Exploring the World of Miniatures

Creations in miniature have fascinated cultures and societies for centuries, especially in painting, sculpting, and hand-crafting, particularly of man’s habitat, household and personal items, and the tools and equipment he used to build and protect his surroundings. Miniature enthusiasts will tell you that examples of this art form were discovered in Egyptian tombs said to be over five thousand years old.

This fascination continued through the centuries around the world and became extremely popular in the late 15th and early 16th century with the creation of tiny homes (known as “doll’s houses” in Europe and “doll houses” in North America). Featuring realistic interiors, these exquisite works of art caught the charm of the period and certainly were not created strictly for children as the collection and crafting of this art form became a hobby for many adults. The cost of these tiny homes could actually buy a more modest full-scale house of the times. As you might expect, these dollhouses, while at first strictly hand-crafted became mass-produced following the industrial revolution. And as the cost of creating these magical marvels began to shrink, so too, did the houses they replicated.

Regardless if you see yourself as strictly a hands-off admirer, a collector, or as a beginner artist, there is a broad base of instruction to draw from, as well as information, tools and supplies from a number of avenues to get you started. If, after exploring the world of miniatures, you wish to try your hand at creating these little marvels, you have significant assistance through online books and tutorials available on-line. Suppliers of tools and supplies are excellent sources of how-to instruction as they are invested in their customer’s success.

Take a few minutes and explore this fascinating art form and you will be reminded that, indeed, “it is a small world after all.”