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Killer Cabinet
Unknown - Enlarge image
Killer Cabinet
- Object:
Dolls' house
- Place of origin:
England, Great Britain (made)
- Date:
1830-1839 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown (production)
- Materials and Techniques:
Lacquered wood
- Credit Line:
Given by Mr J. S. Losh
- Museum number:
W.15: to 389-1936
- Gallery location:
Museum of Childhood, Homes Gallery, case 2
This house is quite special because it is has been set up in a cabinet and not in a miniature building. Both Dutch and German influences can be seen in early English houses of the 18th century but, by and large, by the end of the 18th century the preference in England was for buildings in miniature. Another English example of a cabinet houses is the Westbrook Baby House of 1705. Magnificent examples are to be found in Holland where they flourished for quite some time. The Killer cabinet house is a late example dating to the 1830s although it is probable that the furniture and furnishings are a little earlier
It is known as the Killer house because it belonged to John Egerton Killer, a Manchester doctor, who ordered a copy to be made of a favourite cabinet in his possession for the purpose of amusing the many ladies in his family by providing them with a baby house.
