The V&A Museum of Childhood, formerly the Bethnal Green Childhood Museum, is a treasure trove of all things “children” – past, present and future.
The museum’s fascinating permanent exhibitions include “Imagine”, which looks at how children play imaginatively; “Be Inspired”, a display of beautiful things from the museum’s collection, including numerous unusual items; and “Explore” which looks at how children learn through play and acquire new skills as they get older. These exhibitions are also supported by a number of temporary displays which is where The Dolls House Emporium was able to help!
Collecting dolls’ houses and miniatures has been a popular hobby, for both the young and the young-at-heart, for hundreds of years. The museum celebrated this hobby with a display of dolls’ houses and dolls from across the centuries, for which The Dolls House Emporium supplied two of its own designs.
The Classical Dolls House, by The Dolls House Emporium, is classical by name and classical by nature. Its three-story Georgian style is most people’s idea of what a typical dolls’ house should look like. It was used in the display as a perfect example of a traditional dolls’ house enjoyed by children now as well as hundreds of years ago.
In contrast The Mackintosh House, a 1:12th scale house based on the designs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, is from The Dolls House Emporium’s Architectural Collection and an example of how intricate dolls’ houses can be. Using authentic details from Mackintosh’s designs this beautiful house is a faithful representative of his style, from the double height hall and “waterfall” light, to the unique staircase with newel posts and galleried landing.
Using these houses the Museum of Childhood was able to demonstrate the varied and enthralling world of miniatures. That’s what we’re here for!


