ $35.90 |
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FISHER PRICE DOLLHOUSE TWIN LOVING FAMILY CAMPING TENT GIRL CAMPFIRE DOG LANTER $35.90 |
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FISHER PRICE DOLLHOUSE PEOPLE LOVING FAMILY BOY GIRL DAD MOM GRANDMOTHER BROTHER $34.90 |
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NEW FISHER PRICE TWIN DOLLHOUSE FURNITURE GRAND LOVING FAMILY BATHROOM BATH FRE $34.90 |
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NIB Fisher Price Loving Family Dollhouse Camping Cabin Play House With Dolls $36.99 |
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Sweet Streets Post Office New in Box Fisher Price Loving Family dollhouse doll $49.50 |
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FISHER PRICE TWIN DOLLHOUSE GRAND LOVING FAMILY CAMPING ATV FUN SET DOG GIRL FRE $34.90 |
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FISHER PRICE DOLLHOUSE FURNITURE GRAND LOVING FAMILY KIDS BEDROOM VANITY BED NW $32.90 |
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Vintage Remco Littlechap Family Room Foldaway Doll House 1963 $35.00 |
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Dollhouse Miniature vinyl doll’s family modern people Dad/mom/girl/boy kids New $39.99 |
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Loving Family doll house Original Grandparents~ $45.00 |
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Dollhouse Miniature vinyl Victorian doll family people Dad/Mom/girl/baby New $39.99 |
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Dollhouse Miniature contemporary Porcelain doll family people Dad/Mom/girl/baby $39.99 |
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NEW FISHER PRICE TWIN DOLLHOUSE FURNITURE GRAND LOVING FAMILY LAUNDRY ROOM FRE $29.90 |
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Fisher Price Loving Family Dollhouse Lot $21.99 |
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CHADWICK-MILLER HONG KONG FAMILY DOLL HOUSE NEW FIGURES RETRO VINTAGE $39.99 |
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MATTEL’S 1998 BARBIE FOLDING PLASTIC FAMILY DOLL HOUSE W/SOUNDS #21646-2319-31 $24.99 |
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FISHER PRICE DOLLHOUSE LOT BED CRIB MOM DAD BABY BEDROOM PARENTS LOVING FAMILY $27.90 |
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FISHER PRICE DOLLHOUSE GRAND LOVING FAMILY DINING ROOM FOOD ACCESSORIES PLATES + $27.90 |
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Dollhouse Miniature vinyl Blonde Victorian doll family people Dad/Mom/girl/baby $34.99 |
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Dollhouse Miniature vinyl Victorian doll family people Dad/Mom/girl/baby New $34.99 |
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1998 Barbie Midge Happy Family Yellow Doll House Foldup 1998 $24.99 |
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Fisher Price Loving Family Dollhouse Twin Time Dolls $39.28 |
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LOVING FAMILY LOT 2002 Fisher Price Mattel Dollhouse Dolls Retired $32.00 |
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Fisher Price LOVING FAMILY New Additions Dollhouse Handle People TEEN Mod Room $29.95 |
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Fisher Price LOVING FAMILY New Additions Dollhouse Handle Baby BATH Furniture $29.95 |
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Fisher Price LOVING FAMILY New Additions Dollhouse Room Handle People Furniture $29.95 |
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Fisher Price LOVING FAMILY New Additions Dollhouse Carrying Strap Baby Nursery $29.95 |
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Dollhouse Miniature people vinyl doll’s Family Set Mon/Dad/baby/daughter New $34.99 |
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Dollhouse Miniature people doll’s Family Set Mon/Dad/baby/daughter New $34.99 |
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Dollhouse Miniature vinyl doll family modern people Dad/mom/girl/baby kids New $34.99 |
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Dollhouse Miniature vinyl black doll family modern people father/mother baby New $34.99 |
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FAMILY CORNERS LACEY DOLL HOUSE MINI BARBIE – NRFB – MATTEL #12653 (c) 1994 $24.99 |
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FAMILY CORNERS JOEY DOLL HOUSE MINI with BABY – MATTEL (c) 1994 $24.99 |
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Dollhouse Miniature Porcelain Victorian doll family people Dad/Mom children /New $29.99 |
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Dollhouse Miniature vinyl modern blonde doll family people Dad/Mom/girl/baby New $29.99 |
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Dollhouse Miniature vinyl Casual doll family people father Dad/Mom/girl/boy New $29.99 |
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2005 Mattel Barbie Happy Family 3 Room Fold Up dollhouse Accessories $16.99 |
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FISHER PRICE LOVING FAMILY DINING ROOM FURNITURE DOLL HOUSE NEW IN BOX $25.02 |
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Fisher price loving family dollhouse furniture $24.99 |
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1993 Fisher Price Dollhouse Family $19.99 |
