10 things about Petronella’s dolls’ house

From the series 10 things...

This elegant dolls’ house is no child’s toy. It was commissioned by the wealthy Petronella Oortman. Neither effort nor expense was spared in its creation. Find out all there is to know about this astonishing dolls’ house!

Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman

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This dolls’ house was not a toy

Though today we tend to think of dolls’ houses as children’s toys. However in the 17th century dolls’ houses were beautiful objects made to display one’s wealth and good taste to the world.

Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman, anonymous, c. 1686 - c. 1710

Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman

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This is a faithful replica of a 17th-century canal house

This dolls’ house is astonishingly realistic, down to a storage closet and laundry room. All the objects are crafted from authentic materials and precisely to scale.

Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman, anonymous, c. 1686 - c. 1710 (detail)

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The dolls’ house could be viewed by appointment

The owner enjoyed amazing visitors with its countless novelties, such as real running water in the kitchen and 83 leather-bound books in the library. Petronella would also open the cabinets filled with clothes and chinaware.

Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman, anonymous, c. 1686 - c. 1710 (detail)

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Dozens of craftsmen contributed to its creation

A team of specialized tradespeople from woodcarvers and basket weavers to silversmiths and glassblowers were commissioned to produce all the miniatures. Everything they made looks real which is precisely what made this dolls’ house so famous.

Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman, anonymous, c. 1686 - c. 1710 (detail)

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The doll’s house cost as much as a real canal house

The dolls’ house and all its parts cost a fortune to make. In Petronella’s day, it was valued at 20,000 to 30,000 florins, which was about the same as the price of a real house on one of Amsterdam’s canals!

Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman, anonymous, c. 1686 - c. 1710 (detail)

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The house contains true masterpieces

Real paintings made by Cornelis Dusart hang on the walls of the nursery. Like Jan Steen, Dusart painted lively, boisterous pictures. He painted two miniature market scenes: The quack and The tradeswoman.

Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman, anonymous, c. 1686 - c. 1710 (detail)

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The lying-in room occupies an important place

Lying-in rooms played a key part in 17th-century domestic and social life. After giving birth, a mother might remain in bed as long as six weeks. Friends and family paid frequent visits. So it had to look picture perfect.

Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman, anonymous, c. 1686 - c. 1710 (detail)

Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman

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The dolls’ house has two kitchens

At the bottom left is the show kitchen, which was used as a dining room and place to display porcelain. The working kitchen is next to it. In here it was all work and no play: tending the fire, fetching water, cooking and washing up.

Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman, anonymous, c. 1686 - c. 1710 (detail)

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Only one doll survives

The only remaining doll is the infant doll with a face and hands made of wax. It is dressed in a christening gown made of pink and blue silk trimmed with ribbons and lace. The doll is swaddled. This was done to soothe them and kept them warm.

Dolls’ house of Petronella Oortman, anonymous, c. 1686 - c. 1710 (detail)

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The house has its own painted portrait

Petronella’s dolls’ house is so unusual that a portrait was painted of it. The picture reveals that the dolls’ house was originally protected by yellow curtains. When the curtains were closed, it looked like a bedstead.

Dolls’ House of Petronella Oortman, Jacob Appel (I), c. 1710