


Doll's House of Petronella
Oortman
Tortoiseshell cabinet with pewter inlays, and other materials;
anonymous, c. 1686–c. 1710
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
The doll's house is a detailed miniature representation of a
17th-century Dutch canal house, designed as a cabinet with marquetry
of tortoiseshell and pewter inlays on an oak core, crafted by a
French cabinetmaker. It features two front doors with six faceted
windows. The volute legs, arranged in an S-shape twice at an angle,
are connected by scalloped X-shaped crosses. Three drawers are
positioned above the legs. A team of specialised tradespeople,
including woodcarvers, basket weavers, silversmiths, and
glassblowers, were commissioned to create the miniatures. Everything
they made appears realistic, which contributed to the doll's house's
fame. It contains over 1,000 items, including furniture, most of
which are decorated with thin, symmetrical leaves, porcelain,
textiles, upholstery, real running water, and various decorative
objects and finishes that Petronella Oortman (1656–1716) either
commissioned or collected over many years. Real paintings by
Cornelis Dusart adorn the walls of the nursery. Built to scale, the
doll's house includes intricately designed rooms, such as a drawing
room, kitchen, and bedroom, reflecting the daily life of affluent
Dutch citizens during the Dutch Golden Age. Only one original doll
remains. The doll's house stands as a testament to the craftsmanship
of the time and highlights the wealth and high social standing of
Oortman, who would invite visitors by appointment to view it. The
doll's house and its contents were valued at 20,000 to 30,000
florins, roughly equivalent to the price of a real house on one of
Amsterdam's canals.


