A marvel in miniature
As well as providing an educational tool for women, dolls’ houses like the one at Nostell were also symbols of wealth and status.
Just as the Winns filled their big house with treasures to impress their guests, no expense was spared in producing a highly crafted dolls’ house.
From doors with working locks, handles and hinges, to a hallmarked silver dinner set and tiny dolls’ dresses with three layers of petticoats, the extraordinary detail of Nostell’s dolls’ house sets it apart from the rest.
A fragile survival
At nearly 300 years old, Nostell’s dolls’ house is a remarkable survival, with investigations by National Trust advisers confirming that almost all the interior decoration is original.
However, it’s been subject to all the agents of deterioration that affect a real-sized house, which have taken their toll.
In 2019, Nostell launched a fundraising appeal to undertake vital conservation work on the dolls’ house and, thanks to generous donations from donors and the public, the team raised over £100,000 to bring this unique treasure back to life.