Petronella Oortman and Petronella Dunois Doll Houses

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Photo Story by Susan Kramer

Introduction:

The photos of both doll houses on this page were taken by me on my visit to the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, on May 18, 2005.

1. Petronella Oortman Doll House:

In the BBC television production, "The Miniaturist," the doll house used was modeled after the Petronella Oortman doll house c.1686 - c.1710. The BBC production was based on the best-selling novel, The Miniaturist, by Jessie Burton, published in 2014.

2. Kitchen detail of the Petronella Oortman Doll House:

3. Petronella Dunois Doll House:

Here are close up views of the rooms of the doll house Petronella Dunois had made c.1676, one year before her wedding in 1677. The little figures of people in the doll house are dressed in fabrics and authentic costumes of the day. Doll houses at this time were for the wife of the house to play with and display to her lady visitors, rather than for children to play with.

4. The Attic and Laundry Rooms, Petronella Dunois Doll House

Here are close up views of some of the rooms of the doll house Petronella Dunois had made c. 1676, one year before her wedding in 1677. Of note are the silver miniatures in the kitchen. The Dutch are renowned as silversmiths. I particularly enjoy looking at the details in the laundry room on the top floor. Even today in many houses in Holland the laundry is hung to dry near the ceiling on the top floor. At this time in history it was laid over wooden dowels.

5. Petronella Dunois doll house view standing on legs:

The doll house is made like a cabinet and is as tall as an adult.

Doll houses in the 17th century were not made for children to play with - they were the hobby of the lady of the house.

Both doll houses are in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Resource information - Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands