Dolls’ house has lifts, lights and water taps
Windsor: Gift to Queen Mary has been on display for 100 years
A display has been launched to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House at Windsor Castle.
The dolls’ house, which is the ‘largest’ in the world, was built between 1921 and 1924 as a gift from the nation to Queen Mary after the First World War.
It is a 1:12 scale replica of an Edwardian residence, with working lifts, electricity and running water.
The scaled-down rooms of the house range from below-stairs spaces and a fully stocked wine cellar to entertaining salons.
The house features contributions from more than 1,500 artists, craftspeople and manufacturers of the day.
Welcoming visitors ever since it went on display at Windsor Castle in 1925, this year those coming to the castle will see a centenary display of items, which are usually contained in the Dolls’ House, staged in the Waterloo Chamber.
The items range from a tiny concert grand piano, which is fully strung and with functioning keys, to miniature Crown Jewels inset with real rubies, diamonds, emeralds, sapphires and seed pearls.
Items from the kitchens and servants’ quarters include a vacuum cleaner, which in the 1920s was a relatively new innovation, a sewing machine with thread and miniscule scissors that can cut, and a copper kettle made from coin with the King’s head still visible on the base.
The display was launched yesterday (Thursday).
Kathryn Jones, curator of the display, said: “Queen Mary's Dolls' House is a constant source of fascination for visitors to Windsor Castle, as irresistible to adults as it is to children.
“We are thrilled that we can bring the tiny treasures of the Dolls' House to a wider audience in this anniversary year.”
The room which was created to house the Dolls’ House at Windsor Castle almost 100 years ago has also been re-presented for the anniversary.
Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the house’s architect, it includes murals by decorative landscape artist Philip Connard, together with artists Winifred Hardman and Dorothy Cohen.
These murals have been restored and re-lit so visitors can see the detailed scenes of figures promenading and relaxing in the grounds of different royal residences, including Windsor Castle, Hampton Court and Buckingham Palace.
The Dolls’ House has also been re-lit to simulate daylight rather than moonlight and the room’s corner niches have been restored and filled with miniature flowers and plants, which were originally made as part of a seasonal scheme for the Dolls’ House Garden.
The Dolls’ House is also being filmed from a ‘dolls’ eye view’ perspective, giving viewers visiting the Royal Collection Trust’s website from around the world, a chance to explore rooms including the Queen’s library, bedroom, kitchen, and day nursery.
New book The Miniature Library of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House by Elizabeth Clark Ashby, which explores the stories behind the creation of the Dolls’ House Library, and an updated version of Lucinda Lambton’s book The Queen’s Dolls’ House are available to purchase from Royal Collection Trust shops now and from other bookshops from February.
Activities and events marking the anniversary will take place throughout the year.
These will include a Dolls’
House themed family trail for visitors to Windsor Castle and family activities during the Easter holidays.
A series of courses held at Windsor Castle in collaboration with the Royal School of Needlework will feature a private tour of the Dolls’ House and hand-embroidery workshops inspired by the motifs found on upholstery throughout the house.
Viewing of the items from the Dolls’ House is included in a ticket to Windsor Castle now and throughout 2024.
Admission to Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House is included in a visit to the castle.
Windsor Castle is open to the public from Thursday to Monday each week.
For tickets and more information, visit: www.rct.uk