Petronella Oortman’s Dollhouse

In 1686, this dollhouse was gifted to Petronella Oortman, wife of wealthy merchant trader, Johannes Brandt. She had every item fit to scale and commissioned cabinetmakers, glassblowers, silversmiths, basket-weavers and artists to furnish her doll house to replicate her own. There are two beautiful ceiling paintings: one in the nursery room- by Dutch landscaper and painter, Nicolaes Piemont, and one in a marble-floored hallway, portraying Aurora, The Goddess of Dawn. Also in the nursery is a gold-framed mirror, wicker baby chair, beautiful curtains and silk screens. There are another two gorgeous paintings on the chimney-piece, by Willem Van Royen.

In the kitchen, there are the most magnificent tableware and utensils. Oortman’s specially ordered dishes from China sit in a dresser against the wall. And last, but not least, within the kitchen floor is a ‘Hidden Cellar’, seen only when the drawer is removed. The amount of precision that went into the creation of the house and its unique artworks are what bring it such high value.

Price: $18,000