Oxford author Nicola Lisle pens 'Life in Miniature: A History of Dolls' Houses'

The Oxford author has just published ‘Life in Miniature: A History of Dolls’ Houses’, which tells the story of a collectors’ item adored by children and adults alike for centuries.

Although at first glance the topic is quite niche, it provides an insight into the changing patterns of domestic life.

Mrs Lisle is a perfect case study, having grown up playing with dolls houses before returning to them years later after penning articles for the magazine Dolls House and Miniature Scene.

She even fished out her old dolls’ house from her parents’ home and it remains a cherished possession to this day.

The author said: “I played with mine a lot as a child, but abandoned it as I grew up.

“Writing about it reignited that passion and I’ve still got it with me.

“It’s a bit dilapidated, but my plan is to renovate it at some point – I just need to find the time.”

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The author reveals adults tending to their own dolls’ houses would have been a familiar sight when the items entered mainstream society back in the 16th century.

She said: “Dolls houses started as adult showpieces, but in the Victorian era became playthings for children.

“Now it’s popular for adults to collect historic ones of their own.”

Mrs Lisle is also a freelance journalist and has contributed to a range of publications down the years.

She regularly wrote articles for our sister paper The Oxford Times, as well as the Oxfordshire Limited Edition magazine, for 17 years, ending her association with the titles just last year.

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Mrs Lisle has also contributed to numerous magazines on a range of subjects, from history to classical music.

But it was her articles for Dolls House and Miniature Scene that proved the inspiration for her latest work.

This saw her visit museums and collectors across the country, which she was more than happy to pick up again when researching for the book.

She said: “It was hard work, but I enjoyed writing it. Everybody I spoke to was so helpful.

“Visiting so many places and people was interesting, but it really was a labour of love.

“I went down to Devon for a few days and had to pinch myself to remind me that I was there for work.

“It was like a dream.”

A popular item in Britain since the late 17th century, the earliest known dolls’ house was in the German region of Bavaria a whole century before.

Mrs Lisle’s book features illustrations that show their development over the last 500 years and explores how they reflect the architecture, fashions and social attitudes of their day.

The text looks at the changing role of dolls’ houses in the context of significant events and people.

This includes famous models, such as Queen Mary’s spectacular dolls’ house at Windsor Castle and the 18th-century baby house at the picturesque Kew Palace on the banks of the River Thames.

Mrs Lisle also takes a look at some of the leading manufacturers, such as Silber & Fleming and Lines Brothers Ltd, which later became Triang.

There is an additional chapter on model towns and villages, which only became popular in the 20th century – the author notes how they helps us study the past by capturing scenes of a bygone era.

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The author has attempted to create a comprehensive guide on the subject, with advice for dolls’ house collectors, a detailed directory of places to visit and recommended further reading.

Four of these locations are in Oxfordshire, with Mrs Lisle recommending dolls’ houses at Greys Court, near Henley, Banbury Museum and The Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock.

The latter originally belonged to a Headington family, before it was moved to Cogges Manor Farm in Witney and lived there for many years.

There is also a mention for Fairytale Farm, near Chipping Norton, where the model village is complete with live mice.

The book has a RRP of £25 and is available now.