Doll Houses First Appearance

The earliest miniature houses were produced in Germany, Holland, and England during the 17th and 18th centuries. The English referred to such houses as baby houses because of their small size; the Dutch called them cabinet houses to describe their placement within a large wooden cabinet. These early miniature houses were essentially small-scale models of the residences of their owners. The diminutive house reflected the expensive furnishings and decorations found in the owner's home, and gave a sense of the daily activities conducted in the household. During this period, miniature houses served not as playthings for children, but as elegant showpieces for adults.

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