Tiny Things

Christina here and today I’m going to revisit a subject I think we’ve talked about before – miniatures.

I don’t know what it is about tiny things, but they are immensely appealing. Just because they are small, they are much cuter than anything on a larger scale. It’s as if we equate cuteness with size and the smaller something is, the better. There’s an article here explaining the science behind this obsession with miniatures. Basically, it seems to be connected to our instinct to look after anything small and helpless, like a baby. Or maybe we are just nostalgic for our childhood?

A couple of weeks ago I went to a doll’s house fair and I was awestruck by the amazing objects for sale. It’s incredible how tiny replicas of everyday items can be produced, and the care and attention to detail some makers put into crafting them is unbelievable!

I have had a doll’s house since I was a little girl. I first had one of my own, a standard Lundby one (like the one in this photo) which was the only type on sale at the time. These days, you can get much more variety and if you go to specialist fairs like the one I attended, you can basically have any kind of house you want. There were Regency mansions, miniature castles, Tudor cottages, witches’ huts and shops of every variety. I’m sure that with an unlimited budget, you could even have a replica of your own house built. Personally, being a historical romance fan, I would love one of the huge Regency houses complete with attic rooms for the servants and kitchens/scullery downstairs in the basement. Not to mention a conservatory and/or orangery attached to the side. This is just a dream though and I won’t be buying one unless I win the Lottery.

My Lundby doll’s house disappeared at some point, probably taken over by one of my cousins. However, when my grandmother’s attic was cleared, I ended up with something much better – a doll’s house built specially for my mother when she was four (in 1937). As it was home-made, it’s a very crude construction without any of the finesse or finer details of the houses I saw at the fair. But because it was my mother’s, I treasure it and as soon as I inherited it, I went on a redecoration spree. I painted the outside a heavenly blue with white window frames, and I wallpapered the inside with Laura Ashley wallpaper to make it appear a little old-fashioned. That was quite a few years ago now and it could probably do with an update, but I’ll leave that for the next owner (one of my daughters).

Some of the original furniture remained as my mother had been a very careful child, although some had disappeared or been damaged by others rooting around in the box at various points in time. I loved the old pieces and over the years I have added to them with finds from all sorts of places. There was a fantastic shop in Maine (can’t remember if it was in Kennebunkport or Newburyport) where I found some amazing things, and another one in the middle of Stockholm that I visit whenever I’m there. Really, wherever you go, you’re bound to come across miniature things and my collection keeps growing to the point where I’m going to have to have a cull soon.

That didn’t stop me from buying a few things at the fair though and I’d like to highlight some of the things I saw and/or bought. Have a look at these and tell me you could have resisted:-

For those of you who remember the children’s programme The Magic Roundabout, look at this tiny Dougal! He’s just adorable and so well made.

Anyone into Egyptian antiques? I just had to have this little Anubis! He is extremely heavy and seems to be made of painted cast iron.

 

 

Every doll’s house needs food, so of course I had to get a game pie …

 

 

… and some chocolates for dessert.

 

 

 

… and this jug of milk just looked too real for me to be able to resist!

 

 

These miniature ravens were even more irresistible (as you may remember, I have a thing about ravens). One of them is even made with real feathers!

All these items were made with precision and love, and here are some of the things I did manage to resist buying (although there’s always next time … ):-

A doll, chinoiserie furniture, vegetables, toiletries, a Viking drinking horn! (yes, I should have bought that but it was just too expensive as it was made with real silver), ...

 

... glassware, rococo furniture, tiny asparagus!, carpets, cushions, tapestries and so much more.

The Japanese are particularly good at producing things in miniature and a lot of items are for a specific purpose – to go with their Hina doll sets. Hina dolls are for the festival of Hinamatsuri – or Girls’ Day – which is on 3^rd March each year. It is a festival which is celebrated by displaying a set of dolls that represent a Heian period wedding, but are usually taken to be the Emperor and Empress and their court, all dressed as befitted the time. Most girls have a set of these, although not all are elaborate, and the displays can include all sorts of things like furniture, food and accessories. I became fascinated by these when I lived in Japan and had the huge honour of being shown a magnificent set owned by our neighbours who were descendants of the Tokugawa Shoguns. When I got the chance, I bought some for myself (see photo). Although my set is incomplete, I still love it and every time I visit Japan I buy additional items. How could I not when they are so exquisite?

I don’t think I’ll ever stop being entranced by tiny things and at least they have the added bonus of not taking up much space!

If you could have anything in miniature, what would it be?

Comments

[Mary M.]

When I first moved to Arizona, I was fascinated by the Native American art. Among my favorites for collecting were the fetishes, small carvings of animals in many types of stone, from 1 inch to 4 or even 5 inches in length. Some are primitive looking, others rather abstract. A favorite was/is a smoothly stylized turquoise bear with a pink salmon in its mouth.

[Christina Courtenay]

Wow Mary, those must be amazing! I would want to collect them as well. They sound a bit like Viking amulets for luck, although those were usually made of metal. Lovely!

