The 18th Century Room Setting as it appeared in 1917. (C) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

18th Century Room Setting

Curator Sarah Wood found that one of the most exciting parts of redisplaying the dolls’ house gallery at the Victoria & Albert Museum has been reviving the so-called ‘18th-century room setting’. This intriguing group of furniture, cutlery, kitchenware, wooden panels, and dolls was purchased by the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1877 when it was bought for ￡20 from a Staffordshire woman named Mrs. Thornhill.

A detail from the final display of the 18the Century Room Setting

There are many treasures – brass knives with pistol-shaped handles, a delicate green glass funnel and carafes with minute stoppers, a sturdy silver tankard and many silver plates. Kitchen, dining room and scullery items combine with a chest of drawers and bedroom textiles – giving the impression of a house in disarray, a curious collage of contents.

Over the last year, the Museum of Childhood staff has developed a new display for these lovely old things to show them off better than ever before. It is an excellent example of cooperation with the staff at the V&A. Click on the photograph of the 18th Century Room Setting for a link to Alice Sage’s full article.

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.