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NEW Fisher Price Loving Family doll house Mom figure can hold her Baby Girl 1995 $28.00 |
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Lot/8-Fisher Price–Loving Family Dollhouse Furniture-Deluxe Sitting Rm-Dog/Puppy $17.00 |
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LITTLES BY MATTEL 1980 DOLLHOUSE 1:24 MINIATURE FAMILY DOLLS, DAD, MOM, BABY NIP $24.99 |
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BARBIE DOLLHOUSE FURNITURE HAPPY FAMILY BABY,CRIB,CART,HORSE, CHAIR NURSERY LOT! $24.99 |
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Fisher Price Loving Family Grand Dollhouse Kid’s Girl’s Bedroom $29.95 |
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Lot/7- Fisher Price – Loving Family- Dollhouse Furniture-Deluxe Master Bed Room $15.00 |
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1980 Mattel Doll House-Littles family Furniture-Dresser $27.99 |
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FISHER PRICE LOVING FAMILY DOLLHOUSE NEW BORN NURSERY $19.99 |
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ONLY HEARTS CLUB TINY 4″ DOLLHOUSE FAMILY TODDLER LITTLE GIRL DOLL $19.95 |
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FISHER PRICE DREAM DOLLHOUSE LIVING ROOM FAMILY SET $19.99 |
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FISHER PRICE CLASSIC DOLLHOUSE LOVING FAMILY PICNIC SET $19.99 |
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MATTEL BARBIE’S DOLLHOUSE FAMILY TINY BABY NEWBORN DOLL $19.95 |
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dollhouse miniature DOLL CLOTHING FAMILY DENIM 1.12 new $25.99 |
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FISHER PRICE LOVING FAMILY DOLLHOUSE MUSICAL VANITY 99 $19.99 |
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FISHER PRICE CLASSIC DOLLHOUSE LOVING FAMILY PJ SLEEP OVER PARTY SET RADIO PLANT $19.99 |
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Lot/14-Fisher Price–Loving Family- Dollhouse Furniture- Large Miscellaneous Set $16.00 |
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Fisher price loving family dollhouse babies $22.99 |
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Fisher price loving family dollhouse chairs $21.99 |
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Dollhouse Miniature vinyl black Victorian doll family people Dad/Mom/girl/New $19.99 |
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MATTEL BARBIE’S DOLLHOUSE FAMILY TINY BABY NEWBORN DOLL $17.95 |
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MATTEL BARBIE’S FAMILY BABY KRISSY DOLL FOR DOLLHOUSE $17.95 |
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NIB Fisher Price Loving Family Dollhouse 2-In-1 Seasonal Room $16.99 |
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Lot/3- Fisher Price – Loving Family-Dollhouse Furniture-Deluxe Girl Pink Bedroom $11.00 |
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Family Corners BECKY Doll House Doll NRFB! 1994 Mattel $24.00 |
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Fisher price loving family dollhouse baby… $19.99 |
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Fisher Price Loving Family Grand Dollhouse Kitchen Table Chairs Booster Seats $22.95 |
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Fisher Price Loving Family Grand Dollhouse Living Room $22.95 |
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MATTEL BARBIE FAMILY 4″ BABY BOY TODDLER DOLLHOUSE DOLL $14.95 |
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MATTEL BARBIE FAMILY BABY KRISSY MERMAID DOLL DOLLHOUSE $15.95 |
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Fisher Price Loving Family Living Room $22.90 |
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Fisher Price~Loving Family~Dollhouse Western Horse Riding Girl Figure~Sara $22.75 |
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NIB Fisher Price Loving Family Dollhouse Outdoor BBQ Barbeque Set With Grill $14.99 |
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Fisher Price Loving Family Bathroom $22.73 |
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FISHER PRICE LOVING FAMILY DOLL HOUSE dogs pet dog lot $18.62 |
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Mattel Barbie Doll House HAPPY FAMILY RECLINING BABY STROLLER with MESS BAG $19.95 |
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1973 mattel happy family Krissy barbie baby fisher price doll house cradle $18.99 |
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FISHER PRICE LOVING FAMILY DOLL HOUSE FURNITURE LIVING ROOM SET TV+DVD SOFA $13.99 |
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Fisher price loving family dollhouse babies… $19.99 |
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Lot/2-Fisher Price–Loving Family-Dollhouse Furniture-Deluxe Bathroom-Vanity -Tub $8.00 |
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Fisher price loving family dollhouse people $18.99 |
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Fisher price loving family dollhouse people $18.99 |
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Fisher price loving family dollhouse people $18.99 |
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Fisher price loving family dollhouse people $18.99 |