[Anne Gracie]

Lovely blog, Christina. I also love dolls houses and tiny things, and have since I was a little girl, though I mostly make my own tiny things. I think I fell in love with dolls houses when I first read Rumer Godden's The Dolls House, and later on her, Miss Happiness and Miss Flower, which were about little Japanese dolls. Gorgeous stories and I always wanted to make a Japanese dolls house, as the little girl in the story did. If you don't know these stories, I strongly urge you to get them. I'm sure you'll love them.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dolls-House-Rumer-Godden-ebook/dp/B01IDAMBGO/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Miss-Happiness-Flower-Rumer-Godden/dp/144729274X/

[Christina Courtenay]

Thank you, Anne, that sounds great and I'll look those up! I like making things as well, but I'm not very good at it. It's such fun though, isn't it!

[Alice Mathewson]

Hi Christina. I had a Lundby dolls house too and I loved it! I spent hours playing with it and designing extensions, as I wanted to be an architect. My mother still has it, even though she has moved several times since I left home and her granddaughters played with it when they went to stay. Thinking of books on dolls houses, there was a very good one called The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton that gave an insight to the Dutch obsession in C17th and was unsettling to say the least. Maybe that is another attraction for us? Thank you

[Christina Courtenay]

Yes, could be, Alice! I'm glad you had a Lundby house as well - it was fun to play with and I loved it. I think all doll's houses are lovely as they take on the character of the owner and it's up to us to put our stamp on it. So glad yours is still being used!

[Teresa Broderick]

When I was a child, more than anything in the world, I wanted a dolls house!! I loved them. We had no money, absolutely zero pennies so a doll's house was a pipe dream. We used to have Cornflakes for breakfast every morning and at one time they used to have offers on the back of the boxes. For a certain amount of coupons and 99p you got a gift One of them was a doll's house. It was made of cardboard that you slotted together and all the 'furniture' was painted on to the walls. I got it for my birthday one year.
I made furniture from match boxes and bed clothes from bits and pieces. I loved that house and played with it so much it actually fell to bits.
Thanks for the memories Christine that this post brought back.

[Christina Courtenay]

That sounds perfect Teresa and I’m glad you got so much enjoyment out of it. You must have had such fun creating all the accessories!

[Mary Jo Putney]

Christina, just looking at all those exquisite little things makes me feel clumsy! It takes amazing skill to do such work. The Japanese miniature dolls are stunning.

[Kareni]

What a fun post, Christina, and great pictures. Yes, that asparagus is impressive!

I'm trying to think of a miniature that I'd like. Ah ha, I'd like a miniature Monet. Ideally painted by Monet!

[Christina Courtenay]

Thank you, Mary Jo! Yes absolutely, me too - I was in awe of the skill needed to produce some of those items.

[Christina Courtenay]

Thank you, Kareni, so glad you enjoyed it! Great idea to have a miniature of a favourite painting - for me it would have to be one of the Pre-Raphaelites.

I'm kicking myself now for not buying the asparagus but there's always next time ...

[Karin]

I have a collection of tiny animals. They are all made of different materials and from different countries. Everything from a Venetian glass goldfish, and a little soapstone bear from Russia, to a brass camel from Dubai. I don't know how I got started, but now when I see an animal that's not in my collection, I always want it. If the price is right!

[Christina Courtenay]

That sounds lovely Karin! And being miniatures they won’t take up a lot of space - perfect!

[Vicki L]

My sister has been making all kinds of things for her doll house this past year. There are all kinds of FB groups, etc. out there besides all kinds of really cool tools.

It is truly amazing how realistic she can make miniature foods that look EXACTLY like what they are supposed to be. Those asparagus are awesome.

She has made all kinds of furniture as well. I just can't conceptualize the pieces nor get the sizes right. But I enjoy watching her!

I love pottery but after awhile there is only so many places you can put them. But miniature pots...I love those because I can indulge in buying pottery and yet still find a spot on the shelf for them.

[Christina Courtenay]

Oh yes, you can never have too many tiny pots! It sounds like your sister is making some amazing things - I’ll have to check out FB for doll’s house groups!

[Jeanne Behnke]

Love Love Love this! I adore dolls houses. Growing up, I had one I shared with my sister made by my Dad. Then I had the first Barbie dreamhouse which was made all of cardboard & could be folded away for storage purposes & it had a carrying handle. I had it till at least 11 years ago when we moved to California and didn't have room after the downsizing. To take up the void I have fairy houses, doors & other miniature fairy things. I definitely have to force myself to "not buy" another thing. Good thing I don't have a bigger house or more space!

[Christina Courtenay]

Thank you Jeanne! I didn't know the first Barbie dreamhouse was made of cardboard - fascinating! I've only ever seen the plastic ones. And your fairy houses and fairy miniatures sound amazing!

[Anne Hardy]

When my parents moved into their first (and only) house that they purchased, in 1963, they had some renovations done by a carpenter who lived nearby. He said that he had always wanted to make a dolls' house, so my father asked him to make a replica of their new house for me. He did, in proper 1/12 scale (which I didn't recognize until I became an adult). I still have it, and furnished it and installed electricity in it over the years. Some of the furniture belonged to my grandmother when she was a child, and was rescued from oblivion by my father.

[Christina Courtenay]

Oh wow, Anne, I'm green with envy here - that sounds fabulous! And I love inheriting things. I treasure the things I inherited from my mother the most.