The first dollhouses were used by wealthy Europeans in the 1500s to display miniature furniture and household accessories. First referred to as baby houses, early dollhouses were used to showcase expertly crafted furnishings made from exotic woods, metals, fabrics, and other materials. Dollhouses served as a symbol of a lady’s refined tastes and societal status.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, German toy makers began creating versions of baby houses for children and pairing them with handcrafted dolls, giving dollhouses their current name. By the 19th century, mass production made dollhouses more common in middle-class families around the globe. At the turn of the century, companies in Germany, England, and America produced dollhouses to fit every style and budget.