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Lot 151
Vintage Dollhouse and Stable, Circa 1915-1920
This half timbered style English-made country house comes complete with stable. The measurements of this imposing dollhouse are 45 ½ inches high, 60 inches wide and 23 ¼ inches deep. The Hosmer House is a large white two storied dollhouse with eight interior spaces tucked under a peaked shingled roof with a prominent double chimney perched in the center of the roof. The roof is further enhanced by three gables, decorative pendants and carved openwork barge boards. The dark timber accents against the white walls is visually striking. The configuration of the dollhouse involves a large center section flanked by two smaller recessed wings. A flat panel that covers the center of the dollhouse is lifted off entirely to reveal the interior while hinged doors swing open to reveal the inside of each wing. There are seven glazed front windows each of which is partitioned into eight sections. The entry door is positioned in the facade of the right wing. The right wing contains the entrance hall on the first level. A beautifully executed staircase connects the first and second levels. The wide staircase ascends to a landing, turns ninety degrees and continues to the second floor hallway. The hand-made needle point carpet of the entrance is the first of six original carpets found in the dollhouse. The rugs are coordinated with the wallpaper in the individual rooms, i.e., a motif from and the colors of the wallpaper were used in the design of the individual carpets. Another feature of the dollhouse are its original lace curtains and velvet parterres that enhance the formal parlor and dining room. The white curtains have some discoloration and could do with laundering. The second floor contains a bathroom (mix of old and new fixtures), two bedrooms and a third room which was fitted out as a library. The wallpaper of the bedrooms clearly indicates that one was the master bedroom and the other was the children’s bedroom. In the library which rests against the left sidewall of the house, there is evidence of an abortive attempt to open up the side wall-for an additional window perhaps. The project was never completed (an oil painting of a street scene in Cape May which I used to hide the scarred wall will remain with the dollhouse). The first floor rooms from left to right are the kitchen, dining room, parlor and entrance hall. In the parlor, a succession of marks above the picture/plate rail suggest that plates were once attached to the wall. These marks are now covered by a 1920s tobacco cards (Irish castles and coats of arms) in individual wooden frames. I found the cards and my husband made the frames. These will remain with the house. The parlor has a bay window, elaborate fireplace and mantle and fretwork accenting the bay window and the doorway between dinging room and parlor. The parlor is approximately 20 inches deep, 15 inches wide and 14 inches high. The dollhouse has been discreetly electrified. A lovely beaded wall mounted light fixture was added to the entrance hall and this vintage fixture will remain with the dollhouse. The construction of the stable, which is 23 inches high, 22 ¾ inches wide and 12 ½ inches deep, mimics the half-timbered style of the main dollhouse. The stable is two stories. The first level is open and reveals two stalls. A removable front panel gives access to the second level which appears to have been a “living” area probably for stable hands or groomsmen. First and second levels are connected by a stairway.
CONDITION: Good (and as noted)
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500 |
