Exhibition Unveils Queen Mary's Miniature Treasures [PHOTO]
In the United Kingdom, a showcase of exquisite miniatures from Queen Mary's dollhouse has opened its doors at Windsor Castle, marking its centenary. The exhibition, reported by the BBC, features a miniature grand piano, Crown jewels, and even a diminutive vacuum cleaner.
Of particular note are reduced replicas of the Crown jewels, crafted with real diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and pearls. Among other exhibits, a miniature Singer sewing machine stands out, complete with threads and tiny but functional scissors. The display also includes a copper kettle made from coins and a functioning miniature piano.
A grand-scale replica of an Edwardian residence was commissioned as a gift from the nation to King George V's wife after the First World War. Queen Mary, the great-grandmother of the current United Kingdom monarch, Charles III, was known for her appreciation of all things small and decorative. The original idea belonged to her childhood friend and first cousin, Princess Marie Louise, George V's sister.
Queen Mary's dollhouse is considered the world's largest and most renowned. Its creation began in 1921 and took three years, involving over 1,500 leading artists, craftsmen, and manufacturers, including Fabergé and Cartier. The dollhouse encompasses bedrooms for the king and queen, a nursery, a grand salon with red velvet and silver thrones, a dining room, and wide marble stairs. Remarkably, the dollhouse even features electricity and running water.
Inside the dollhouse, there is a fully stocked wine cellar with bottles of fine wine, champagne, London gin, and barrels of whiskey, all filled with real beverages. Additionally, miniature books by famous authors such as Arthur Conan Doyle, A.A. Milne, and Thomas Hardy are housed in the tiny library.
Catherine Jones, the exhibition's curator, expressed her excitement about showcasing the treasures of Queen Mary's dollhouse to a broader audience. "Queen Mary's dollhouse continues to captivate visitors to Windsor Castle, both adults and children alike," she noted.
The exhibition of miniature treasures from the royal dollhouse will run throughout the entirety of 2024.