Dollhouse

Currently not on view

Dollhouse

Mid- 19th century

Artist/maker unknown, American

This large dollhouse is built in the style of a cabinet, which is typical of the early nineteenth century, when dollhouses were made primarily for the amusement of adults. Local craftsmen generally made the houses, and the owners decorated the interiors. These pieces often contained precious "toys" or miniatures, sometimes of silver, and therefore they were commonly fitted with a lock and key. It was not until after about 1830 that toy dollhouses for children began to be manufactured and marketed by toy makers.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Dollhouse

Date:

Mid- 19th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, American

Medium:

Mixed mediums, including wood, paper, fabric

Dimensions:

60 × 48 × 20 inches (152.4 × 121.9 × 50.8 cm)

Classification:

Toys (including dolls, games, puppets)

Credit Line:

Gift of Boyd Lee Spahr, III and C. Stewart W. Spahr in memory of their parents Elizabeth F.W. Spahr and Boyd L. Spahr, Jr., 2001

Accession Number:

2001-103-1(1)

Geography:

Made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

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Currently not on view