WAY BACK WHEN

The earliest known examples of miniatures are small models of boats, pets, furniture and servants found in the tombs of the ancient Egyptians. These tiny recreations were not toys but items full of spiritual meaning.

The Japanese have been making miniature dolls for at least a thousand years. During the annual Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Festival), held on March 3, Japanese households with girls display dolls representing the emperor, empress and attendants in traditional court dress. Miniature kitchen items and edible miniature food are also on display.

The dollhouse as we know it can trace its roots to 16th-century Europe. Wealthy aristocrats used “cabinet houses” to display small treasures and collections. The First dollhouse built for a child is thought to have been commissioned by the Duke of Bavaria in 1558. This “baby house” was a replica of the Duke’s home, with four floors, 17 doors and 63 windows. It is doubtful that the Duke’s daughter was allowed to play with it. The idea of elaborate miniature houses caught on and became a measure of social standing with European nobles. Mass-production techniques of the Industrial Revolution and World War II made dollhouses affordable enough to be toys for children.

Today, most miniature houses in North America have an open back with an architectural facade in front. European dollhouses usually have a hinged front that opens to reveal the interior. Traditionally, dollhouses were an excellent reflection of how people lived. But many contemporary dollhouses tend to reflect the past rather than the present.