Monday 28 March 2011

Old Fashioned Toy


Illustration Friday - Toy
There is something very appealing about dolls houses, as a child I spent hours arranging and re-arranging  the furniture for my little doll family.  I'm not sure that i pods and computor games can give  the same satisfaction?


By far the most amazing dolls house and one I'd like to see,  is the dolls house built for Queen Mary the wife of George V in the 1920's.  Top artists and craftsmen used their skills to build tiny furniture and perfect working items, including  plumbing and lighting.  The dolls house is on show at Windsor Castle, but you can have a virtual look round here , if you have time to spare!

21 comments:

barbara said...

Wow, I saw it 30 years ago. I was 15 and I was in Eastbourne to study English. I was amazed, I adored little things and that doll house was a dream. That day was also an adventure: our group leader FORGOT me and my friend and left with the bus and the rest of the group, leaving us there, with no money and no cell phones (they did not exist yet back then). Thanks for bringng back adventurous memories :)

Sarah Melling said...

Ooooh, I simply adore this! Might be my fave so far this week. I love the simple, symmetrical composition, too.

Have you ever heard of the Thorne Rooms at the Art Institute in Chicago? They're incredible scale model miniature rooms...enchanting.
http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/thorne

Pearl said...

Wow!

I was fascinated by dollhouses as a child -- all those little rooms with the miniature furniture. Everything is perfect in those little houses...

Pearl

Gillian Mowbray said...

I always wanted one - never had one - don't have room for one now!

What a great subject for the IF theme. So evocative. x

bettyfromtexas said...

I love this rendering. . . so elegant and feminine!! Like something from a children's story book!!

Timaree said...

My sisters and I didn't have a doll house (but we did have a good-sized play house) so we used boxes to fashion rooms and furniture for our Barbies or little girl dolls. This is a wonderful drawing.

martinepittet said...

Lovely sketch that brings back memories !

winna said...

I've seen this in books and loved it--your work looks beautiful--I made a pretty good sized one for my daughter who had three older brothers---and they loved to turn it on it's side, sit in it and pretend it was some sort of truck...I didn't mkae anymore :-)

Anonymous said...

I always wanted a dools' house when I was little - maybe I should get one now - I could make tiny quilts for it!

Natasha said...

Lovely little sketch. This post really reminded me of my mum because she ADORES dollshouses and has one now. She collects magazines and books and can spend hours arranging her little house and collecting all the furniture. Thanks for the link, I think I will take her to Windsor Castle as part of her mothers day present!

Janene said...

This is delightful, Cathy. You got a great sense of depth, while keeping the colors clear and bright.

Unknown said...

I haven't see it but I so love old toys. the craftsmanship is incredible. Great subject, nicely done...as always ;)

Mari Brown and Colourblob said...

Great drawing, this would make such a great illustration for a book or card, lovely... And you are so right about older toys and new toys. I dont understand how kids today find their imagenation in those games. I loved my doll house I had as a kid (I painted murals in them : ) Good times, good times!!

debra morris said...

Great work Cathy, (will check out the link, thanks)

Barbara B said...

Nice painting, Cathy,with great balance and detail. Fascinating link, too.

Alex said...

Really nice! Reminds me of the time I was fixing up the toy doll house for my wife's cousin's little twins. =) fun time!

Unknown said...

I remember seeing this dolls house when I went to Windsor with my mum. Great drawing of it.

Lucia B. said...

What a lovely drawing! I remember that arranging the furniture of the dolls' house was often the best part of the play... even if I didn't have such an elaborate architecture for my dolls!

Revelle Taillon said...

How lovely!

kazumiwannabe said...

Awesome drawing with all the great little details! I loved mine as a child too. I built one for my daughter years ago, but it's not as sophisticated as this one!

Unknown said...

Ah, wonderful memories! I used to love making my own furniture!