The exterior of the Riggs Dolls House found on the Homes & History Magpie

Riggs Dolls’ House

Two lucky little girls received this dolls’ house as a gift from their father, a London stockbroker, during the 1840’s. There was a great fashion for dolls’ houses at this time, but even by the standards of its day, it would have been an impressive piece. Designed as an expensive gift for the girls, it was also  a way of displaying the family’s wealth and

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Stettheimer Dollhouse Foyer and Glass Elevator found on MonopolThe First Dollhouse

The Stettheimer Dollhouse

Saranac Lake in the Adirondacks was a favorite watering hole of the New York City rich and famous. In the summer of 1916, the upper-class children had a fund-raising bazaar to benefit local children affected by a polio epidemic. Some pestered their parents for contributions, others pestered the neighbors. Carrie Stettheimer, the youngest of three daughters, got wooden boxes from a grocer and created a dollhouse with found objects and scraps. When the family returned home to their West 58th Street mansion, Carrie began her life-long work – The Stettheimer Dollhouse.

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A Brooke Tucker Christmas found on “A Traditional Shabby Pink & Snow Diorama”

Christmas Tree Timeline

The Christmas tree has been a German tradition since the 17th century. But many ancient civilizations decorated evergreen trees and plants as a symbol of eternal life, deriving comfort from this symbol of eternal life during the long winter months. I hope this timeline helps when decorating your miniature for the Holidays.

Ancient Rome

Holly was an important part of the Roman solstice ceremony known as “Saturnalia.” It was believed that the red berries would ward off lightning and evil spirits. However, it had to be carried into the house by a male, as the berries are only on the male plant. Ivy was twined in the holly as a symbol of the 2 halves of divinity.

Druid priests harvested another evergreen, mistletoe, from sacred oak trees on the fifth day after the new moon following the winter solstice. Norse warriors met under the mistletoe to declare a truce for the day. (more…)

The Palladian style Doll’s House c.1735-40. The center pediment shows the Lethieullier coat of arms.

Uppark Dolls House

The Uppark Dolls House has a connection to the most famous doll house in the world — Queen Mary’s. The Uppark country estate is now owned by the National Trust. The Hall is often called, “A giant dolls’ house, perched high on a hill …” Legend has it that the architect that designed Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, Edwin Lutyens, used the Uppark dolls’ house as inspiration.

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