I have had a life-long love affair with dollhouse miniatures, and careers in art education and interior design. I hope to combine these life experiences to help other miniature enthusiasts get more out of this wonderful hobby we enjoy, a hobby that often reaches the level of an art form. Susan Downing
Two styles of Baroque vie for dominance – Italian and French. In furniture, I vote for the French Baroque dollhouse furniture. The long reign of King Louis XIV (171-1774) marked the beginning of a series of distinct period furniture styles, the first being Baroque. Some of the most beautiful and refined furniture ever made, displaying the highest level of artistic and technical ability, was created in Paris during the eighteenth century.
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Baroque architects took cues from theater design. Just as on a stage set, Baroque dollhouse interiors can use backdrops to give the illusion of infinite space. Just as in a theater, a proscenium, an archway between the stage and the crowd, delineates separate spaces. The concept of theatrical lighting – shafts of focused light (spotlighting) to create shadows in the ambient light, all played roles in how to address space. There was a return to Gothic elements – windows and elaborate vaulting.
The color palette was rich with dark reds and greens. Gold enhanced accent features and decorated the frames of mirrors and paintings.
Baroque interiors are highly detailed, including intricately carved wood paired with luxurious textiles covering furniture and walls, and for window coverings. These fabrics are often damask, with or without floral patterns.
The ceilings were decorated with images of putti (little boys), while plant motifs could be seen in wall decorations.
Baroque style is also distinguished by bold contrasting colors, as opposed to gold and pastels, more prevalent in rococo.
The interiors featured various complex architectural details: religious frescos, and essential characteristics of Baroque.
As befitting church doctrine, the rules of symmetry were critical. This was exemplified in scrollwork, where the letters S and C were favorite subjects. When facing each other, the C-shaped scrolls of the Baroque would line up precisely. In rococo, those scrolls would be askew, breaking the rules, and offering a feeling of whimsicality. Other favorite scrollwork objects were foliage, with and without fruit.
Foliage motifs – A profusion of plant life characterizes the Baroque style.
Initials and monograms, as well as crests
Scrolling foliage and garlands of flowers decorate many objects.
Marquetry – Marquetry is the laying of veneers of different-colored woods onto the surface of furniture. French and Dutch cabinet-makers taught this novel form of decoration.
Putti – The Italian word ‘putti’ means ‘boys,’ and emphasizes the desire to have chubby, well-fed infants on earth, as well as heaven.
Crests and initials – The decorative use of monograms, usually people’s initials, was a particular feature of the Baroque style. Heraldic crests incorporated into designs gave the status and ownership of the symbol.
Lambrequin motif – Baroque interiors were enriched with luxurious textiles. The lambrequin, or tasseled cloth motif, is one of the most common.
Floors are typically made from high-end materials such as solid wood or marble. Large room-sized, hand-woven rugs are placed to soften spaces
Furniture is intricately detailed to accent embellishments with carvings on curved legs. Gold gilding on frames, statues, and pottery are common. Large mirrors, crystal chandeliers, doorknobs, and pulls are used extensively.
Luxury fabrics in damask and floral prints are used for upholstery, wall coverings, and floor-to-ceiling window coverings.
The Baroque style lasted until about 1726, when the asymmetrical Rococo style began to evolve.
Patrick Owens
Baroque architects thought of a building as a kind of giant sculpture, a single mass to be shaped according to their requirements. The idea of movement was also an important element, achieved by the use of curves and counter-curves, which became a dominant motif. When considering a miniature project in this era, remember, the Baroque dollhouse exterior is the first thing viewers might see. Facades utilized columns, pilasters, cornices, or pediments, all of which must appear as a cohesive whole, obeying the strict laws of symmetry.
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Baroque dollhouse sitting room found on Elena Shalaeva Garden Fairies board
The Baroque Style
History
Henry VIII had married his third wife, Jane Seymour. The Ottoman Empire dominated the Mediterranean and most of Asia Minor. Copernicus defied Church doctrine by proclaiming that the earth and all other planets revolved around the sun. Most troublesome for the Vatican, Martin Luther continued to disturb the status quo, proclaiming that God spoke directly to Man, making the Church’s hierarchy unnecessary. (more…)
Categories: Baroque
