Frans Bosdyk and the Dollhouse on exhibit at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney

The Bosdyk Dollhouse

It took 15,000 hours and many thousands of dollars for materials spent on the work. Frans Bosdyk made most of the furniture, which he researched in ‘Antique Furniture in Australia’ by Anthony Hill, and developed special lathes to turn the tiny wooden parts. He also fashioned his own tiny hand tools from 75-100mm concrete nails to make it easier for him to handle the small pieces. He used silky oak, cedar, myrtle and

Grandma’s Dentures

turn the tiny wooden parts. He also fashioned his own tiny hand tools from 75-100mm concrete nails to make it easier for him to handle the small pieces. He used silky oak, cedar, myrtle and blackwood, which formed the 3mm floorboards throughout. Frans researched styles on how to make lights, lamps, and electric sockets, which all operate from U.S. and European websites and publications.
A Partnership

Christina Bosdyk was closely involved with all construction decisions. She sourced miniature items, decided where everything went, and chose interior decor and dolls. The process was documented in a collection of 800 photographs.

The dolls house is constructed in two sections: attic level and main house level. 

It has twenty rooms set up on five levels, much the same style as the early Dutch dolls’ houses in 1/10 to 1/12 scale. It features aspects of Dutch and Australian life dating from the mid 19th century to the 1950s, and as such, is a wonderful window into the past for young children.

Bosdyk Dollhouse Library

Susan Downing, with Patrick Owens

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I invite you to visit my Etsy Shop where I offer many accessories and pieces of furniture in 1:12 scale.